"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...


So far the only person who has said he carries a life raft is Wayne.
Expected given the size of his boat.
Gfretwell doesn't go offshore - I think.
But though it appears to be a good idea carrying one if you go
offshore, I expect hardly any small boaters will equip them.
What sold me the most on it being a good idea is that it would have
saved the football guys from what killed them - hypothermia.
And in not really cold water.
Guess it just depends on your outlook about boating safety.

--Vic



I had USCG approved survival pods on the last three boats I've had, but as
of yet have not put one on the current boat. (Mainly because I am not sure
I am going to keep it). The Egg, the Navigator and the GB all had the
fiberglass canisters that automatically deployed when the sensor was
submerged. All were four man except the one on the Navigator which was a
six man raft.

They ain't cheap. Switlik now markets a series of rafts that although not
USCG approved, appear to be very similar to the approved types and are about
half the cost. They are probably ideal for the recreational, non-commercial
boater.

If I were to do any long range cruising, I'd install one on the current
boat, along with a new EPIRB, but I don't see that happening at the moment.

Eisboch