Where are the lightweight liferafts?

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lindsay

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I want to replace a very old Bfa liferaft with something close to its weight of 13.5 kilos. The reasons include the fact that I am "getting on" and a bit battered, and a 25 kilo job would be too much to handle. Single handed most of the time all year in the Mediterranean, I am VERY occasionally joined by children or grandchildren, and even for the close coastal sailing we do together, the potential risk is something that nags me.

For myself, single handed, I am largely unconcerned since my boat anyway is described as "unsinkable" in the brochures. (and who could ever doubt the word of an advertising man) So the only real issue is fire.

In France light weight liferafts are unavailable, presumably the usual bulldozing attempt to protect local manufacturers. Internet searches have not borne fruit.

I have heard there is an Italian manufacturer EV (?)

Finally, while cost is always an issue, my main concern is WEIGHT.

Any ideas? I will tackle the problem of delivery whenever I get the right product.

Thanks in advance
 
lindsay said:
I want to replace a very old Bfa liferaft with something close to its weight of 13.5 kilos. The reasons include the fact that I am "getting on" and a bit battered, and a 25 kilo job would be too much to handle. Single handed most of the time all year in the Mediterranean, I am VERY occasionally joined by children or grandchildren, and even for the close coastal sailing we do together, the potential risk is something that nags me.

For myself, single handed, I am largely unconcerned since my boat anyway is described as "unsinkable" in the brochures. (and who could ever doubt the word of an advertising man) So the only real issue is fire.

In France light weight liferafts are unavailable, presumably the usual bulldozing attempt to protect local manufacturers. Internet searches have not borne fruit.

I have heard there is an Italian manufacturer EV (?)

Finally, while cost is always an issue, my main concern is WEIGHT.

Any ideas? I will tackle the problem of delivery whenever I get the right product.

Thanks in advance
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Don't bother to replace it. Chances of fire that leads to sinking is (almost) non -existent. Small yachts are amazingly robust and rarely is it better to be in a liferaft than on a boat - even if it is damaged.

However, if you do want a liferaft and are worried about your ability to lift it, then get a 4 man canister and mount it on the pushpit with a hydrostatic release. You are never going to need it but its presence might make you feel happier.
 
Tranona said:
Don't bother to replace it. Chances of fire that leads to sinking is (almost) non -existent. Small yachts are amazingly robust and rarely is it better to be in a liferaft than on a boat - even if it is damaged.

However, if you do want a liferaft and are worried about your ability to lift it, then get a 4 man canister and mount it on the pushpit with a hydrostatic release. You are never going to need it but its presence might make you feel happier.
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And get a locking bar fitted so tea leafs don't have it away. Obviously, make sure you remove the locking bar when out sailing....
 
Plastimo 4 man canister rafts vary between 24 and 35 Kg depending on spec and equipment. Expect that is the norm, so difficult to see how anybody could produce an effective raft at substantially less weight.
 
Autoflug made the modula raft in germany sold to zodiac and i believe they are know marketed by avon as modula and probably made in france.
i have had 2 of autoflug rafts and they where the lightest available.

Its worth having aloof at the Ocean Safety raft they are based in Southampton.
 
Given the equipment required to meet various ratings, and the need for a substantial CO2 cylinder for inflation, I am amazed you could get a liferaft that weighed in at 13.5 Kg. I suspect that the fabric must have been very light weight, and the accounts of people who have actually used liferafts to survive at sea suggest that even heavy duty fabric starts to wear after a few days.

I'd mount it somewhere where it can be tipped over the side easily. Mine is on the cabin roof in front of the spray-hood; I moved it from the pulpit because it was causing the pulpit bases to wear. Weight isn't an issue; in the event of it being needed, I would unfasten the strap securing it, and slide it over the side. Damage to the top-sides wouldn't be an issue in an emergency! The painter is already tied to a fixed point, so I can't forget that bit. Of course, a hydrostatic release mechanism would be a "belt and braces" approach - but the Sea Survival Course suggests that if at all possible you should stay dry when boarding a liferaft, and you can't do that if the boat is already underwater! Although you spend a lot of time in the water on the Sea Survival Course, they teach that the ideal is not to enter the water at all.
 
lindsay said:
I want to replace a very old Bfa liferaft with something close to its weight of 13.5 kilos. The reasons include the fact that I am "getting on" and a bit battered, and a 25 kilo job would be too much to handle. Single handed most of the time all year in the Mediterranean, I am VERY occasionally joined by children or grandchildren, and even for the close coastal sailing we do together, the potential risk is something that nags me.

For myself, single handed, I am largely unconcerned since my boat anyway is described as "unsinkable" in the brochures. (and who could ever doubt the word of an advertising man) So the only real issue is fire.

In France light weight liferafts are unavailable, presumably the usual bulldozing attempt to protect local manufacturers. Internet searches have not borne fruit.

I have heard there is an Italian manufacturer EV (?)

Finally, while cost is always an issue, my main concern is WEIGHT.

Any ideas? I will tackle the problem of delivery whenever I get the right product.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Try some aviation stores, weight is critical for light aircraft. Try http://www.flightstore.co.uk/pilot-supplies-c1/liferafts-jackets-c36 these range from 6kg to 20kg

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Ocean Safety do the ISO Ultralight: Valise 6 man is 25 kg. Canister 6 man is 28kg. They don't do a 4 man in the ultralight range, unfortunately. Carbon wrapped aluminum bottles, and a carbon canister. Aimed at the racing market, really.

http://www.oceansafety.com/leisure/product/590-ocean-ultralite-canister-option.html

Stick it on the transom in a cradle, with hydrostatic release and knife ready. cut the straps - & it falls in the water.
 
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