On Fri, 6 Mar 2009 08:30:43 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:01:01 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

The Everglades boat looked a bit top-heavy anyway, and rafts look to
be about 60-100 lbs, depending.

It is ironic that very few boats under 35 ft carry life rafts but they
are the ones that most need them. There are soft pack rafts that
weigh less than 50 lbs. All life rafts however have a significant
hidden expense: They must be repacked and recertified every 1 to 3
years depending on the manufacturer and model.


Repacking and recertification is legally required only if the boat is
chartered for hire.
If used on a private, recreational boat it is still a good idea to have them
repacked, but not really necessary every year.

If certification is not required, you can do it yourself. Like
parachutes. Everyone packs the one they plan to land with.
The reserve is, like the one on an ejection seat, an emergency rig,
and must be packed, and signed off by, a licenced rigger.
If there is no regulation, you can roll your own, somewhat. Like
annually changing the 100 AA batteries. The VHF and GPS are always in
the PFD pockets, of course.

Casady