Although I'd like to buy four Hoover FV-35E vests, I don't do enough flying over water to justify the $300. I do fly along the CA coastline and would like to take an occasional trip to Catalina Is. I noticed that MajorSurplus offers Navy surplus (circa 1987, never issued) vests for sale. Do these accept commercially availabe CO2 cartridges like those offered at West Marine? Is this a bad idea anyway? Thanks.

I looked at the vests when they were first offered. Yes, they are unissued. They are also 15 years old without warranty. Major has generally good service, but that is little comfort 26 miles across the sea. Our waters between the islands are one of the deadliest; rip tides, kelp beds to tangle in, great whites and that most feared denizon of the deep- the pleasure boater.