What is the general opinion on the importance of an Inflatable Life Raft when Coastal Cruising? Would you sail in the ocean without one? Even if only 5-10 miles out?
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M
Miles
Hard to argue against safety but...
we do lots of coastal cruising (5-10 miles out or further) without a liferaft. Southern Cal. waters are so crowded with boats that I figure chances of a relatively fast rescue are good if something catastrophic should happen. On a long ocean passage a liferaft is probably a good idea but for coastal cruising I'd say it's in the optional catagory. Just my opinion, I know others who won't leave the dock without every safety gadget known to man. Don't let the lack of a liferaft keep you from enjoying your boat! On the other hand if you have a few thousand $$ burning a hole in your pocket and want a new boat toy (that you'll hopefully never use) I'm sure West Marine can help you out...
we do lots of coastal cruising (5-10 miles out or further) without a liferaft. Southern Cal. waters are so crowded with boats that I figure chances of a relatively fast rescue are good if something catastrophic should happen. On a long ocean passage a liferaft is probably a good idea but for coastal cruising I'd say it's in the optional catagory. Just my opinion, I know others who won't leave the dock without every safety gadget known to man. Don't let the lack of a liferaft keep you from enjoying your boat! On the other hand if you have a few thousand $$ burning a hole in your pocket and want a new boat toy (that you'll hopefully never use) I'm sure West Marine can help you out...
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Greg Ketley
Dinghy instead..
I cruise Long Island sound out to Martha's Vinyard and always have my Achilles with me. It may not be as safe as a life raft but I am always in VHF and cell phone range of other boats and the CG so I would think that help is always pretty close...
I cruise Long Island sound out to Martha's Vinyard and always have my Achilles with me. It may not be as safe as a life raft but I am always in VHF and cell phone range of other boats and the CG so I would think that help is always pretty close...
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Dan Jonas
Liferaft
This is one of those questions where the answer has a lot to do with geography and most of the answers will probably be right given the responders sailing area. I'm not sure how the water off Maryland is, having not sailed there. Off San Francisco, where I have sailed, a liferaft is standard equipment. Don't get me wrong, I'll poke my nose out the gate without one, but probably not more than a few miles from the bridge. The Pacific Ocean, in this part of the world can produce waves from 6-12 feet on any given day, some days more. Pulling our Achilles in those conditions is not possible. I would also not want the distraction of pumping it up while the boat was sinking either, so that is not an option. Also, the water is pretty cold here. If you go in, your survival time is not going to be very long. If I were in Southern California, like one post, I would travel to Catalina without a liferaft, but I probably would tow the Achilles, just in case. Offshore sailing has inherent risks. These go up as the conditions get worse. Maybe I'm one of those that don't leave the dock without everything, but I do keep a personal EPIRB in my pocket if I'm on the deck at night, or daytime if alone, or if sea conditions warrant even if there is a full crew onboard. I'm tethered if outside mile rock anytime outside of the cabin. And if I go more than a few miles out, it is in a boat that is equipped with a liferaft and EPIRB. It all depends on the sailing conditions. Might not hurt to ask your passengers (crew) what they think too. Thsy might be a little annoyed to find out they are sinking along with their captain, who decided that a life raft was unnecessary. Might not live long enough to drown. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
This is one of those questions where the answer has a lot to do with geography and most of the answers will probably be right given the responders sailing area. I'm not sure how the water off Maryland is, having not sailed there. Off San Francisco, where I have sailed, a liferaft is standard equipment. Don't get me wrong, I'll poke my nose out the gate without one, but probably not more than a few miles from the bridge. The Pacific Ocean, in this part of the world can produce waves from 6-12 feet on any given day, some days more. Pulling our Achilles in those conditions is not possible. I would also not want the distraction of pumping it up while the boat was sinking either, so that is not an option. Also, the water is pretty cold here. If you go in, your survival time is not going to be very long. If I were in Southern California, like one post, I would travel to Catalina without a liferaft, but I probably would tow the Achilles, just in case. Offshore sailing has inherent risks. These go up as the conditions get worse. Maybe I'm one of those that don't leave the dock without everything, but I do keep a personal EPIRB in my pocket if I'm on the deck at night, or daytime if alone, or if sea conditions warrant even if there is a full crew onboard. I'm tethered if outside mile rock anytime outside of the cabin. And if I go more than a few miles out, it is in a boat that is equipped with a liferaft and EPIRB. It all depends on the sailing conditions. Might not hurt to ask your passengers (crew) what they think too. Thsy might be a little annoyed to find out they are sinking along with their captain, who decided that a life raft was unnecessary. Might not live long enough to drown. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
I wouldn't
Personally, I could think of many many other things to buy with the thousands of dollars a liferaft would cost IF, IF IF I was coastal cruising. If I was planning on long ocean crossings, it would definitely move up on my list but still might not make the final cut. LaDonna
Personally, I could think of many many other things to buy with the thousands of dollars a liferaft would cost IF, IF IF I was coastal cruising. If I was planning on long ocean crossings, it would definitely move up on my list but still might not make the final cut. LaDonna
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Jim WIllis
Get A TINKER inflatable
That's what I did. Makes a great dinghy that rows and even SAILS. It comes with an inflatable canopy and CO2 cylinders also a sea anchor. If it inverts, you can right it from the INSIDE! Have a look at www.Tinkers.com One nice thing. Can you imagine "bailing out" into something that you have to climb up into, have to right from the inside and has no means of propulsion as you are being blown quickly onto a lee shore! The classic inflatable liferafts (as opposed to a lifeboat that you can truly escape in) were originally designed for ditched pilots, with air rescue as the only way out. They cost about the same as a TINKER that does it all. I have owned mine since 94 and the quality is great. Even has roll up floor and inner and outer tubes for "unsinkability". Jim W
That's what I did. Makes a great dinghy that rows and even SAILS. It comes with an inflatable canopy and CO2 cylinders also a sea anchor. If it inverts, you can right it from the INSIDE! Have a look at www.Tinkers.com One nice thing. Can you imagine "bailing out" into something that you have to climb up into, have to right from the inside and has no means of propulsion as you are being blown quickly onto a lee shore! The classic inflatable liferafts (as opposed to a lifeboat that you can truly escape in) were originally designed for ditched pilots, with air rescue as the only way out. They cost about the same as a TINKER that does it all. I have owned mine since 94 and the quality is great. Even has roll up floor and inner and outer tubes for "unsinkability". Jim W
S
Sean
off shore
For coastal cruising I wouldn't worry about it, due mainly to radio accesable traffic. What I find funny is that I grew up fishing off shore on the gulf coast and typically would not even wet a line until 25 - 30 miles out. We never even thought about a life raft. I have friends that go out for two to three days on nice Bertrams and Hatts 120 plus miles off and they still don't have liferafts. I never thought twice about it until I started sailing. There is definately a difference in the safety consciousness of sailors vs. off shore fisherman.
For coastal cruising I wouldn't worry about it, due mainly to radio accesable traffic. What I find funny is that I grew up fishing off shore on the gulf coast and typically would not even wet a line until 25 - 30 miles out. We never even thought about a life raft. I have friends that go out for two to three days on nice Bertrams and Hatts 120 plus miles off and they still don't have liferafts. I never thought twice about it until I started sailing. There is definately a difference in the safety consciousness of sailors vs. off shore fisherman.
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