40' Required for Circumnavigation

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

So, is there any cruiser out there who uses a keel for stability in both their main vessel and also their liferaft / lifeboat?

Or do they all take the ironical path of a form stable liferaft if the main vessel is abandoned?

It is a serious question.

I don't think (for the recreational market) there are any "form stable" liferafts. Certainly the common inflatable donut relies on both water ballast pockets and a drogue (both for stability, not purely for drift). Indeed they also rely on human ballast for stability - hence them being very small for the number of persons (2 people in an 8 man liferaft will have more room - but raft will be less stable).

I don't know of any "keel stable" liferafts for the recreational market - I think they come into their own when commercial vessel sized, say 25 foot plus! (Think Shackleton and Capt Bligh)......but for most of us a touch on the large size .

But I await enlightenment .