On Mon, 07 Feb 2005 04:32:39 GMT, "Greg"
wrote:

To barge in, here is a topic just brought to my attention, although this
probably belongs in rec.boats.cruising...

I just finished the book Adrift, by Steven Callahan (76 days Lost at Sea),
and have to ask why anyone would buy an inflatable raft for emergencies.
Sure, safe at home, I can think of several, but after reading his account
and seeing how much better off he would have been with an "unsinkable" foam
and fiberglass dinghy, they seem to be a very poor choice.

Granted, his "real" sailboat was a homebuilt 21 footer and it went down in a
mighty empty piece of ocean (south-west of canaries), but after reading his
story, rubber rafts seem VERY undesirable - although a notch up from going
down with the ship, to be sure.

Any one else read the book or have thoughts on the matter?

I haven't read the book, but what would make an inflatable life raft
undesirable?

Compact, easy to store, designed to float to the surface, provide
shelter from the elements and are reasonably tough.

What's not to like?

Later,

Tom

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I haven't read the book, but what would make an inflatable life raft
undesirable?

Compact, easy to store, designed to float to the surface, provide
shelter from the elements and are reasonably tough.

What's not to like?

Part of the problem was caused by his extended stay, obviously.
But the waves really pounded him, at times even folding the raft. It
took on water pretty easy, which led to sal****er sores/ulcers. He had
to daily reinflate the raft, which once hunger set in, became a more
critical issue.
The canopy waterproofing wore off - more water. A fish he speared
ripped the bottom tube, which he was able to patch and reinflate. And
the worst was the fish biting and sharks hitting him thru the bottom.
He was pretty much in constant fear of a shark biting thru the raft -
especially when the bottom tube was punctured and his feet extended an
obvious distance below the raft.
Again, some of this was definitely due to the 76 days before rescue
(1800 miles later near Guadeloupe).
But I could see the wildwife and swamping by waves a serious issue for
shorter stays. This was in 1982. Maybe current rafts do a better job?

I recommend the book, very good read.


Later,

Tom

On 7 Feb 2005 09:46:29 -0800, "Greg"
wrote:


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I haven't read the book, but what would make an inflatable life raft
undesirable?

Compact, easy to store, designed to float to the surface, provide
shelter from the elements and are reasonably tough.

What's not to like?

Part of the problem was caused by his extended stay, obviously.
But the waves really pounded him, at times even folding the raft. It
took on water pretty easy, which led to sal****er sores/ulcers. He had
to daily reinflate the raft, which once hunger set in, became a more
critical issue.
The canopy waterproofing wore off - more water. A fish he speared
ripped the bottom tube, which he was able to patch and reinflate. And
the worst was the fish biting and sharks hitting him thru the bottom.
He was pretty much in constant fear of a shark biting thru the raft -
especially when the bottom tube was punctured and his feet extended an
obvious distance below the raft.
Again, some of this was definitely due to the 76 days before rescue
(1800 miles later near Guadeloupe).
But I could see the wildwife and swamping by waves a serious issue for
shorter stays. This was in 1982. Maybe current rafts do a better job?

I recommend the book, very good read.

I'll just say this - it kept him afloat and alive didn't it?

'Nuff said. :)

I've never had the oppotunity to live in one for even a couple of
days, but I think I'd rather have one than not.

I'll look the book up - thanks for the info.

Later,

Tom