I have decided to buy a life raft..am I nuts?

[mike cunningham]

The datasheet for the 4-person (Viking RescYou™ Pro) liferaft I've carried in two SHTPs is described here: http://admin.sds.viking-life.com/fil....aspx?id=17563

The certificate includes that it has 4 person capacity and complies with 'Type 1 Group A' of ISO 9650-1.

The liferaft contents didn't include all the SHTP-required signaling devices, so i bought the missing stuff separately and store it in my ditch bag. If you get one, i highly recommend you ask to see it packed.

I like this plan. Done.

With regard to pre-owned rafts some fellow is Washington State is trying to sell a raft manufactured in 1980...needs recert... ummm I don't think so.

[The Smokester]

No we are not, You are looking at the right one and I am looking at the requirements for the 2015 LongPac which I foolishly assumed were the same. In fact they are different. Why? I haven't a clue. But the requirements for SHTP seem to be less rigorous than those for the LongPac.

The people in charge are confirming the rest of us are mentally sound by ensuring we can sort through all of this administrivia and reach the correct conclusion. Very very crafty.

As well as the liferaft ones, the storm sail requirements for the 2016 Transpac are slightly different than the 2015 Longpac. If you buy based on Transpac requirements you might not meet requirements for other ocean races.

[pbryant]

Practical Sailor has a good comparison of 6-man rafts here: http://www.practical-sailor.com/issu...es_5422-1.html (2007).

I'm planning on buying the Viking RescYou 4-man raft, not the "Pro" version. Like the Practical Sailor reviewers, I don't like the high windage/wave exposure of the Pro canopy. If the raft inflates inverted, I'll have to flip it. It also weighs 11 pounds less than the Pro. Both have the same ISO 9650 Type I certs. I also do overwater flights as a commercial pilot, and the prospect of shoving 11 pounds less out a cabin door really matters (the aviation liferaft I use now is a joke).

[dhusselman]

Practical Sailor has a good comparison of 6-man rafts here: http://www.practical-sailor.com/issu...es_5422-1.html (2007).

I'm planning on buying the Viking RescYou 4-man raft, not the "Pro" version. Like the Practical Sailor reviewers, I don't like the high windage/wave exposure of the Pro canopy. If the raft inflates inverted, I'll have to flip it. It also weighs 11 pounds less than the Pro. Both have the same ISO 9650 Type I certs. I also do overwater flights as a commercial pilot, and the prospect of shoving 11 pounds less out a cabin door really matters (the aviation liferaft I use now is a joke).

Agreed with your assessment. I ordered the RescYou 4-man raft, not the Pro.


Dirk "TIJD" - First 30JK

[mike cunningham]

At risk of beating a dead horse...

I decided upon the Viking RescYou 4 man but have held off a buy to eek out the max cert duration on the new raft. In the meantime I have continued to check out other possibilities.

I came across this on Craigslist:

http://olympic.craigslist.org/bpo/5545429605.html

I got a very rapid response from the seller org which is

https://www.spindriftrowing.com/

I called and spoke to Sonya - she confirmed price and ISO cert.

This seems like a very attractive package for about $800 less than the Viking (valise models)

datasheet here: http://www.datrex.com/index/pdfdownloads/doc_id/8

Sonya is shipping some rafts to Monterey in coming days (apparently she is outfitting some rowers) and she needed a third order to get free shipment. I am seriously thinking of jumping on board.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[SeanRhone]

Not to dissuade you, but last month I was at a Safety at Sea class in Annapolis MD and they demo'd a Viking RescYou Pro 4 person raft and it didn't deploy all that well. Now, I'm guessing this was a demo life raft that had been used dozens of times before and maybe it just needed to be changed out, but it didn't fully inflate and was missing the manual inflation pump (got a video of this if anyone wants to see it).

That being said, Viking RescYou Pro is one of the life rafts I am looking at for my own use when I hopefully do the SHTP in 2018.

[Philpott]

Couldn't we invite the Viking RescYou folks out to a "Deploy Off" with other raft makers?

[CRC1965]

Another cost to consider is the inspection and repacking. I have crawled around on the Viking and it seems quite tough and well built. The higher windage of the pro is offset by its ability to self right.......in theory.
Chris