Practical Sailor's gear and boat reviews take the guesswork out of your buying decisions.

Volume 26
Number 9
May 1, 2000

Life Rafts: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Part 1—Extensive in-water tests and examinations of 25 rafts find considerable differences in stability, comfort and safety equipment. Here’s help in identifying the most important features.

by Douglas S. Ritter

This photo of the life rafts tested shows the
ûvariety of shapes and canopy styles, plus one
vs. two tubes.

With lives at stake, we expect manufacturers of safety equipment to value our lives, and those we care about, as much as we do. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, as we discovered yet again when we evaluated life rafts. Mind you, all the rafts tested could save your life if everything goes right, but we’re inclined to believe that is not likely always going to be the case, otherwise why would you bother with a life raft in the first place? …

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