Which coastal liferaft ?

Storyline

Storyline

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I do not want to post on the other thread as Independence wants an offshore one.

The liferaft on Storyline came with the boat and is a 10 man one as she was coded. It is now getting long in the tooth and we have to get a new one before next season so are looking for a 4 man canister.

I have seen a new UK made one advertised here http://www.waypointliferafts.com/listing-coastal-liferaft-1.html

Has anyone got any experience of them or can recommend any others ?

Thanks
 
The RYA recommend to carry a life raft if voyaging more than 3 miles offshore. Personally, I wouldn't go for aWaypoint raft. Look instead at the Ocean safety charter or one of their more expensive rafts or if you want good quality go for the Viking.
Shorn
 
sailorman said:
Try Suffolk Sailing
talk to Graham, it might even pay you to hire one, see how it pans out. hire means you dont have £s invested also zero servicing costs
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Do you mean Suffolk Marine Safety? If you do I'll second that recommendation - bought a raft from them a few months ago and found them a very informed and helpful group of people.
 
tidclacy said:
There was a test on lifer afts in PBO June 2009 pm me for a copy.
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I think this was the test that gave the Seago raft a good report, which is why I bought one. Although Galadriel is an Etap, there is always that fear of fire, so in the unlikely event etc, we have a Seago canister on the push pit.
 
I bought a west marine ofshore canister raft made by zodiac becuase it was on sale.
For coastal use.
I have since learned they use a glue which deterioates with age.
Its not easy to find a service center for zodiac. localy.
DBC, Beafort no problem service center in town.
I picked a 6 man because I have a wife and three tenagers.
I picked an ofshore because it was on sale. also even though i will not be crossing oceans I thought it was better to have the extra emergency gear. and the price differance was not much.
As for which is best I hope to never find out.
 
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Sotryline - if you'd like to P/M me regarding the one in your link, I can give you some information - not really wanting to post it in the public domain.

Crewsaver are currently producing a budget coastal liferaft which is good quality for the price. Ocean safety again pricey but good and independantly checked. Wetline liferafts are good quality at a budget price, but servicing can be an issue. Plastimo are again good quality but a bit pricey.
 
Few people have any experience of using one in anger, only in the pool usually. A fisherman in Newlyn did, twice, and when it went for a repack he took some baccy and papers to be added. I posted on here a while back about a hire raft which failed to inflate, very lucky people picked up by the pilot boat. Someone else posted that they had never had any problem with the same hire outfit, but didn't answer my question "How would you know?" I have a four man Seago. Fingers crossed.
 
fisherman said:
Few people have any experience of using one in anger, only in the pool usually. A fisherman in Newlyn did, twice, and when it went for a repack he took some baccy and papers to be added. I posted on here a while back about a hire raft which failed to inflate, very lucky people picked up by the pilot boat. Someone else posted that they had never had any problem with the same hire outfit, b ut didn't answer my question "How would you know?" I have a four man Seago. Fingers crossed.
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One of the reasons i wanted the UK built one in my link was that I could ask them to put things in that would I like to have.
 
fisherman said:
when it went for a repack he took some baccy and papers to be added.
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Heh. A similar thought occurred to me. I don't smoke, but my friend who often sails with me (particularly on longer trips) does - especially when stressed. So the one and only time I've ever bought a pack of fags was to put them (and a lighter) in a ziplock bag in the grab bag!

Pete
 
FishyInverness said:
Crewsaver are currently producing a budget coastal liferaft which is good quality for the price. Ocean safety again pricey but good and independantly checked. Wetline liferafts are good quality at a budget price, but servicing can be an issue. Plastimo are again good quality but a bit pricey.
Click to expand...

I am also looking to buy to replace my 20 year old BFA liferaft. Coastal cruising, so looking at SeaGo. But had seen the Crewsaver budget liferaft, but cannot find out much about it - any views?
 
I bought a 4 man Waypoint valise liferaft about 4 years ago. I saw one inflated at a boat jumble and as it seemed OK for the price we bought it. It was serviced this year and was pronounced as good a liferaft as any by the independent servicer. My only complaint was that the battery pack was not obtainable from the manufacturer as he was out of stock until new supplies arrived in 6 weeks. I ended up having the light assembly changed for an updated LED one but it was more expensive although probably a worthwhile upgrade. All in all I am happy with it.
 
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