Life Raft & Survival Equipment - Liferaft Recommendation for Offshore - 25ft CC
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topcontender
08-10-2006, 10:31 AM
I need to add a liferaft for the boat. I currently run a 23T Contender and recently purchased a ACR Globalfix Epirb. I will only be recreationally fishing and do about 10 trips per year 60+ miles offshore. Can you recommend a value priced liferaft? I have looked at the Switlik Rescue Pod $1,950 and the Zodiac raft $1,500. What do I need to consider?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Cracker
08-11-2006, 09:54 AM
Two problems with those...1. They are not storage friendly for a small boat, unless you secure them to the top of a T top 2. I believe you sitting in the water, cause it only has canvas strips for a floor.
jwo9958
08-12-2006, 09:55 AM
Ubetcha13,
Thank you for advertising on my vendor forum. I am glad that you know what topcontender is looking for. A USCG life float would fit perfectly on his 23T Contender.
For the rest of you,
USCG life floats have there places on certain boats. For one, depending on the type of vessel you are, they help you meet certain USCG regulations. T, K and a very few Head boats can use these to meet regulations depending on how far they go out from shore. The problem with them is that they do not keep you out of the water, and there are documented cases of people using these but still succumbing to hypothermia and exposure. The benefit is that they are less expensive, and you long term maintenance costs are lower.
Inflatable life rafts using a CO2 cylinder are going to be much more compact and offer much more in the way of staying alive long enough for someone to come and rescue you. The Swilik Pod is a high quality raft that is very simple. I like it for the high quality reasons, upfront and long term costs, size, and durability. The Zodiac Coastal, is somewhat larger, and not as well built. despite this it has a very attractive price tag. The one thing I will mention about this raft is that it is back ordered and I could not deliver on it untill the end of September. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Dan
Life Raft and Survival Equipment
1-800-451-2127
www.lrse.com