I need to purchase 5 Type I life vests.

Any recommendations on where I can find the best pricing Southeastern MA/RI?

I got mine at Defender.com
I also got a strobe light for each.

Consumers Marine in New Jersey. Google and you should get there online store. Good prices and decent service. Got just about all my electronics there.

Cape Fish in Chatham. That was the cheapest of everybody. I think they were under $30 when everybody was close to $50

Sandwich Ship Supply on Tupper Road, very close to Sandwich Marina.

Which ones does everyone have on their boat? I was looking at the straps on the cheaper ones (34.99) and it looks like they would be difficult to put on if you were in a hurry.

I got mine at West Marine, I just brought in the Hamilton marine catalog and they matched the price. The strobes I got from MPI outdoors in NH.

Which ones does everyone have on their boat? I was looking at the straps on the cheaper ones (34.99) and it looks like they would be difficult to put on if you were in a hurry.

As far as putting on jackets goes, if you have to put them on in a hurry, your already screwed. Having a Type 1 vest is not a bad idea. It may be a better idea to have one or two automatic inflatables. OK, some say "I'll get an inflatable but a manual and save a few bucks." Not a good idea, the chances are higher that you'll fall overboard and hit your head rendering you unconscious and underwater than the lower percent chance having your boat sink. Buy the jacket that your going to wear. It will save your life.

As far as putting on jackets goes, if you have to put them on in a hurry, your already screwed. Having a Type 1 vest is not a bad idea. It may be a better idea to have one or two automatic inflatables. OK, some say "I'll get an inflatable but a manual and save a few bucks." Not a good idea, the chances are higher that you'll fall overboard and hit your head rendering you unconscious and underwater than the lower percent chance having your boat sink. Buy the jacket that your going to wear. It will save your life.

very true..Have you or anyone else ever had one of the auto inflatables inflate in the rain or after getting wet. I have read some things that say they inflate if they are in the rain for too long becasue they work on a dissolving "aspirin-like" material that is designed to dissolve and trigger the cartridge.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search.do?freeText=Type%20I%20life%20vests&page=GRID&history=

I don't know what prices should be though.

Yes I have, and until now it has not been an issue. The pill is a "bicarbonate" base, as far as I understand. Kept mine in my hold, which is really nasty moist, and mildew prone, like most boats. The pill finally disintegrated last season. The recharge with pill cost me $40.00 bucks at West Marine, which means you can probably find it a little cheaper.
If I were concerned about accidental inflation, and the rain/wind/seas were that bad, I'ld just put a regular life jacket on. My concern is like seat belts, they do not work unless you wear them. Especially on those bluebird days and nights.

The auto infaltable ones are AFAIK C.G. Approved type I nad if you charter you must have C.G. approved Type I with a strobe attached.

'Dem was the rules when we had the tour boat. one Type 1 for every man, women and child (special type 1's if they are under 90's)