Throwable cution, ring buoy ? What do you use?

[roadkill636]

Here in missouri we have a boating law that each vessel must have a coast guard approved "throwable device".
Most small boaters have the typical square throwable cution.

Years ago my dad gave me a Taylor Made ring buoy like the orange one pictured below and its still in like new condition.
Just wondering what everyone else has on their boat and what you like and dislike about it.

[Euroski]

I got the cushion which is legal in PA along with the others pictured. Don't think it matters as long as U have one. But the cushion stores easier.

[Ted Stryker]

cushion doubles as a seat

[rock]

I have always used a cushion with a rope tied to it.. In Illinois there has to be a rope tied or it doesn't count.

Rock

[transomstand]

Been boating 57 years and have never thrown a device to anyone so I cannot offer a preference on type based on any user experience. I keep a cushion on board.

[delawarerick]

Cushion have never thrown it but under the deck or when hemroids flare up sit on it.

[transomstand]

I have always used a cushion with a rope tied to it.. In Illinois there has to be a rope tied or it doesn't count.

Rock

First rule of marine lifesaving.....NEVER tie a line to a throwable device. If the victim is 26 feet away and the line is 25....guess what happens. Same goes if the line snags.

So it makes perfect sense to me that it's THE LAW to tie a line to it

[CDave]

Cushions and life vest. IIRC in La. you have to have one for every person plus one throwable.

[roadkill636]

Last week i had to throw my life ring to a group of people that got cought in the Mississippi river current and could not get back to shore. It was both parrents and 3 kids.

They all were on the down river side of a sandy island and in 4 feet of water and was franticly waving me down ad i drove past. I got over to them and they yelled that they are being pushed into deeper water from the current. I imeditly thru the ring buoy then took off my life jacket and thru it to them.

It was theit 1st time in the mississippi and didnt realize that just because you can touch sand in 4' of water dosent meen that you can walk back to the sandbar in 4' of current.

The drop pin is where they were at. About 200yards out in the river on a shallow sandbar

[Glasstream15]

My boat is 15'. Don't need one.

[tux974]

Cushion style here in all my boats! They are legal and required here.
As for a rope tied to it. It all depends who I maybe trying to save..... some may just get that oops, the rope is too short....

[flabum1017]

I always just had the coushion, for a rope, use a 50' 1/4" nylon with a snap ring on it so you can choose between throwing it with the rope or without.