Buying a liferaft.

[billmacfarlane]

I'm in the process of buying a liferaft but it's very difficult to judge the quality of the ones for sale. ST magazine did a test on some of them and I remember there was one that stood head and shoulders above the rest of them . Does anybody remember which one it was ?

 

[david_e]

Mag tests

Without having them in front of me to check, I seem to remember a mag (YW) doing a review of equipment used by those on the the ARC or similar, will try and look it up tonight for you.

 

[dickh]

I also remember the article, I think it also came to the conclusion also that you only get what you pay for! I'll try and find the article tonight.
dickh

 

[mickp]

I took a 21 year old liferaft for a service and was told it was in vgc and was good for another 8 years. It was an Avon. I was told that there are not many makes which will last that long. Incidently it was in a valaise and had only been serviced once in 21 years ?

 

[Gordon]

Lifeguard forties A or B

 

[billmacfarlane]

Thanks for that - nm

nm

 

[david_e]

Re: Mag tests

Sorry, couldn't find the mag.

 

[billmacfarlane]

Re: Mag tests

Thanks for the effort. Gordon has found the name of the liferaft and I'll order one today.

 

[bedouin]

I believe the article you are refering to was published a couple of years ago and so would now be out of date.

IIRC, the recommended liferaft was a Zodiac 'Kadematic' - which I was unable to find anywhere and I don't think is made any more. The current Zodiac is also a very nice liferaft - perhaps my favourite 4 man.

As Gordon says, the Forties are always highly rated, if a little expensive. Of course if money is no object then there is always the new Avon, £2,500+

 

[billmacfarlane]

I got quoted £1906 for a 4 man Avon Modula valise. I've decided to go for a Lifeguard Forties at £985.

 

[MartinGPerry]

I spent an interesting hour or so at Suffolk Sailing nr. Ipswich having my Plastimo 4 man offshore raft sorted - an air leak in the inner airtight bag which caused the canister to swell and break the seals.

Despite being 5 years old and 2.5years after last service they changed it at no charge under warranty - thats what I call good service.

They service and sell all sorts of liferaft, very interesting to talk to them about different liferafts and what they find when servicing them. Suprisingly they rate Plastimo highly, certainly mine when opened from its cannister and remember its over 5 years old was like new, they were less complimentary about Avon citing problems with the rubberised fabric- - they had one inflated that looked in a very sorry state.

When I buy another raft I will certainly get a price and an opinion from these guys - they get to see just about every raft on the market and as far as I am concerned magazine reviews on new liferaft are all very interesting - its what sort of state it will be in after a few years that matters to me.