As well as a life raft (get a good one) the Polycraft
Dinghy we use is also SOLAS approved as a life raft in that it is foam filled and qualifies as a flotation device with its side ropes fitted. One can tow it with your
inflatable ife raft with the bungs unscrewed and it is self-draining. If you board it--a good idea if the sea permits, you simply replace the bungs.
Ours is fitted with a bimini--something useful if the sun gets hot. The
bimini is lashed firmly down when the
dinghy is hoisted and lashed on the
deck. Take out the bungs--it acts as a bin to store ropes etc. Rows like a dream--outboard up to ten horsepower--I use 3.5 and it does fine. VERY stable--almost as good as a
Zodiac without the failing seams. It does not need servicing either--and it has a locker so that
emergency supplies can be left aboard if needed. It will carry two adults and a child easily with the rest of the equipment--so I would have it IN ADDITION to an
inflatable raft. The one that does not require inflation is less likely to fail.
So--think about this type if you are coastal cruising. Mine is
safety yellow for this reason. Easily seen from an aircraft. White is popular but almost impossible to see among wave crests. Blue is also pretty but just plain silly for a survival craft.,.
https://www.polycraft.com.au/model-r...00-tuff-tender