I recently purchased a 32' Albemarle Express Fisherman. I also just
purchased an ACR Globalfix 406Mhz EPIRB with built in GPS. The next item on
my want / NEED list is a liferaft. I've been doing lots of reading about
them and am kinda puzzled.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions as to which brand, size etc
to buy.

I think the extra $$ spent for a raft in a canister with hydrostatic release
is worth it. A typical fishing trip for me could be up to 80 miles off of
the coast of the Carolinas. We would GENERALLY have 3 to 6 people, but I
couldn't rule out more on a rare occasion. I've seen a wide range of
prices. While I don't want to have to take out a mortgage on a liferaft, if
I ever had to actually use it, I may feel differently.

Any suggestions?

Gary wrote:
I recently purchased a 32' Albemarle Express Fisherman. I also just
purchased an ACR Globalfix 406Mhz EPIRB with built in GPS. The next item on
my want / NEED list is a liferaft. I've been doing lots of reading about
them and am kinda puzzled.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions as to which brand, size etc
to buy.

I think the extra $$ spent for a raft in a canister with hydrostatic release
is worth it. A typical fishing trip for me could be up to 80 miles off of
the coast of the Carolinas. We would GENERALLY have 3 to 6 people, but I
couldn't rule out more on a rare occasion. I've seen a wide range of
prices. While I don't want to have to take out a mortgage on a liferaft, if
I ever had to actually use it, I may feel differently.

Any suggestions?






http://www.switlik.com/

Eisboch

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 04:55:12 -0400, Eisboch
wrote:

Gary wrote:
I recently purchased a 32' Albemarle Express Fisherman. I also just
purchased an ACR Globalfix 406Mhz EPIRB with built in GPS. The next item on
my want / NEED list is a liferaft. I've been doing lots of reading about
them and am kinda puzzled.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions as to which brand, size etc
to buy.

I think the extra $$ spent for a raft in a canister with hydrostatic release
is worth it. A typical fishing trip for me could be up to 80 miles off of
the coast of the Carolinas. We would GENERALLY have 3 to 6 people, but I
couldn't rule out more on a rare occasion. I've seen a wide range of
prices. While I don't want to have to take out a mortgage on a liferaft, if
I ever had to actually use it, I may feel differently.

Any suggestions?

http://www.switlik.com/

Ditto.

A lot of the bigger boats around here have these.

TTFN,

Tom

"Bodies are for hookers and fat people."
Bender - "Futurama"

On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 02:10:27 GMT, "Gary"
wrote:
I recently purchased a 32' Albemarle Express Fisherman. I also just
purchased an ACR Globalfix 406Mhz EPIRB with built in GPS. The next item on
my want / NEED list is a liferaft. I've been doing lots of reading about
them and am kinda puzzled.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions as to which brand, size etc
to buy.

I think the extra $$ spent for a raft in a canister with hydrostatic release
is worth it. A typical fishing trip for me could be up to 80 miles off of
the coast of the Carolinas. We would GENERALLY have 3 to 6 people, but I
couldn't rule out more on a rare occasion. I've seen a wide range of
prices. While I don't want to have to take out a mortgage on a liferaft, if
I ever had to actually use it, I may feel differently.

Any suggestions?
======================================

When you see the actual size of an inflated 6 man raft you will
quickly realize that it is far better to err on the large size. In
addition to Switlik, Avon and Viking also are well known brands.

http://www.avoninflatables.com/liferafts/

http://www.viking-life.com

What ever brand you buy, make sure you have a service center near you.
All liferafts should be repacked and recertified once a year.

wayne wrote:

-When you see the actual size of an inflated 6 man raft you will quickly
realize that it is far better to err on the large size. In addition to
Switlik, Avon and Viking also are well known brands-

Bilge-This is true...3 people in a 3 person raft are going to get
"chummy"...intimate even.

And when the seasickness hits you...and it will...boy, what fun!

Also, a larger raft makes a larger visual target...something of prime concern
when it's naught but CO2 and rubber between your hiney and the deep blue sea.

Ditto the annual checkout...wouldn't you just be the fool when your neglected
raft deploys, inflates, blows a hole, and sinks without a trace.

Bummer,dude!

Regards;




Mutiny is a Management Tool
Select Your Tattoo while Sober

"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will
look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."
-- Mahatma Gandhi