life rafts

[BlueSkyNick]

No mate, now I have been home and read the mag, I might have a rethink!

<hr width=100% size=1>I can't be bothered with a footnote - it's usually rubbish anyway.

 

[Ruffles]

Dissappointed they didn't test a 'budget' model as well. Mines a second hand Lazilas (ex hire). I often wonder whether it's worth all that lugging up and down the companionway every weekend. Especially since I often tow a dinghy anyway...

Anyone seen one inflated?

Rob.

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[Malish]

I, like others, was amazed by the Zodiac response - it adopts a defensive approach that I would expect to be used by a dodgy second hand car saleman or estate agent rather than an international company selling life saving equipment. I'm looking for a liferaft at the moment, doubt that it will be a Zodiac.
I was also worried by the next article in YM about liferaft servicing which reported that inflation cylinders can become disconnected over time - surely the use of a drop of nutlock or similar would not add too much to the cost of manufacture or servicing.
Finally, those who believe that liferafts are not really necessary for coastal cruising should consider the article in the same YM where a father and son most definetly needed their liferaft one night just off the Thames Estuary

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[Anwen]

Re: Liferafts are a waste of money

I agree with you Robin. We bought a 4 person Seago, not because we expect to need it due to problems in heavy weather, but because if the boat caught fire, I want something which our daughters can get into and not have to rely on staying afloat wearing life jackets until rescued. I view this as 550 well spent.

Like you, we are marina based, and dont often have the tender available for use whilst sailing.

Regarding the main focus of the thread, I agree that a liferaft is a waste of money if it doesn't inflate. I too was amazed at the replies from Zodiac regarding the poor performance of their product. I'm glad I bought the Seago, which has recently been extensively tested in the Irish Sea.

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[Fin]

Compare the zodiac response to the attitude of McMurdo when their fastfind GPS EPIRB had problems getting a position off the satellites. They did an immediate investigation and then recalled all affected units to modify/beef them up to clear the problem. I also believe they put the modified version up for an independent test to verify that they had cleared the problem. I've just bought one because of the responsible way that they have sorted out the problem.

i know what what sort of company I'd trust my money with and, more importantly, my life.

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