Recommendations on six person life raft

[Jawbreaker]

Looking to purchase a six person life raft now that I can head farther off shore than with my old boat. Neighbor has a Winslow 6 person raft which is very compact in its case. Any thoughts and recommendations greatly appreciated!

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

i just bought a Arimar Oceanus C6 for the same reason, but the bag version.
Looks good but fortunately i never used it.
Chris

 

[kirk a]

I'm happy with the Viking raft I purchased. I opted for the valise, rather than the hard mount. If I were to do over, I'd probably get the hard mount and put it on the hardtop. As it sits, it tends to take up a good deal of space in the cabin and is somewhat heavy. Purchased through LRSE in Rhode Island. They also did the first certification last fall. I highly recommend their services.

 

[luckydude]

How far off shore are you guys going? I've done 60 mile off shore runs without issue but I'm headed where everyone else is headed for BFT. So many boats out there you have to be careful to not cut off someone else's lines (I let a buddy skipper my boat and he did that, lesson learned, run your own damn boat).

If I were going that far offshore and I knew it was likely I would be alone (A) I wouldn't do that and (B) then I'd want a raft.

I looked into the various rafts. They are all inshore or coastal, the brand you guys mentioned said 12 miles (though why that is magic I dunno, outside is outside). If you are going way out, you'd want something that could handle those swells and chop.

Personnally, I'd buddy boat if I were prospecting where there aren't other people. You can spread out, VHF with 8 foot should get you at least 10 miles, so two boats can cover some ground.

 

[Thor's Outlaw]

Following this thread as Ive been shopping around for one myself. Got my EPIRB, Zoleo Sat Communicator just need a raft next and Ill push my "little" 228 farther to find some bigger Yellowfins.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I opted for Gumby suits instead of a raft. But I only need 4.
Thought process is that the water is friggin cold and you probably ain't getting in the raft dry.
Suits don't need inspection and repack.
4 suits are $1200 once.
They do take more space than a raft bag

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

How far off shore are you guys going? I've done 60 mile off shore runs without issue but I'm headed where everyone else is headed for BFT. So many boats out there you have to be careful to not cut off someone else's lines (I let a buddy skipper my boat and he did that, lesson learned, run your own damn boat).

I can go 28 miles offshore, then it becomes too deep
After 3 miles offshore i am 99% alone and ferry's pass about 6 miles from land.
At least in Italy if not in whole Europe:
After 6 miles a simpler raft is required
after 12 miles a bigger, more sturdy and better equipped for unlimited distance raft is required
Chris

 

[Jawbreaker]

Thanks guys for the quick response. Been offshore 30+ miles so far, still getting used to all of the boat. It has been awesome. I already have an ACR epirb beacon, but just want to have a life raft as a back up too. Safety first!

 

[g0tagrip]

I went with a SURVITEC 6 man offshore Rescue Case, I went with the valise version. I have gone 120-132 miles offshore, but normally only 65-75. I have all the safety toys, EPIRB, etc.