Top 6 Features to Look for When Buying a Life Raft

When on your boat and things get out of hand to the point that you need to get off of your boat, you will need a life raft. As much fun as boating can be, things could always go wrong so you should always be prepared. But when it comes to life rafts, you should always look for a few features that will help ensure that you will make it back to safety. Learn what they are now so that you don’t get stuck with a lemon of a raft.

1. The very first thing you should look for is a raft that is big enough for everyone who is aboard your boat. It would be terrible if your boat somehow capsized or sank, but it would be even worse if you didn’t have enough life raft room for everyone.

2. A great feature for your raft to have is a container with a carbon dioxide cylinder. The container will protect the raft until it is needed and the cylinder will automatically inflate the raft when you pull the ripcord. The container will be sloughed off and the raft will be inflated immediately. Having it ready fast is important in an emergency.

3. Since you may not know how long you will be stranded at sea, it is important to have shelter from the elements. That is why you should always make sure the life raft has a good canopy. It will shield you and the other passengers from the hot sun, the cold rain, and the fierce wind.

4. Another feature that is extremely helpful is a gutter system for catching rainwater. This is very important because if you are stuck in the raft for a long period of time, you will run out of water. People can go without food for much longer than they can without water. If the raft has a rain catching system built into it, then it could really save your life.

5. Though you can survive in a raft without any equipment, you should try to find a quality life raft that comes with an equipment pack. The pack will have important things like paddles, a bailing pail to get water out, a repair kit to fix holes, and a pump to refill the raft if the air is getting low. Keep the pack next to the life raft container so you can grab it at the same time as the raft.

6. In addition to an equipment pack, it would be ideal if the raft comes with a signaling kit. It will have things like a signaling mirror, a whistle, handheld flares, parachute flares, and waterproof flashlights. Like the equipment pack, you should stow the signaling kit with the life raft container. These things will help people find you quicker.

If you could find a life raft with all of these qualities, then you will have the best chance of returning to safety. Though you don’t necessarily need all of these features, it would be extremely advantageous to have them when you need them. Hopefully you won’t need to use the life raft, but it is much better to be safe than sorry.