Liferaft failure

[Presentation]

Jim, this sites owner has this basic, REVERE Coastal Compact Liferaft - 4 person - Valise for $1,099. No cover, very low cost, basic model.

http://www.boemarine.com/Products/REV-45-CC4V/Default.aspx




or....same thing with a cover for $1,239

or-----6 person for $1359

 

[Dancin Dave]

Buy one, I dont have the cover.

 

[Four Suns]

The only times we have ever had customers use these devices on rec boats are because of fire. If your raft is on the hardtop you can kiss it good bye. It will burn up. Also, even if the boat sinks you had better hope you are somewhere deep, because the hardtop can be 12' down and the raft still not deploy. So you'll be treading water in the middle of the Albermarle sound while your boat is just a few feet below you - no raft.

That's why I also don't buy the comments of "If my boat sinks, I'll just stand on it until help arrives." There was a boat fire down here by Wanchese in with a 43 foot sport fishing boat and the boat was in about 8' of water.

If I recall, one of the guys on that boat had smoke inhalation issues... I can't find that story now... I'm sure "swimming" would be the last thing he'd be up for.

And I'm not so sure a fire in the engine room would allow me to launch a dinghy off the platform... No hydraulics means no launch as I can't move an 800 pound dinghy... Especially with burning fiberglass smoke blowing in my face. But I guess one could wait around for the fire to burn out and then get it off.

How's this:

I'll stick with my life raft setup in a valise case... If I can stand on the boat or get the dinghy off, that's gravy...

 

[Alex F]

I've read this thread with much interest. Most of my boating is done in large bays with fairly shallow waters (6-12 feet) with sandy bottoms. I'm pretty sure if the boat sinks I can just sit up on the bridge and wait for help (at least that's waht I tell myself). However, we do take a two week trip every year where we are in open Ocean for a few hours. We're almost always with other boaters on those legs of the trip. The $1500-$2000 isn't the issue so much as another thing to carry and care for. I no longer carry a dink either. So what's the consensus....buy one or not for my application?

Brian,

IMO, you need one or the other. If you still have your dinghy and just don't see use for it while it takes room on the swim platform, then it sounds like your goal is to have plan B for safty escape route, which is life raft. I'm sure it's much easier to find good place to store in on your boat than mine. If $$$ is not an issue, then it's even easier decision. As for carring, all you have to do is take to the shop and they'll do everything for you. It sounds like newer models are more attractive with 3yrs service intervals. Using Garry's experience it might be worth looking in to other brands.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Good point about the hydraulic lift if there's a fire in the ER. No way could I get my dinghy out of the bunks.

I can also imagine the panic as I look around for the lift remote, then watch it slowly go down. Those things aren't fast.