Throw cushion color?

[Ky Grady]

Question for the masses, something I hadn't really thought about yet till now.

What is the best color for a throwable cushion? My boat came with what use to be a white cushion but over the years and weather exposure, it is a light shade of grey. Picking up a new one for next week and thinking more about visibility in the water. Was looking for safety orange, but all that's available are the rings. Colors are red, white, blue, yellow, camo for the square throw cushions. Camo is out for obvious reasons, blue would blend in to the water to much, white would get lost in the horizon if you're looking across the water for a person, that leaves red or yellow. Opinions on either color?

Thanks

 

[DennisG01]

Something to think about... have you ever tried to throw one of those? Remember the first time you tried to throw a frisbee... it ended up 80' feet to the right of the person you attempted to throw it to? I know they are required to be on board, but there are better solutions for the emergency times...

A throw bag. Can be used over and over and over by just gently stuffing the rope back into the bag. It will pay back out nice and smooth every time... and it throws exactly where you want it! I've thrown one probably 50 times over the years while teaching a safe boating class. Stuff it back in and it throws perfect every time.

Examples:
https://www.airhead.com/rescue-throw-bag.html

https://www.kentsafetyproducts.com/p/rescue-throw-bag-75-ft?pp=24

But, to answer the question... I'd stick with white or yellow.

 

[Fishtales]

I'd get the most comfortable first. WM has some that are nice on top of a cooler for a pad. I agree with Dennis. Get a good throw bag and attach it to your hardtop support.

 

[Uncle Joe]

I have several on my 24 Offshore....I keep them out all the time so I got blue to match other new upholstery on the boat. If you throw it so far from a swimmer that visibility is a problem you should probably be trying something else though.

That throw bag looks great though....I think I am going to get one.

 

[DennisG01]

Another advantage to the throw bag is that once the person grabs it, you can pull them towards the boat - instead of relying on the frantic person to swim for themselves in what might be adverse conditions. A line on the throw cushion "helps"... but is very awkward and will likely be in a rat's nest of tangles.

A quick sidepoint... For those that don't know (who knows might be reading this)... the LAST thing to do in a MOB situation is to dive in yourself as now there are two people in the water. Reach... throw... then go. And don't forget to put your OWN lifejacket on first!

 

[SkunkBoat]

I have a yellow square Type IV throwable PFD and a bright orange Scotty throw bag. Both are on the dash ready to go.

A throw bag is not a substitute for a Type IV throwable pfd.

If someone is overboard without a PFD, you should be throwing them a PFD(without a rope) before you go trying to get a line to them.

West Marine had a choice of yellow, red, white and blue. I went with yellow because it will stand out the most at night.