The Crewsaver costs more than other vest-style inflatable PFDs, but we think it’s worth it. The inflation chamber on the side with the inflation tube is larger than the other side to enhance righting action.

All recreational boats must carry one wearable Coast Guard-approved PFD (Type I, II, III, or Type V PFD) for each person aboard. As each year passes, more inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) find their way to the marine marketplace. But not all of them are Coast Guard approved.

The PFDs without Coast Guard approval are usually made overseas and carry a European safety designation. Boaters in U.S. waters can’t use these PFDs to comply with Coast Guard regulations. A European-made vest, the Crew-saver Crewfit 150N, was Practical Sailor’s top choice for an inflatable in a nine-model test published in the Oct. 1, 2004, issue. …