Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 17-10-2014, 09:55   #1
Registered User
 
GeoPowers's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Gulfport, MS
Boat: Beneteau 393
Posts: 954
Images: 27
Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Hello,

Is anyone aware of a recent review of various liferafts by anyone? The most recent one I've found is from 2009, 5 years old. Does anyone have any specific reviews? I know this is hard to come by, since hopefully a life raft remains a waste of money for a piece of gear that is never used!

I'm looking for a 6-man raft (family of 4), leaning toward canister instead of valise, and double floor/tubes. The specific trip necessitating one is from Maryland-Mobile or Mississippi (done in 3 legs), although it should be adequate for up and down the east coast to the Bahamas and back, and perhaps as far as the Caribbean. No transocean crossings.

Right now I'm looking at Viking and Winslow, but that's only because those are the only brands I am familiar with.

Thanks!

Frank
GeoPowers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-10-2014, 12:09   #2
Registered User
 
GeoPowers's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Gulfport, MS
Boat: Beneteau 393
Posts: 954
Images: 27
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Well alrighty then!


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
GeoPowers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-10-2014, 12:45   #3
Senior Cruiser
 
sneuman's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Sabre 28-2
Posts: 3,197
Images: 37
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoPowers View Post
Hello,

Is anyone aware of a recent review of various liferafts by anyone? The most recent one I've found is from 2009, 5 years old. Does anyone have any specific reviews? I know this is hard to come by, since hopefully a life raft remains a waste of money for a piece of gear that is never used!

I'm looking for a 6-man raft (family of 4), leaning toward canister instead of valise, and double floor/tubes. The specific trip necessitating one is from Maryland-Mobile or Mississippi (done in 3 legs), although it should be adequate for up and down the east coast to the Bahamas and back, and perhaps as far as the Caribbean. No transocean crossings.

Right now I'm looking at Viking and Winslow, but that's only because those are the only brands I am familiar with.

Thanks!

Frank
Unfortunately (fortunately) few people have direct experience. I am increasingly suspect of product reviews in most sailing magazines these days -- lots of pressure, in my opinion, from advertisers. I just put a deposit on a 4-man Viking after looking at several rafts at the boat show">Annapolis Boat Show. The price was competitive and the raft seems to be well constructed.

Hope I never have to find out if it was the right choice.
sneuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-10-2014, 13:43   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,836
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

If you have not read the Dashew's weather and storm tactics books, I would recommend them, especially now that they are available for free download. Go to the end of the article to see the download links.

SetSail » Blog Archive » Weather Forecasting, Storm Tactics & Successful Cruising – Plus An Offer You Can’t Refuse

The storm tactics book has information about life rafts that might be helpful when looking to buy a raft. There is also great information that is needed to survive ON/IN the life raft to allow one to maybe get rescued.

Later,
Dan
dannc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18-10-2014, 14:45   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: the Netherlands
Boat: Wibo 1100 36 ft
Posts: 66
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

I looked at two reviews in Dutch magazines. In the first one the Ocean ISO from Ocean Safety, Rescyou Pro from Viking and Global Star from Winslow score well. Only the Viking is self-righting. The Ocean ISO however is cheaper than the Rescyou Pro and a lot cheaper than the Global Star. Winslow is considered an expensive brand and Viking is located in the middle segment.

The second test does not include the Ocean ISO, but it does have the Winslow Global Star and Viking Rescyou Pro. In this review the Viking wins because a) unlike the Winslow it's self-righting and b) it's twice as cheap as the Winslow.

I also remember an article that said that round or octagonal shaped rafts tend to spin around a lot more than square shaped ones.
Draikhyan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19-10-2014, 16:11   #6
Registered User
 
GeoPowers's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Gulfport, MS
Boat: Beneteau 393
Posts: 954
Images: 27
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Thanks for the comments, and the link to the free books. In the absence of any negative info, I'll probably end up getting a Viking.

Cheers,

Frank
GeoPowers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2014, 03:03   #7
Senior Cruiser
 
sneuman's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Sabre 28-2
Posts: 3,197
Images: 37
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Quote:
Originally Posted by Draikhyan View Post
I looked at two reviews in Dutch magazines. In the first one the Ocean ISO from Ocean Safety, Rescyou Pro from Viking and Global Star from Winslow score well. Only the Viking is self-righting. The Ocean ISO however is cheaper than the Rescyou Pro and a lot cheaper than the Global Star. Winslow is considered an expensive brand and Viking is located in the middle segment.

The second test does not include the Ocean ISO, but it does have the Winslow Global Star and Viking Rescyou Pro. In this review the Viking wins because a) unlike the Winslow it's self-righting and b) it's twice as cheap as the Winslow.

I also remember an article that said that round or octagonal shaped rafts tend to spin around a lot more than square shaped ones.
I should add that the one I ordered is the Rescuyou Pro.
sneuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2014, 04:39   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between the devil and the deep blue sea
Boat: a sailing boat
Posts: 20,420
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

I would not go over the top. Look up Zodiacs, Bombards (same maker), Seago, Ocean Safety, etc.

I heard best opinions of Switlik, Viking and I would consider Avon top shelf too - judging by how they make their dinghies. They may be more expensive as their market is mostly commercial / offshore use.

b.
barnakiel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2014, 04:43   #9
Registered User
 
LakeSuperior's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Boat: Teak Yawl, 37'
Posts: 2,980
Images: 7
Re: Liferaft Reviews or Recommendations

Practical Sailor had a series of 3 articles in 2007 that took on life rafts. I suspect while some of the info is dated not much has changed either. They did a pretty thorough job.
LakeSuperior is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
liferaft, men, reviews

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
DuoGen - Two Reviews Wind Dancer Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 4 12-08-2012 05:18
Two vendor reviews Sandero Product or Service Reviews & Evaluations 1 06-08-2008 20:15
radio receivers (reviews) rebel heart Marine Electronics 12 19-03-2008 12:25
Dufour 365?? reviews?? jerry52 General Sailing Forum 0 12-02-2007 12:42

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:30.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.