liferafts

[seafoam]

We are looking at buying a life raft. What are the main differences between an offshore and a coastal model? What are some features to look for and info on the servicering needed? We are looking for a 4 man one in either a soft or hard case.

[sailingdog]

Will this liferaft be stowed on deck or down below? If you're stowing the raft down below, a soft case is usually a good idea, since it is far lighter and easier to deploy. If it is going to be mounted in the cockpit or on the cabintop, a hard case makes a lot more sense, as it will protect the raft and is easier to mount.

Coastal models are generally more lightly built, often don't have double tubes or an insulated floor. They also often don't have water ballast pockets.

[speciald]

Add 2 to the size of the raft for better utility (4 people=6 person raft). remember that the purchase is not the entire cost as re-packs add to the cost. I would tend towards a deck or stern pulpit mounted haard case. Dragging a soft pack out of a lazzarette in an emergency isn't practical.

[wunhunglo]

The differences between models vary between manufacturers, but some of the differences are:
- Number of tubes
- Double / inflatable floor or single floor
- Canopy or no canopy and type and ruggedness of canopy
- Features like boarding ramps vs rope/webbing ladder
- Contents of the survival kit

I'd expect to see a coastal raft having a smaller amount of survival supplies due to proximity to a coast and probably less time in a raft. With respect to the rest, I can't see the logic in there being any fundamental, structural differences.

e.g. cold water is cold water whether coastal or ocean, therefore I'd always get a double/inflatable bottom. Similarly, wet and exposed crew need a canopy irrespective of proximity to a coastline. In addition, an inflatable boarding ramp is the only effective way for exhausted crew to get into a liferaft, irrespective of being a mile from shore or 1000 miles.

As an aside, I'd also get a model that has a dark liner to the canopy. It's been proven that the fluorescent orange or red has a tendency to disorient the occupants or there's a link between unlined canopies and incidents of seasickness. From my own experience, I know that the darker liner seems to have a calming influence.

Personally, I'd only get a canister version. In a crisis and short handed, I think a valise below decks is adding a great deal of self-rescue risk.

What kind of cruising are you doing and in what temperature of water?

The Viking brand have a more industrial strength 4 person and the "Yachting" version, but they are both very functional.


Yachting - VIKING Liferaft, 4 persons RescYou™ Pro


VIKING Liferaft, throw overboard, 4 persons, type DK+

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that many liferaft manufacturers have gone to vacuum-packing the liferafts and that has extended the time between re-packing the raft.