Life Rafts

[Chica]

Does any one have any experience with the circular, double tube, self inflating, canopied life rafts? I mostly fish off the northwest corner of Vancouver Island and with salmon season approaching my thoughts go back to one day last season when the mate and I were 10 miles off the canal bouy, in the fog and I began to wonder what if........So I've decided to get a life raft. The internet is very helpful, but I was wondering if anyone had personal experience and recommendations. CHICA

 

[thataway]

In all of our voyaging, we have only carried a raft when ocean racing required it. We do carry an inflatable dinghy with a CO2 bottle which fits the valves. For a C Dory 22, probably the raft which makes the most sense is the Revere. Consider definately an inflatable floor, inflatable canopy and double tubes. Consider if you want a Valise or fiberglass container. Size is also important. Consider that only 2 sq feet (plus a little) is all that is allocated to each person!--so a 6 man may be a better plan.

The C Dory is mighty hard to sink--for the most part there are not thru hulls (the most common cause of flooding). There are outboards, so less risk of fire.

Also seriously consider personal EPRIBS, Strobe flashlights/ and submersiable hand held VHF's. We carry these on our persons/inflatable life vests. Also consider survival suits. The life raft is a personal decision--you must be able to get to the raft and launch it--I have seen a lot of rafts which had detiorrated by being in cannisters in the heat and humidity. Life rafts have to be inspected regularly. Some are now sealed and vacuum packed so they have a 3 year between packing time.

My decision not to carry a life raft and use alternatives was based on a number of years of both experience and study of hundreds of loss of vessels at sea---but it is a very personal decision. On the other hand I don't see any reason why every boat should not have an EPRIB, Strobe and submersiable radio--cost about $700..

 

[K7MXE]

Down in Richmond near Vancouver BC is a manufacturer of liferafts
and when I bought mine 15 years ago they had the best deal going.
I took it back several time for re pack. You can watch them being
built and they have total quality control. Beaufort I believe was the
name.
What ever you end up with do your homework and keep away from
anything older in the used department. Re packers will tell you the
good ones from the bad. Upkeep is also vital and they have a schedule
for that as well. I think you have a good plan eh!
Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa

 

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

 

[bcarli]

Hi
My wife and I have spent a lot of time sailing offshore. We carried a six person Switlik valise life raft with us. I like the portability of the valise. There not cheap but if you ever need one their priceless. If we were going to spend much time offshore I would feel a lot better with as life raft on board.

 

[journey on]

I got a life raft for our So. Pacific cruise. It's an Avon 4 person valise type. This was the most convenient for us. When we were at sea, it was in the cockpit, and in the harbor, down below in the aft cabin. Most life rafts deteriorate from the sun, certainly not use.

The hard cover type had to be stored on the foredeck, and I never could figure out how to get to it if we needed it. From the cockpit, I figured we could throw the valise over and have a chance of getting in it.

Dan is right, we were told the time to use it was if we had to climb up into it. Fortunately, we never came close to using it. We still have it and I don't think it would be useful in a C-Dory, since we don't go offshore (>100 mi.) If anyone wants it, it's for sale, needs repacking. Haven't invested in an EPIRB for Journey On, either. We're mostly in VHF range, and we've got DSC (or is it DCS?)

Boris