Canaries to Caribbean

[ikold]

Have two coastal rated life rafts that I just recertified and our cruising once in the Caribbean will be coastal. Am wondering if there is a raft rental company in the Canaries that will rent 6 man Ocean rated life rafts?

[Jeannius]

Not when I tried a few years back. Could have rented them from the UK but with the cost of sending them back, it wasn't worth it.

Buy them and sell them in the Caribbean if you really don't think you'll be crossing another ocean. There's always people looking for certified liferafts particularly before the start of the offshore cruising events.

[carstenb]

I just looked into this for someone going that route. No one will rent them. The return cost is prohibitive, because it has to be sent as Harardous/explosive freight due to the air pressure container inside.

Even if it gets returned - then it has to be opened, repacked and recertified. By the time al lthis is done - it is cheaper to just buy one (and sell it to someone over there

[MarkJ]

The difference between Costal and Offshore rafts is the number of bottles of water and butterscotch sweeties in them.

So just make a better grab bag and save your money.

[marlinmike]

This is actually not true,

The offshore raft is designed more durably. It generally has two independent tubes, whereas most coastal rafts have only one. It is designed to withstand rougher conditions for a longer time. It has more standard safety items, like water packets, first aid kit, fishing line, with the expectation that offshore rescues may take a lot longer.

Originally Posted by MarkJ

The difference between Costal and Offshore rafts is the number of bottles of water and butterscotch sweeties in them.

So just make a better grab bag and save your money.