CGA vests and NCGA vests

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

Hey guys, new guy here. Also a new Wakeboarder..

Anyway, can someone please explain the difference between these two???

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

CGA will float you if you knock yourself out. Non-CGA may or may not float you. Some Non-CGA vest do not provide much float at all.

You can die wearing a non-cga vest. However they are probably the best selling vests on the market. Most shops sell way more comp vests than CGA or at least that is what I see at Boardstop.com.

Newer CGA vests are getting less bulky and have better fit. One of the best selling CGA vests I have seen is the Hyperlite Special Agent. I think the Helium makes a CGA Swat vest and that is also a good vest.

Check your state laws because in some states you do not have to wear a CGA vest when you ride but you must have a CGA vest in the boat for every person in the boat.

NCGA/Comp are terms used for non-approved vest so make sure you check them before you buy depending on what type of vest you want. If you are looking in a store check the inside label. They will even go as far as saying THIS IS NOT A LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

Thanks for the info flix!

I'm probably not going to get one now.

But those new Oneill comps look pretty sick.

Calexan · Newbie Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 22 City: Little Rock

So how are the cops in yalls areas pretty knowledgeable about CGA and NCGA life jackets. Ever had any of them stop you while riding to tell you they could tell it was NCGA? Im just curious if i should try to test the cops. I know two of my vests are NCGA but i count them as jackets for people on board which i know wouldnt count if the cops knew what they were doing....

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

Calexan, I do not know honestly. There is never cops at the place I ride.

Calexan · Newbie Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 22 City: Little Rock

Yea.... I was just curious. Ya know how they will stop a boat and say "lemme see a life jacket for everyone on the boat" kinda thing.... Just curious if they would instantly spot a NCGA jacket or while I was riding could point one out.

Figured Id ask if anybody had ran into any cops like that.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

They will ask to see the vest. they will look inside and see if the vest is printed with CGA or not. they know what to look for.

What we do on our boat is I buy 4 packs of the orange 'wally' vests. I keep 4 of them on the boat at all times. That give us 16 CGA vests(UGLY CGA vests but CGA). then it does not matter what our team riders or regular guest bring. We are covered under the Texas CGA rule. We have had to pull out all 4 bundles in the past to show the lake patrol. The Non-CGA vest just sit in the boat and they cannot ticket you for having the vest as long as you have a CGA for each person in the boat. Kids under 12(maybe 13) in Texas have to be WEARING the CGA vest. No on the water is different. If you are behind the boat then the non-cga is ok or no vest at all is ok. Kind of crazy rules since being out in the water seems more dangerous than being in the boat.

check your state for sure. I am not aware of the lake laws in other states. Another example is Texas does not require a flag or a 3rd person. Some states require both.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

flixmaster, OK is the same. I think it is 12 before they don't have to wear a vest. Our rule is our boys put their vests on as soon as they get in the boat before we launch, and they don't come off until the boat it back on the trailer in the parking lot. We're pretty fond of using CGA vests. I'd rather be safe and have a little less mobility. I've crashed after a long run before where I'm really out of breath, and it's nice to be able to just flip on your back and relax instead of trying to keep your head, or body, floating.

MasonH, I bought new vests for the wife and I. Both are the O'Neill Law CGA vests. They fit snug and seem to have a lot more mobility than the vests we had. I got mine on ebay for around $60 and hers from a dealer in CA on closeout for around $70. Now is the time to buy and you can pretty easily count on finding a good vest like that for about 50% off.

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

Thanks for all the help guys.

Oh nevermind Okie..I see you bought the law! EDIT.

mgs917 · Addict Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 532 City: Spartanburg

Check out the cwb essential vest. I bought one new for around 75 dollars. It has less material than other CGA vests I have tried and it has large arm holes. Just another option.

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

I will mgs, thanks.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

I have a 08 red essential 2XL that is new with tags.

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

Flix, i'm a tiny dude. I need a xs. I might get a LF Watson cga aprroved one.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

I do have some small Special Agent Hyperlite vests. One on ebay right now for $15 bucks I think. Check boardstop on ebay.

MasonH · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 422 City: Eufaula

I'll check it out, thanks.