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Author Topic:   Whaler Life Raft

nooner posted 01-31-2006 03:21 PM ET (US)
Is a life raft ever a necessary when you have an unsinkable Boston Whaler? The only situation I can think of when a life raft would be necessary is in case of a fire, otherwise I'm staying with the boat. Am I wrong?
Buckda posted 01-31-2006 03:25 PM ET (US)
A small inflatable (Zodiac, Avon, etc) would be a nice tender to a larger Whaler for camping and at remote anchorages....
jmontani posted 01-31-2006 07:08 PM ET (US)
I would stay with the boat until the battery/vhf/ssb quit. If I am that far off shore a rescue beacon would be a must. As for staying with the boat, it all depends on how dry/comfortable you can stay. I would probably take a raft along just to be safe and have a drier shelter. I would not abandon the boat but use a line attached from the raft to the boat to limit drift and increase visibility for rescue.
I don't think that anyone ever regret having a raft on board. It is just good common sense to have it if you are on offshore passages.
Just my thoughts.
Jack
jimh posted 01-31-2006 09:45 PM ET (US)
I do not carry a life raft with my Boston Whaler.
aubv posted 01-31-2006 10:07 PM ET (US)
Nooner,
You are right, I'm not leaving the boat, unless it is burning. However, I carry a ditch bag with extra PFD's attached to the outside and 2 long brightly colored kids canvas inflatable rafts. They take up very little space and need little air to become quite buoyant. While the rafts are not life rafts, they are a lot better than being in the water with just a PFD. They actually allow you to get almost completely out of the water and make you more visible.
rtk posted 01-31-2006 10:24 PM ET (US)
I asked the same question, and received some very good advice.
continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009834.html
I do think an epirb and a satellite phone is going to be my first investment. I think both units may be available for rent if you don't want to make the investment. Last time I casually looked it will cost around $1500 to purchase the equipment.
Then some survival suits.
Then a life raft.
If it is real bad out there, and the boat swamps and flips, I don't know how easy it would be to stay with/on the boat. In that situation a survival suit will keep you afloat and may help ward off hypothermia.
It certainly cannot hurt to have the raft on board, they are pricey though.
I still don't know what I will get. EPIRB is a definite this year. The rest of the gear is still under consideration.
Rich

dogface posted 02-01-2006 08:46 AM ET (US)
We've got an eiperb (sp) and a life raft on the conquest. It gives me a certain level of confidence when way off shore. Both are mounted to the heardtop. Can't be too safe I figure.
roberto62 posted 02-01-2006 10:12 AM ET (US)
The italian law ask the life raft like a baggage

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Author	Topic: Whaler Life Raft
nooner	posted 01-31-2006 03:21 PM ET (US) Is a life raft ever a necessary when you have an unsinkable Boston Whaler? The only situation I can think of when a life raft would be necessary is in case of a fire, otherwise I'm staying with the boat. Am I wrong?
Buckda	posted 01-31-2006 03:25 PM ET (US) A small inflatable (Zodiac, Avon, etc) would be a nice tender to a larger Whaler for camping and at remote anchorages....
jmontani	posted 01-31-2006 07:08 PM ET (US) I would stay with the boat until the battery/vhf/ssb quit. If I am that far off shore a rescue beacon would be a must. As for staying with the boat, it all depends on how dry/comfortable you can stay. I would probably take a raft along just to be safe and have a drier shelter. I would not abandon the boat but use a line attached from the raft to the boat to limit drift and increase visibility for rescue. I don't think that anyone ever regret having a raft on board. It is just good common sense to have it if you are on offshore passages. Just my thoughts. Jack
jimh	posted 01-31-2006 09:45 PM ET (US) I do not carry a life raft with my Boston Whaler.
aubv	posted 01-31-2006 10:07 PM ET (US) Nooner, You are right, I'm not leaving the boat, unless it is burning. However, I carry a ditch bag with extra PFD's attached to the outside and 2 long brightly colored kids canvas inflatable rafts. They take up very little space and need little air to become quite buoyant. While the rafts are not life rafts, they are a lot better than being in the water with just a PFD. They actually allow you to get almost completely out of the water and make you more visible.
rtk	posted 01-31-2006 10:24 PM ET (US) I asked the same question, and received some very good advice. continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009834.html I do think an epirb and a satellite phone is going to be my first investment. I think both units may be available for rent if you don't want to make the investment. Last time I casually looked it will cost around $1500 to purchase the equipment. Then some survival suits. Then a life raft. If it is real bad out there, and the boat swamps and flips, I don't know how easy it would be to stay with/on the boat. In that situation a survival suit will keep you afloat and may help ward off hypothermia. It certainly cannot hurt to have the raft on board, they are pricey though. I still don't know what I will get. EPIRB is a definite this year. The rest of the gear is still under consideration. Rich
dogface	posted 02-01-2006 08:46 AM ET (US) We've got an eiperb (sp) and a life raft on the conquest. It gives me a certain level of confidence when way off shore. Both are mounted to the heardtop. Can't be too safe I figure.
roberto62	posted 02-01-2006 10:12 AM ET (US) The italian law ask the life raft like a baggage