Liferaft: Hire or Buy

[sc1111]

Hi All
Just starting the process to get our new boat coded and wanting peoples advice and experience as to whether to buy out right or hire a liferaft?
Thanks

[AMac]

depends on the size
small 4, 6 0r 8 man are better bought
larger 10, 12 or more are more cost efective to be hired
this was the opinion i came to last year when i needed to get our
12 man renewed

[SW Boat Transport]

I have always gone for the hire route, as a annual service costs nearly as much as the hire fee.

[C2 RIBS]

Always worth remembering that the new liferafts have a three year service interval that is accepted for coding so no services if you buy for three years, quite a saving then on ISO 9650 Type rafts.
Worth checking service costs against hire, I still buy and sell them before service date or after to schools who run survival courses

[Onboard]

I need a 12 man so rent two 6 man rafts and for the last 3 years have found it noticeably cheaper to hire. I will admit though that the gap has narrowed and some of the new compact 12 man rafts are very convenient and even in cannisters are very neatly stored. I suspect Ian's right, if you sell at the right time and price and I may be tempted to try and do exactly that for the new boat this year, selling after two seasons and buying again ?
For sheer convenience - renting from the right company takes some beating though and certainly avoids further capital outlay.

[sc1111]

Thanks all for your answers.

One issue we have is due to our location its anywhere between £50-£100 to get a liferaft each way to and from the islands to send for a service. So probably looking like the buying option.

Been looking at the crewsaver 12 man as seems small slim cannister, any opinions?

While Im on here any suggestions on good quality, hard wearing, easy to slip on and off but also good looking lifejackets? Or perhaps any brands to avoid.

Thanks