www.iFourWinns.com

1. I am looking for recommendations for a life vest for baby. My youngest son will turn 1 next week and we are having trouble finding a vest that will fit around his big neck comfortably. The ones we have tried are too tight.

2. Recommendations for online boating supplies. I usually buy from West Marine or Overtons

3. My f224 is 2 years old with 100 hours on it. I have not changed the impellar yet. Should I. I have read mixed reviews

4. When in the world will this weather change. I just heard that the lake that I dock my boat at still has a few feet of snow! Come on spring.

I can help you with number 2...

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

1. Mustang Lil' Legends are the best infant/toddler vests. They aren't cheap, but they are totally worth the cost. As far as fitting your lil' guy, well, I guess you just have to try it and see.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

#3 - Yes. Check your anodes too.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Can help with 3 & 4

3. definitely change it, better to change it on land than be upside down in the engine compartment with waves rocking the boat
4. move further South. Haven't seen snow all winter, have had beautiful weather past 3 months with temps in the 70's and clear blue skies

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

On #2, I find that West Marine & Overtons are too high priced. I like to use WholesaleMarine.com, Defenders.com & Boatersisland.com.

On #3, you are not stating what type of engine & drive you have.

I second that. Not cheap but when it comes to an infant life vest you shouldn't be looking for cheap.

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'01 Vista 298

1. We went with a neoprene infant vest from Bart's Watersports for our little guy and it worked out well. Tough to say on the fitting around the neck, but my son was a butterball at that age and it fit him just fine.

clicky

3. Agreed all around on the impeller replacement. Cheap insurance.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

1....again. The suggestion for the Bart's neoprene vest is good for a a child that is less than 30 lbs. Neoprene is far more cofortable than the nylons or other options available.

That being said, make sure you know your local laws and abide by them.

In Michigan here is how the law reads:

"Michigan law requires all children under 6 years of age to wear a USCG—approved Type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any vessel."

Last spring I had a friendly Sheriff's Deputy visit us while on the water for the first time. I had my then 1-1/2 year old in a Mustang Infant vest (type II). Legal. My then 4 year old was wearing an OBrien neoprene vest (Type III) it fit her pefect and was very comfortable for her. It wasn't legal. Luckily the deputy was in a good mood and mostly was just looking to educate and let me know that she needed to be in a type II vest. She was about 47 lbs at the time so the typical infant vests that are type II would not work since they are limted to 30 lbs. Let alone the fact they would be too small to be comfortable. Sort of last minute before our next outing I ended up getting a West Marine type II vest that is good up to 50 lbs. It looks uncomfortable, but it is blue (her favorite color) so she was ok with it. I have yet to get a replacement. She is now 5 so she will still need to be in a type II this summer. I'm not sure what to do. I'll probably end up with a Mustang Youth size (50-90 lbs), HOWEVER, even though it has a collar, it is a TYPE III vest. I'll also probably need to get a Child size (30-50 lbs) for my now 2-1/2 year old.

I haven't been able to find a local retailer that has the Mustang Lil' Legends brand on the shelf. There are places online that have them at decent prices. This is an item, I'd really like to see (trial fit) before I buy.

If anyone knows of a Type II vest that will work with a child between 40-60 lbs, let me know.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

Thanks for the information. I have a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXI
New York State requires either Type I, II, III vest.

Where do you boat? Big water, buy a good quality life jacket for your 1 year old due to safety issues. In-land, buy a POS like we did because he will outgrow it in 4 or 5 months and saftey isn't as important. Either way, make sure you buy one where you can snatch the little sucker out of the water if he gets into trouble. We boat in-land and knew that our boy would outgrow his life jacket in less than half a year so we bought cheap.

Our boy at 9 or 10 months.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY