Four ballast bags (98 lbs. Though it is expensive, the raft is exceptionally well built. A simple slit functions as a zippered observation/ventilation port that was both uncomfortable to use and not very practical, in our view. The two lower-priced rafts come with a single-arch canopy identical to the coastal rafts. | Showroom But this is obviously not the place where youll feel secure with a bargain-basement model. Like other aspects of life rafts, some canopies are made for relatively light duty, others for more challenging conditions. The material provides good traction, which helped keep testers in place, but also caused painful sores on exposed skin. Plastimo (Lewmar, Inc.-Safety), 6475 Parkland Dr., Sarasota, FL 34243; 800/946-3527, 941/753-7533, email: shannonslusa@msn.com. The tri-arch canopy on the two others is similar in most respects (and an option on the lesser spec rafts), but the extra arch segment provides much more headroom around most of the raft, though not as much at the center of the entry as wed prefer. On most boats, it will be stored in a satchel or hard compartment that pops open when the raft is activated by a hard pull on the lanyard. An optional tied-in inflatable floor is available ($200-$250). The Winslow Super-Light Rescue raft, for example, weighs just 16 lbs. On large yachts, youll want at least one near the bow, one near the stern. The foam insulated floor was easily torn by persons moving about in the raft. There is a lot to like in Switliks Search and Rescue Mk II, the only other raft to receive votes for best offshore raft from the volunteers. total) and the modest drogue combined to provide modest stability. It has a self-bailer installed in the center. Each has a selection of three possible survival equipment packs: Offshore, Extended Offshore ($400), and SOLAS A-Plus ($1,700). The SAR-6 has 840 denier nylon buoyancy tubes coated on both sides with abrasion-resistant urethane and overlapped seams are taped inside and out. Rafts are rated based on 4 sq. The double-arch canopy is similar to the CLR6 with good headroom. This provides pass-through ventilation while open; they are closed by pulling the elastic edges down over the tube and securing them with some ties, providing a fairly weather tight, but cramped and stuffy canopy. Closure was problematic because the storm flaps kept getting caught in the zipper, and the canopy was stretched so tight it was virtually impossible to zip one entry fully closed, compromising weather protection. In other regards it is fitted out essentially like the Coastal reviewed in Part 2, incorporating Plastimos unique tube-in-a-tube construction. - The survival manual isnt waterproof. The Crewsavers unique slab-sided appearance comes from connecting the 9.5 tubes via material that is attached on the exterior, instead of the conventional hinge tape between them. m) of space for each person. Their SOLAS A-Plus SEP exceeds SOLAS standards in many regards, even including a PUR 06 watermaker. The manual pump must first be assembled, inserting wood paddles into the pockets of a flexible vinyl bellows. West Marine, PO Box 50070, Watsonville, CA 95077; 800/262-8464, 831/761-4421, www.westmarine.com. The larger tubes provide significantly more freeboard than the closest competitors. The flexibility to tailor a Winslow to your particular needs is a welcome option, as is their upgradeability. total) and a poor-performing drogue provide only moderate anti-capsize capability. The Mariner is vacuum-packed and available in 4-, 6-, and 8-person models. For example, there are only three SOLAS hand flares and no signal mirror or water. Plastimo offers two other offshore rafts, but these were not tested. Owners should ensure that their rafts comply with this latest service bulletin. - The Winslow canister is sturdy and has a good gripping area at both ends, but unfortunately retained the bottom half on the painter. While our prototype test rafts came with both sizes of Winslows ballast, the company advised that production offshore rafts now all come with their Cape Horn ballast (128 lbs. Then the hose wouldnt fit the pump. Rentals are typically around $400 to $500 per month, plus a $150 deposit. An offshore SEP is a $240-$340 option, depending on size. Switlik Parachute Co., 1325 E. State St., Trenton, NJ 08609; 609/587-3300, www.switlik.com. Our MD-2 came in a robust canister, the best of the group. There is a small V-shaped interior boarding ladder, but many testers were unable to reach it. This is the only raft that deployed with the entry closed. | Large multiple tubes also give the raft more effective freeboard. We were unable to reach the painter, attached to a bridle, without partially collapsing the canopy, and then, as a result, found using the raft knife also difficult. Along the way, they added a few features which help solve some of the problems we noted with the MD-1. Note that an 8-person ocean-going raft is likely to weigh 100 lbs. total). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Offshore and coastal rafts more often have double floors or insulated flooring that provides more protection against cold water plus added thickness to protect against tears. This only made the single-arch headroom problems worse and pumping up the standard inflatable floor just exacerbated the problem. Its a good value for those on a budget and with less demanding requirements. The best models for offshore use typically have multiple inflated supports to hold them up. A pair of tall semi-circular zippered doors with a storm flap at the top provided fairly easy entry from the vessel, fair ventilation, and easy closure. The canopy seemed to be marked for application of retro-reflective tape, but there was none. The canister half is not retained on the painter. Copyright 2022 BoatTEST.com. The raft knifes sheath likely wouldnt be immediately obvious in the dark and was difficult to remove. Once on the platform, boarding the raft was easy. Because, in the case of life rafts, they can have a significant effect on your functional lifespan. Its safe to say almost every recreational boater that has ever had to use his life raft under duress never expected to do so. - User Information Legal Enquiry Guide, 1999-2022 Alibaba.com. A canopy is a huge plus if you have to spend more than a half-day awaiting rescue, whether sun or cold is the issue. There is a water collection V on the back side of the canopy. The survival kit is removed and all expired consumables, like batteries, flares and survival food are replaced. West Marines Offshore has many well-thought-out features, including the spacious dual-arch canopy, boarding ramp, swivel for the drogue, and vacuum packing, among others. It was moderately weatherproof, with leakage through the zipper, but dark and cramped. The double entry flaps close with cloth ties that are too short and thus difficult to tie. It has automatically-activated interior and exterior lighting and a stability device the company says will keep the raft stable even in a close-range helicopter rescue, where other designs sometimes get flipped by the rotor wash. Plastimo Offshore+Plastimos Offshore+ ($3,415 / $3,075) is a pentagonal raft with a single-arch canopy. All Rights Reserved. 33010002000092 Winslows offshore SEPs are, for the most part, well-equipped. Mailport: X-yachts, Soverel 33, tropical storms, Designing a Dump Line for the Multihull Mainsheet, Test Driving Furunos Cutting Edge Compass, Green Boating From a Practical Perspective, PS Advisor: Belaying Safety for Mast Climbing. The Winslow RaftsWinslows Super-Light offshore line of decagonal rafts offers a multitude of options, including their Basic Cruising and Fishing Offshore ($3,795/$3,036), that we didnt test, and viewport-equipped Offshore Plus ($3,945/$3,145), the well-equipped Extended Offshore ($5,395/$4,595), and Winslows vision of the ultimate offshore raft, the Ocean Rescue ($7,345/$6,445). Editors note: Doug Ritter is a Practical Sailor contributing editor and the editor of the Equipped To Survive (www.equipped.org) web site. Nearly all rafts also include a drogue chute, sort of an oversized water-catching bucket, on 50 (15.24 m) or more of line, an added assurance that wind and waves wont flip the raft. Together they provide a moderately weatherproof closure. The double tubes moderate the low headroom, but space still suffers in comparison to others. each, 640 lbs. Life rafts deteriorate over time and their charging systems slowly lose the capability to inflate them. It takes up space, but if you need one far at sea, a raft like this would be a great asset. It should also be put in a spot where the crew wont be stepping on it, which can cause premature wear or damage. Many companies rent life rafts, including some that will ship them to your location nationwide. The top is convertible and deploys with it furled in the open position. While weather tight, theres not much adjustment-open or closed is about it. Most have large rubber- or composite-coated fabric scoops on the bottom that deploy when the raft hits the water. Boarding over the 9 tubes was very difficult; one tester was unable to board unassisted. Zodiac Racing Super MP6Zodiac sent their MP6 Racing Super model ($2,595), because they didnt yet have anything but a proposed brochure of their new offshore design that will replace the Open Sea line. http://www.avalonrafts.com/raft_rental.htm, https://www.seasafety.com/rental-life-rafts. The MP6 has a great deal in common with West Marines Coastal. Plastimo also has issued an updated Service Bulletin, 99.01.01, with a revised foam packing piece designed to prevent damage to the rafts from the valves. Buy a raft (or two or three) with enough capacity to give everyone likely to be aboard adequate space, particularly if you cruise in remote areas where quick rescue is less likely. The larger raft will also be more sea-kindly, and though its more expensive, its not that much more expensive. Crewsaver Mariner OffshoreCrewsavers Mariner ($3,245/$2,435) is rectangular with a single-arch canopy that always kinked. After testing, the raft and survival kit are repacked and then vacuum-sealed in a new bag to remove air and moisture, and to compress the raft to fit inside its valise or canister. The most notable addition is an effective rigid boarding platform entry aid (as on the CLR6 coastal). Winslow LifeRaft Co., 11700 Winslow Dr., Lake Suzy, FL 34266; 800/838-3012, 941/613-6666, www.winslowliferaft.com.