Where Is The Best Place To Store Lifejackets And PFDs?

ByMathew F Updated on

The best place to store life jackets and PFDs is on the top deck of a boat in storage bags and marine nets underneath T-tops and hardtops.

This can be in clear carry bags or boat kits and storage nets affixed to the hull, bow, or cockpit on the top deck.

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Life jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) save lives.

Federal and state laws require all sailboats, motorboats, canoes, and kayaks to store at least one US Coast Guard-approved life jacket per passenger when boating on the water.

But, storing life jackets and PFDs can present a challenge, with limited space on many vessels.

Designated storage units and available spaces found underneath boat seats also represent a good place to put PFDs as long as these areas are not locked or have any equipment covering them.

They are an essential part of overall boat safety and need to be stored where it’s easily accessible to all passengers in times of crisis.

Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Life jackets and PFDs are best stored on a boat’s top deck in storage bags or marine nets.

2️⃣ They must be easily accessible in emergencies and kept in cool, dry areas.

3️⃣ The US Coast Guard advises against storing them in locked compartments or below deck.

Where Is The Best Place To Put PFDs While You Are Out On Your Boat?

The best place to store life jackets and PFDs on a boat is where it’s easily accessible to all passengers on board.

The top deck is an ideal location, keeping PFDs easily accessible to all passengers. For larger vessels, consider distributing PFDs in multiple areas to ensure everyone can reach them quickly if needed.

When not in use, store your PFDs in cool, dry, and dark spaces to prevent mold growth and UV damage. Avoid cramming them into tight compartments or placing heavy objects on top, as this can compromise their effectiveness.

For fishing boats or vessels with limited deck space, consider using a heavy-duty storage bag designed for T-tops.

Sailboats may have additional storage options depending on their layout. Always prioritize accessibility over neatness when choosing a storage location.

Remember, the best PFD is the one you’re wearing. Encourage passengers to wear their PFDs at all times, especially in rough water.

Here are some recommended storage options:

Where-Is-The-Best-Place-To-Store-Life-Jackets-And-PFDs

Storage nets are an ideal way to create a space for life jackets and PFDs on your boat. A storage net is similar to a marine net used underneath a T-top or hard top, with the exception being that you can permanently affix it to parts of your boat via screws and hooks.

You can install storage nets in the following boat areas: 

  • Sides of the bow
  • The starboard side behind the console
  • Under gunwale caps across the inside hull area
  • Across open bow area (when there’s storage space underneath the bow of your boat) 

Most storage nets’ design allows the net to be removed without having to unscrew it by simply unhooking the hooks. 

Boats that are fitted with T-tops offer an excellent place to store life jackets. Investing in a T-top storage bag made from marine grade polyester that’s water-resistant and treated for UV is recommended, as these storage bags are easy to install.

Storing life jackets and other PFDs in the air keeps them safe from passengers’ feet and the sun and is easily accessible in an emergency.

An added bonus of using a storage bag is that life jackets are exposed to flowing air through the net, which helps prevent mildew and insect damage.

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Savvycraft T-Top Heavy Duty Marine Grade 600D Polyester PFD Storage Bag
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Boats fitted with cabin space can be used as storage space for life jackets and PFDs. Life jackets can be mounted against the cabin wall using hooks and stored under passenger seats if there’s space.

Ideally, you don’t want to keep the life jackets and PFDs in an enclosed space simply because it could be the area affected during an emergency (fire and flooding).

If your boat is fitted with seating options and space between the seat and the floor, then you are more than welcome to store life jackets and PFDs here. Central console boats are typically fitted with bow and stern seating that you can use to store life jackets.

The main thing to consider is how easy the action of removing the seat cover is and if the life jackets fit into the space without the need to contort it (force fit).

Many boat manufacturers include a specially designated life jacket and PFD space in the boat’s design.

These storage compartments are inserted where it makes the most sense in the overall boat design and can be inserted in the stern, bow, helm, or hull areas of a boat.

Using designed storage spaces is good and well, as long as they aren’t locked or difficult to open.

Passengers must be informed where life jackets and PFDs are kept before any trip on water commences.

If the captain of the vessel stores life jackets in designated storage spaces, he needs to show his passengers where they are stored and how to take them out in the fastest fashion.