Do I need a liferaft?

[Xpat]

I am looking at essential gear for a new boat and thought that it might be better to save the cost of a liferaft which hopefully I would never use, and invest in a good rigid tender with a flotation collar and sails, plus some sort of waterproof cover. My intention is to coast hop to the Med and stay there, with no plans for ocean voyaging. My only previous experience is with flotilla sailing, ie crappy inflatable and a liferaft in a bag.
Comments and advice please.


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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I will be surprised if you get an answer to this one. You are asking a question which implies someone else can make a decision on your safety or security.

This one, IMO is up to you.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[Woodpile]

You could buy a recently serviced second-hand one for the trip down, make sure you don't use it, and flog it on when you get there. You might even make a profit.

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[snowleopard]

rafts aren't just for oceans in fact i'd say you are more likely to get into that sort of trouble within 50 miles of land.

if buying secondhand, either go to a reputable service agent or someone you can trust, never buy sight unseen from a stranger, there were reports a couple of years ago of used liferaft canisters containing just some rubbish to provide a realistic weight.

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[tcm]

Not bothering with a liferaft is like not bothering with fire insurance - you don't need it until you need it.

In france, on french reg boat, they make the decision for you and you must have a liferaft beyond a certain size of boat and lots more kit besides.

Admittedly tho, it could be a quite skintified and not ocean-class liferaft - just enuf to stay afloat for a day or so i wd think wd be okay.

The rubber duck will be ok to jump on to if the boat sinks or bursts into flames in fair weather, not if there's any waves. And there are loads and loads of waves between here and the med.

The liferaft in a bag need only be *just* enuf for yr crew to get into. I wd not have a prob about a 4-man for six people for example. Although, with a boat rated for 12 people i have 2x 6 man liferafts.

But as tother poster said, it's you who does the dying, not us.

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[Clive_Rigden]

"Do I need a liferaft? "

Dunno - where are you ?

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Seriously though, John, I'm surprised, as a R.A.F. pilot, that you even asked the question. Surely you, of all people, should be aware of the necessity of expecting the unexpected and I doubt whether you'd dispense with a parachute merely because you were "only" indulging in low-level flying . . .

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[Xpat]

Julian, perhaps you misunderstood the purpose of my post. To make an informed decision I need input, and this is a great place to get it. When the time comes I shall make the decision myself, based on information I have gathered from various sources. Apparently 80% of boats that are abandoned due to weather stay afloat. I thought therefore that when abandoning for other reasons such as fire or collision a buoyant tender with a means of propulsion and some protection from the elements might be preferable to a liferaft. It would save money also but that is only a secondary consideration.

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[ianwright]

You could rent a life raft for a season,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, much cheaper.
IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Guest]

Yes.



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[Xpat]

Hi Khyber, I wouldn't dispense with a parachute without an alternative method of floating down to earth, but in this case there is an alternative method of staying afloat when the boat dissapears below the waves.

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[iangrant]

I often think about what if when out sailing and the main one is what if something happened and the boat started to sink, catch fire etc.... Even a short distance from land I believe you need a canister liferaft, ready to deploy.

I'd really not like to be looking for the dinghy pump with the water level rising!!!

Save on some luxury stuff by buy a liferaft, but I think you know that already..

Ian

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[brianhumber]

Re: YES

I would advise yes. Some of the worst short choppy seas and winds I sailed through whilst in the MN were in the Med. Liferafts are the last resort and you must only use them when the yacht is sinking from under you, but what happens if the rig comes down cause you have not spotted one of the minstral's coming from nowhere and which can blow 40/50kts for easily 8 hrs and knocks a hole in your yachts side? for example

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[StugeronSteve]

Posting it back from the med might cost a few quid though.

IMHO a liferaft is essential kit on any boat making an offshore passage, along with an epirb (must buy one meself).

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Xpat]

Good point Ian, I was thinking more of a rigid such as a Walker Bay with a flotation collar but I guess that would take some time to launch. Maybe not if it was on davits or being towed though?

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[mirabriani]

Re: YES

"Minstrals"
I have a vision of little dancing men in brightly coloured outfits and hats knocking holes in boats.
Perhaps you mean Mistrals
Pleased to be of help
Briani

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[brianhumber]

Re: YES

Fair cop,
but seriously one of the worst jobs I had to do was oversee the changing of a run shaft bearing in the Spring when going up to Genoa. Fully laden 25,000 tons and we were rolling 40degrees plus.
8 hours later and sea calm again

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[StugeronSteve]

If towed it would probably have inverted in any sort of seaway and would take some righting.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Clive_Rigden]

Point taken ref. the parachute, John, but what would an alternative be?
Similarly with a liferaft. The dinghy option is something to consider, especially if it can be used as an heavy duty tender, pleasure sailing craft &c. but as a last resort and considering restrictions such as space, time in an emergency and conditions, a modern enclosed and equiped liferaft is I.M.H.O. an essential item of cruising kit.
Yes, more people are lost because they abandon ship too early but when that time does come, as someone else said, you don't want to be faffing around with a swamped dinghy - if it hasn't been carried away by the elements anyway, that is.
Sorry if I appear to be harping on . . .
Oh yes And, have a good cruise!

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Clive_Rigden on 09/09/2004 16:24 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Talbot]

Do you need a liferaft - yes

However for your needs you might combine requirements and go for a tinker star traveller with liferaft kit and canopy as welll as the sail kit. The tinker will be a better boat as a tender, might weigh a little less (but the tinkers are not light) But the decision on whether this is the correct plan will also depend on number of crew, (and dont forget you will also need a grab bag)

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