Liferafts

[nicho]

I've got to buy a liferaft for the new boat (4 man valise should be OK), but there is a wide choice at considerably differing prices:

Arimar @ £550
XM @ £799 (ORC spec)
Lifeguard @ £936 (ORC spec)
Plastimo @ £733
Plastimar @ £750

I cannot be arsed to hire one as and when needed, so will buy. Our cruising grounds will initially be South Coast, followed by trips across the Channel, C.I. and Britanny later. Question is, bearing in mind our anticipated passages, will the cheaper Arimar be adequate? Ther's no way I'll compromise safety for a few quid, but if they all do the job in question adequately, why pay more?

Any thought/experiences would be very helpful

Thanks

Mike N.

 

[Cornishman]

A couple of points for you to think about when making your purchase:
Liferafts went PC about 20 years ago, and you will now need to ask for a 4 PERSONS model (Ugh!)
If you are bent on having a valise remember that it should be stowed in a watertight compartment dedicated for the purpose. This means that it has to be easily accessible and made ready for launching, whereas a hard packed can be stowed on deck with painter lanyard permanently tied to a strong point. Saves time in distress situation. Think about a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) too.
All the makes you mention are reputable, but make sure that you will have easy access to a liferaft servicing station for the make you decide upon. I once knew an owner who insisted on a Dunlop (he was a dour Scot) and was most unhappy to find that the nearest Dunlop servicing station was about 100 miles away from where he kept his yacht, while there was an Avon station just down the road which would not look at it.
Good luck with your cruising and don't forget to get a free RNLI SEACheck.

 

[JMM]

Also look at Viking, in Hamble Court.

They are expensive, about £1,200, but are also self-righting which may be a life-saver!

Jon M.

 

[FlyingSpud]

About a year or so ago both PBO and ST did comparisons of main Liferaft designs in the same month if I recall correctly. They were very similar in their views. It may be worth getting a copy off of them.
The main concern was about getting into the raft upright while you were in the water and then getting into the thing. The next issues were just how secure you would be in the raft.
Given the areas you are talking about, you are unlikely to be castaway for days or weeks at an end, so things such as insulated flooring are probably not so important.
XM would not put their raft into either test, if I recall correctly, so make of that what you may.
The Viking was the best I think, closely followed by the Zodiac Kadematic, which had a cleaver arrangement for splitting the wall of the life raft to get in. I seem to remember that Avon at the time were just bringing out an updated model so that was not possible to put into the test.


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by FlyingSpud on 05/11/2002 23:17 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[allanc]

The choice of liferaft available may be confusing or bewildering, however, ----- this is not simply a quick flick to the summary of a Which report and a quick decision ' do I spend x or y'. Nor is it a 'well, if I've bought one then I've satisfied the requirements of the offshore regs in having one and I can tick the box'. This purchase is one that you should spend almost as much time on as when you decided which boat to buy in the first place. Consider, your main boat is one in which you will voyage, have adventures in, and will sink in. If you're sure that you're not going to sink then read no further. If, like some of us, you think that the liferaft may be the last vessel you will want to be in, then you will buy the 'best' that suits. Not the one that is 'adequate' as you may be suggesting, but the one that gives you, and those for whom you are responsible, and those for whom you are responsible ( just read that a third time and think ) the best chance of survival. Survival means food, water and shelter for several days or weeks in an inhospitable, often hostile, life threatening, maleavolent environment.
'Adequate' is not enough, nor is 'should be ok'
(If I've annoyed you, good).
Regards,
Allan

 

[Piers]

Nationwide

I bought my liferaft from Nationwide Marine Hire (don't let the word Hire in the name put you off....). 01925 245788 or 07885 631066.

John Strickland-Baker is passionate about liferafts, knows exactly what he's talking about, and serves you well.

Offers an inexpensive delivery service, and so on. Really helpful.

Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[Viking]

What ever one you buy. Do go on a Sea Survival Course and learn how to use the liferaft thing properly.

 

[nicho]

Alan - why on earth do you think your response will have annoyed me? - it's just the sort of advice I went on line for! All points taken on board with thanks - I hope by this posting that I have indicated that I am indeed doing research into the products available, and which are the best for my use.

Cheers

Mike N

 

[nicho]

Re: Nationwide

Thanks Piers,

Seems like a good place to go.

Mike N

 

[Piers]

Re: Nationwide

Could be good if you post what happens....

Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[nicho]

Re: Nationwide

OK Piers, will do - not anticipating ordering until December for January delivery (boat arrives 30th january).

 

[iangrant]

For what it's worth, I looked at all the liferafts and ended up buying a "standard" plastimo, valise, for blue water use.

It fits snugly into a an easily accessible locker on deck, lanyard attached.

The only difference between the standard and the ORC is the contents, which, you can put into the grab bag anyway.

Your (hopefully not) usage of a liferaft will be like mine, only if run over by a tanker in the channel or some 'orible reason for stepping off the top of the mast within 10 miles of the shore, so no need for a months rations!!

Why plastimo - well, big enough to still be there to service the thing in two years.

and yes I am going to do the survival course.

Ian

 

[nicho]

Re: Nationwide

Piers,

Thanks for the tip - I have phoned John, and he was a mine of information about liferafts, their construction, boardability etc - a real expert indeed.

For info, I have ordered a Zodiac RORC Superliferaft, which for around a grand is far from the cheapest on the market, but is a quality product and spot on for my requirements.

Thanks again, and also to everyone else who responded - this is an excellant forum indeed.

Mike N

 

[Piers]

Re: Nationwide

Pleased he was able to help - he's always been more than helpful to me, over many years. Good to hear a good report.

Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[doris]

Nationwide Marine Hire

I have used John Strickland-Baker for the last 7-8 years and he has never let me down yet. Can't think of many in the marine industry that I can say that of!!!

 

[tcm]

Re: ah but

are there many people who have serious complaints about liferafts? They're all dead, i presume?

Seriously, Arimar are a rated company, itlaian i believe

 

[Juggler7823]

Re: Nationwide Marine Hire

I spoke with this guy a few days ago. Its worthwhile pointing out that he is only a Zodiac agent and will not deal with anything else in house. Non-Zodiac liferafts and inflatables are sent elsewhere for servicing and repair

Roy