removehtml]I'm starting to look at liferafts, including on ebay. I see some 6 person rafts for coastal use that are for sale for under $1,000. I saw a six person Winslow coastal raft for $750 (plus needs inspection - about $1,000 additional). Then, I see that some manufacturers, such as Winslow, sell a new one for $3-4,000 while WM sells one that has an equivalent rating for around $2,000. Any thoughts, comments, recommendations?Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
liferaft
- Thread starter John
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TommaysBeware of older rafts
If at all possible, I would only purchase a used raft that is less than 10 years old and currently certified. Certification costs around $700, assuming the valve isn't obsolete, and on rafts older than 10 years, the chances that the raft can't be re-certified because of obsolete valve, rot, or bad glue increase quite a bit.
If at all possible, I would only purchase a used raft that is less than 10 years old and currently certified. Certification costs around $700, assuming the valve isn't obsolete, and on rafts older than 10 years, the chances that the raft can't be re-certified because of obsolete valve, rot, or bad glue increase quite a bit.
Be wary of capacity
Make sure you check out the capacity (6 person?) as it is apparently a common experience that the rating from the manufacturers overstate what is actually available. Best way: ask the seller to open it up and crawl inside. I recommend Sal's inflatables across the road (on a side street) from Swensens marine. I bought my inflatable from them and they were very knowledgable and helpful. In their shop, I noticed they do a lot of work for law enforcement and commercial folk. A good sign. Even if you don't buy from them, it would be a good place to gather info. Also, they put stuff on sale every year at the boat show. Good luck. Sanders s/v Good News Alameda
Make sure you check out the capacity (6 person?) as it is apparently a common experience that the rating from the manufacturers overstate what is actually available. Best way: ask the seller to open it up and crawl inside. I recommend Sal's inflatables across the road (on a side street) from Swensens marine. I bought my inflatable from them and they were very knowledgable and helpful. In their shop, I noticed they do a lot of work for law enforcement and commercial folk. A good sign. Even if you don't buy from them, it would be a good place to gather info. Also, they put stuff on sale every year at the boat show. Good luck. Sanders s/v Good News Alameda
household brands
I would assume that the household brand names like Winslow as well as the West Marine in-house brand are pretty accurate as far as capacity. Do you agree? (By the way, we anticipate maximum four people plus two dogs, so I figure a six person would be just about right.)
I would assume that the household brand names like Winslow as well as the West Marine in-house brand are pretty accurate as far as capacity. Do you agree? (By the way, we anticipate maximum four people plus two dogs, so I figure a six person would be just about right.)
SAIL magazine, or one of those glossies
did an extensive series of tests last year. Check their websites out. Some findings may surprise you.
did an extensive series of tests last year. Check their websites out. Some findings may surprise you.
It never ceases to amaze me
The stuff people come up with when They don't know anything about them. I have a 6 person Avon in a hard shell. They come in either hard or soft. They have to be inspected ANNUALLY past a point in time. So, do you really need one? To get them certified costs $700 or more. Six might be TOO BIG. It's a survival raft, not a motel. Bigger doesn't mean better because, say you have a 6 person with two in it and it blows around in a circle and you two are on one side. It would be lopsided. The wind can pick up the side with no weight and blow you over, and over, and upside down, etc. They old ones were made with a material that might fall apart as son as you try to use it! Apparently they switched materials a while back, and it different for each manufacturer as to when. So you have to go with a new one only you don't know what a newer one is cause the owner says "Its used. What do I know what it's made out of?" d) A liferaft built in accordance with Special Regulations Appendix A part II shall either have a valid annual certificate of new or serviced status from the liferaft manufacturer or the manufacturer's approved service station, or when the liferaft has been built to follow the option of an extended period between initial services the liferaft, provided the manufacturer so specifies, shall have its first service no longer than 3 years after commissioning and its second service no longer than 2 years after the first. Subsequent services shall be at intervals of not more than 12 months. (MoMu1,2) So, you can't buy to big of one, or too small of one. And there are inshore and offshore models.
The stuff people come up with when They don't know anything about them. I have a 6 person Avon in a hard shell. They come in either hard or soft. They have to be inspected ANNUALLY past a point in time. So, do you really need one? To get them certified costs $700 or more. Six might be TOO BIG. It's a survival raft, not a motel. Bigger doesn't mean better because, say you have a 6 person with two in it and it blows around in a circle and you two are on one side. It would be lopsided. The wind can pick up the side with no weight and blow you over, and over, and upside down, etc. They old ones were made with a material that might fall apart as son as you try to use it! Apparently they switched materials a while back, and it different for each manufacturer as to when. So you have to go with a new one only you don't know what a newer one is cause the owner says "Its used. What do I know what it's made out of?" d) A liferaft built in accordance with Special Regulations Appendix A part II shall either have a valid annual certificate of new or serviced status from the liferaft manufacturer or the manufacturer's approved service station, or when the liferaft has been built to follow the option of an extended period between initial services the liferaft, provided the manufacturer so specifies, shall have its first service no longer than 3 years after commissioning and its second service no longer than 2 years after the first. Subsequent services shall be at intervals of not more than 12 months. (MoMu1,2) So, you can't buy to big of one, or too small of one. And there are inshore and offshore models.
EPIRB FIRST
Never, NEVER, buy a used life raft that doesn't HAVE AN UP TO DATE INSPECTION. Over half of the used life rafts will not pass inspection. It's a 50/50 gamble, you may just be throwing your money away. Inspections used to go for 750, now it's more like 1000 to 1500. That's a year. You must fill a life raft to at least half capacity to keep it stabil. That means 2 people in a 4 man, at least 3 in a 6 person life raft, or it will not be stable. For coastal sailing an inflatable dinghy works fine. Don't worry about a life raft untill after you have a New EPIRB. For coastal sailing and sailing in more populated areas you will get a responce to your EPIRB in less that 2 hours in most places, faster in some areas. You can hang out in a life jacket for that time. Unless the water is too cold in your area you sail. Without the EPIRB the life raft will only prolong the inevitable. In cold areas on small boats such as Mac's an exposure suit may be a good option. Still, get the EPIRB. The new EPIRB's have GPS built right in them, strobes built in. The new EPIRB's send your posistion vessel ID and a homing signal. These have gotten smaller and cheaper over the years. The new personal locators can be just as good as an EPIRB, except their batteries only last about half as long. On the other hand the batteries in the personal locators are user replacable, so if you carried a spare set of batteries they would transmit for as long as the EPIRB, and you wouldn't have to send it in every other year for service, about 3-400. The personal Locators are small and can be clipped right to your life jacket. For a Mac in warm water a personal locator clipped to a good type 1 life jacket should do. Save the life raft money and get a second personal locator then if one should fail you would still have a back up, and all that would be cheaper and better than a life raft.
Never, NEVER, buy a used life raft that doesn't HAVE AN UP TO DATE INSPECTION. Over half of the used life rafts will not pass inspection. It's a 50/50 gamble, you may just be throwing your money away. Inspections used to go for 750, now it's more like 1000 to 1500. That's a year. You must fill a life raft to at least half capacity to keep it stabil. That means 2 people in a 4 man, at least 3 in a 6 person life raft, or it will not be stable. For coastal sailing an inflatable dinghy works fine. Don't worry about a life raft untill after you have a New EPIRB. For coastal sailing and sailing in more populated areas you will get a responce to your EPIRB in less that 2 hours in most places, faster in some areas. You can hang out in a life jacket for that time. Unless the water is too cold in your area you sail. Without the EPIRB the life raft will only prolong the inevitable. In cold areas on small boats such as Mac's an exposure suit may be a good option. Still, get the EPIRB. The new EPIRB's have GPS built right in them, strobes built in. The new EPIRB's send your posistion vessel ID and a homing signal. These have gotten smaller and cheaper over the years. The new personal locators can be just as good as an EPIRB, except their batteries only last about half as long. On the other hand the batteries in the personal locators are user replacable, so if you carried a spare set of batteries they would transmit for as long as the EPIRB, and you wouldn't have to send it in every other year for service, about 3-400. The personal Locators are small and can be clipped right to your life jacket. For a Mac in warm water a personal locator clipped to a good type 1 life jacket should do. Save the life raft money and get a second personal locator then if one should fail you would still have a back up, and all that would be cheaper and better than a life raft.
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