ostende without a life raft

[jezjez]

Would any of the forum go to (Harwich to) Ostende and back without a life raft - only an inflatable dinghy as a default liferaft?

 

[Steve_R]

I would be much happier with one for such an offshore trip.

If you don't normally carry one, have you considered hiring a holdall type liferaft for the trip?

 

[NorthernMonkey]

You can hire them for a week for about £80. How much is your peace of mind worth?

 

[jezjez]

Do Fox's or other on East coast hire them out?

 

[Koeketiene]

www.suffolk-sailing.co.uk/main.htm

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

i've done it twice in the last two years without one....

While I prefer having one, its not that big an issue IMHO.... its such a busy bit of water, you are never more than a short while from help...

 

[jezjez]

thanks for the link.
I think we probably will take one as it's our first trip.

 

[bendyone]

Its down to money, if you can afford one say 500 quid have it, if you cant take the risk and enjoy the sail. In the past i've sail the channel many time with just a half inflated avon as back up (pre gps, mobiles and RDF)