We also wanted to see how Elliot, a life raft we did not test last time, would do. This time around, we were curious to see how life rafts built or upgraded to the new standards compared to the ones we tested.
15, 2003) the Winslow Ocean Pro was our favorite, and the Viking RescYou Pro earned Best Buy honors. In our last life raft test (“ Life Rafts Revisited,” Jan. Whenever an industry reviews its own standards, Practical Sailor re-examines its own testing procedures and criteria.Īgainst the backdrop of this new regulatory landscape (see “ Life Raft Standards,”), we carried out an in-depth test of eight life rafts: DSB ISAF raft, Elliot SOLAS raft, Switlik MD-3 raft, Switlik SAR-MKII raft, Viking RescYou (UKL), Viking RescYou Pro (USKL), Winslow Ocean Rescue, and the Zodiac Class Ocean ISAF raft. Since our last extensive test of life rafts in 2002, both the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) formal guidelines for building recreational small-craft life rafts have taken shape, and the major players are scrambling for certification under these standards. As far as standards go, SOLAS is clearly top notch. The Practical Sailor comparison features an in-depth look at eight life rafts: the DSB ISAF raft, Elliot SOLAS raft, Switlik MD-3 raft, Switlik SAR-MKII raft, Viking RescYou (UKL), Viking RescYou Pro (USKL), Winslow Ocean Rescue, and the Zodiac Class Ocean ISAF raft. New criteria for life rafts for recreational boats have been established by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the International Standards Organization (IS0). Our life raft test is carried out against the backdrop of relatively new marine safety standards.