A true life raft must be capable of deploying fast in all kinds of conditions, from a sinking to a fire. It must then hold up and sustain the crew until a rescue is possible. While it is not a Coast Guard requirement for most recreational boats to carry an approved life raft, it's a good idea to purchase one.
LIFE RAFT BASICS
The Coast Guard does not require recreational boaters to carry an approved life raft. Marine specialists agree, however, that if you go offshore, regardless of your boat's size, you should carry one. Even if you only travel close to shore, a life raft is a good idea. In waters colder than 78 degrees (all of the Great Lakes), hypothermia can occur within two hours.
In tropical waters, protection from the sun and heat stroke are also factors.
There are three basic life raft designs: coastal, offshore and oceangoing. Coastal rafts are intended for quick rescue situations, when help is expected within a day. They are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to deploy and store. Open a flap on the valise and extend the painter line, then give a hard pull, and the raft inflates automatically in less than 30 seconds, thanks to the self-contained CO2 inflation system. Because they're intended for quick rescue, coastal life rafts lack features needed for long-term survival. That's where offshore rafts come in. They expand survival time to four or five days, with features like canopies. Most marine experts recommend purchasing an offshore raft, regardless of whether you intend to go offshore or not.
"There are several types to choose from; single tube, twin tube, automatic erecting canopy, manual erecting canopy, the simpler the life raft, the less expensive it will be. A single tube, manual-erect canopy life raft will be the basic, no-frills life raft."
Oceangoing rafts are equipped for survival of at least 30 days. They are required on commercial vessels and some international racing vessels. They are generally made of more durable materials, include heavy-duty ballast systems and carry a price tag to match.
Life rafts also vary in size. Manufacturers use a certain formula to configure the size of each raft, which includes calculating the weight and height of a midsized adult. The buyer must determine what the average size and maximum number of people is typically aboard there boat and factor this in to the actual size life raft needed.
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STOWAGE OPTIONS
Where do you plan to stow the raft. A compact raft can be stowed below deck, but it does no good, if there's no one capable of getting it out. There are few cockpit lockers that have lid dimensions to allow easy removal of a raft. So, plan on storing your life raft on deck when under way for your safety.
Life rafts come in soft, flexible valises for below-deck storage or durable fiberglass canisters for deck mounting. Valise rafts tend to be lighter and therefore easier to take from boat to boat. A typical model rated for six people and with a canopy needs two and a half to three cubic feet. If your raft is stored in a properly designed locker, it will be less likely to be washed overboard in heavy weather. With proper care and maintenance, a valise-style life raft can be used for years.
Canister type rafts are bigger and heavier, but there's good reason to choose them. Even though protected from the elements, a valise style isn't as rugged as a life raft packed in a canister. The canisters can be mounted on deck in a cradle and have an option of a hydrostatic release mechanism. If the boat starts to sink, the hydrostatic release would inflate and release the life raft automatically.
EQUIPMENT AND COSTS
When you select your raft, consider the survival equipment pack it contains and add to it. Many have no food, watermakers, flares, or first-aid supplies. But they often have space to add more things, such as spare glasses, medication, fishing gear and duct tape. Of utmost importance are signaling and communication devices, a fully charged handheld radio, plus a small solar charging kit, would be helpful. If you have an EPIRB and you chose a deck-mounted, canister-style raft, attach it so you and your EPIRB will drift together.
Of course, buying a life raft brings up the important question of cost. This in turn brings another question to mind. How much is your life worth? Valise life rafts tend to be less expensive initially, though they also tend to cost more to repack after they deploy. Also, price competition among manufacturers is fierce. Overall, costs can range from $1100 to more than $6,000, plus a few hundred dollars in maintenance. There are also extras, such as the gear packed into the raft and the mounting mechanism. The hydrostatic release retails for about $100.
Most life rafts must be inspected and repacked each year to keep the warranty in effect. They also need repacking after deployment. It's a good idea not to stretch the time limit, because a raft can deteriorate quickly if it suffers water damage, and gas cylinders need to be weighed and valves inspected to ensure the raft will inflate when needed. Rafts are also folded differently each time they are repacked so that wear doesn't occur in folded seams.
Repacking also offers the opportunity to perform minor repairs and prevent them from becoming major more expensive ones. Seek out a re-packer who is a certified technician and approved by your raft manufacturer. Re-packers generally welcome owners to examine their rafts to become familiar with them and perhaps add items to their equipment packs. It can be frustrating to have to pay hundreds of dollars for inspection and repacking, especially if you don't cruise much, but its money worth spending when this is the one item that could save your life. You may never use it, but better to have the right equipment on board in case of an emergency than to find out the hard way that you’re tender isn't capable of saving your life.
When your looking for a life raft, be sure you take a look at CLR Marine, we offer life rafts by REVERE and SWITLIK.
CLR Marine LLC
http://www.clrmarine.com
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