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Old 03-20-2015, 07:33 PM   #14
psneeld
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City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,148
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wxx3 View Post


While in Maine last year, i spoke to a person of a life raft company and he gave me what I really thought was good advice: I was better going smaller rather than larger, because in the north Atlantic, the big issue will be hypothermia.

I ended getting a 4 person raft from Parks (HopCar), at a very good price, $1800.
I have serious doubts that hypothermia will be thwarted by a smaller area.

The threat of hypothermia is wetness so you better be in gumby suits anyway. If not, the water is wicking away heat and it's impossible to huddle well enough in a rolling pitching raft. You are more likely to elbow someone in the eye, or fall on them and break something than obtain any warmth. The canopies will keep the wind off, but not really retain much heat, especially if there is any spray.

I have spent many hours in life rafts in many different training scenarios, plus debriefed dozens of survivors that were plucked from rafts. Almost to a man, all complained about cramped rafts and those not in gumby suits were lucky to live.
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