I think the subject has arisen previously, but can't locate the thread. So here goes. I have an inflatable tender which always remains inflated on deck. It is more than capable of carrying myself and grab bag, including water and rations. Is there a necessity, or legal requirement, to carry a liferaft as well. Any thoughts/info?
Cisco, where is it written that a liferaft is required for clearing customs for international trip? For recreational sailing I can find no reference anywhere that it is mandatory. Qld requirements for ' beyond partially smooth waters ' don't even list liferafts. Solas appears to relate to commercial only. Not having a go, just curious as different agencies and persons seem to have their own idea, but none can provide references.
I agree with both you and ramonas comments and sadly the more I research the subject the more instances of tradgedy and liferafts I'm finding. At least with the inflatable I can sit in it and float off the boat as she goes under, whereas it's a case of is the liferaft going to work and how do I control it.
Thanks for the input.
Hi featherhead,
Having done the Sea Safety Survival course, I'd recommend it to anyone going offshore and especially anyone equipped with a liferaft. The last place you want to be learning about one of those is out at sea in a howling gale when your boat is sinking. 
What the course taught me most is that almost the last place you want to be is in the liferaft, as Ramona says. No way I would step into one unless the boat is sinking - but you definitely don't want to try climbing into one if you can avoid it either. Still, it's a damn sight better than bobbing about in the water.
In their defence though, remember that a liferaft is built to help you survive against the worst the sea can throw at you, not to be pleasant. While no doubt an inflatable or dinghy can be a Good Thing, you need to think about some of the situations you could potentially face. Will an inflatable protect you against windchill? Will you be able to protect yourself from exposure to sun, rain and spray? Does it have inbuilt features to help prevent capsize? If capsized, will you and all the contents remain in the inflatable or will your entire food and water supply simply float away? If you manage to right it, can you get back in? If your motor won't start (or you're too buggered to row) do you have a sea anchor to help stop you being blown away?
A liferaft won't guarantee survival but at least it has features that'll help in all of the above scenarios. Of course, in the end, it's up to you to weigh up the situation and make the decision you think best in your case. These are just some points for you to consider along the way.
The primary reason for the post is that I am currently prepping a boat to cross the Tasman and later this year the Coral Seas. This is when the question of liferafts and legalities raised its head, and quite simply I'm having trouble finding a legit reference.
My doubts on liferafts come from initially when I did my survival at sea course. When explaining the benefits, correct useage etc the instructor activated the demo liferaft. The inflation airline blew out almost taking our faces with it and we were left with an uninflated liferaft. This prompted my curiosity as to their reliability and alternatives. I have since discovered some horrific incidents involving failures, and unfortunately loss of life.
I suppose there are pros and cons whichever way one decides, and it would be virtually impossible to find the perfect solution for every possible scenario. Waves coming over the top, 40 kt plus winds, boat breaking up quickly or does it happen on a perfect day with calm seas and very slowly???
Thanks for the input fellas, I guess the best way to go would be to have both. More $$$$.
The best backup would be a second boat on standby... but what are the chances of any of us actually being able to pull that one off!!? 
If you manage to find any hard information about the legalities, let us know. And maybe keep us posted on what you do end up deciding to go with, featherhead.
Thanks cisco, Ramona & maxm, really apprieciate your time taken to answer the good question.
I'd also recommend the Safety At Sea Course(the practical one where you actually get in the liferaft in the pool), even if you dont own a liferaft, as you never know, you may end up doing a passage on a yacht that does have one, & you will be at a great advantage having done the course, also many survival tips are picked up eg:keep some seasick medication in the grab-bag or liferaft & make it compulsory for all to take it if you end up in the liferaft, even the saltiest seadog may succumb under the stress, & its very contagious & dangerous(dehydration,lethargy,pessimisum) in those circumstances.
Ramona, in your 2nd last paragraph, you say "Bucket to fill dinghy with water" is that right? or a typo?
cheers
pardon me butting in here blokes, I find much wisdom here,
something that no one has mentioned is the uselessness of
some situations. Such as the yacht people that were claimed
in a recent yacht race where they hit rocks in the night I think two
were claimed on rocks that would have destroyed life raft or rubber
ducky, there are others.
Personal flotation and location devices are a must at all times, including
recreational fishing. Quite often after an evacuation the boat is found in good
condition nearby within a few hours. There are many people who should not go to
sea, they shout mayday and abandon ship or cause the wocker wocker call out for
winching when the problem is in their mind, they are cold, wet and scared
you lot talk a bout safety as you have lern't it in a class room try the real thing and see that a life raft is the only answer in the extreme conditions when you need it
The boat is fairly well prepped to date. Oversize rigging, sails in good nick, safety lines and tethers, once battened down she is fairly water tight, all new thru hulls and cocks, with bungs tied to each, 3 pump systems, new 406, Iridium sat phone, HF and VHF, new inflatable, sea anchor and drogue, flare kit to light up the Tasman and grab bag. My system so far has grab bag secured to the tender, all I have to do is attach myself and cut one line to float free. Grab bag contains epirb, flares and sat phone along with water and food. Still to decide on liferaft, unless authorities make decision for me. Have absolutely no intention of leaving boat until she's under, and then with reluctance.
Liferafts also sail downwind quite fast. Thanks again.
Whiteout or wipped out?
then have a go you FAIRLY WELL PREPARED arm chair yachtie I live the dream you are completating you have never been past 40 degrees south so put your LEAK BOAT to the test. I have a few times
