The replies/questions bring up a number of points. We did our first coastal voyage to Mexico 45 years ago, when I had a 29 foot sailboat--and was earning $200 a month as a Resident Physician. The "life raft" was a Avon Red Seal inflatable. We carried two solar stills (surplus) and 10 gallons of water in plastic cans. Which were tied onto the inflatable. We made a tarp to lash over the inflatable, and had a CO2 bottle for rapid inflation. At that time, and even 20 years later, when we sailed from California to Europe and back there was no surplus of money--and every dollar counted. Yes, there is a risk benefit ratio as in any situation of life. We have stuck with the high quality inflatable or RIB plus a CO2 inflation bottle for our "life raft". Up thru the mid 90's when we went back thru the Canal Alaska to Florida. We were only asked about a "Certified Raft" once in all of our travels, and that was in Portugal. They were not going to let me leave port until I produced evidence that we had a life raft certified within the last 6 months. I tried to explain the concept of the inflatable with CO2 bottle--but no go. We also had a hard dinghy with 500 lbs of foam flotation--which I also tried to explain--again no progress (my Portuguese was not too good)--until I hit upon the word "Balsa"--That was the magic word. A Balsa raft didn't need to be certified. Incidently how are you going to explain to some port authority in a foreign language, that you have a raft which is vacuum packed and does not need re-certification for 3 years--when their requirement is every two years? We were never asked for life raft information on entering a port--and I doubt if you would be refused entry if this question was answered that you didn't have the required raft. They might refuse to let you leave. In todays world, I probably would have a vacuum packed life raft, and I can now afford one--but there were times when the cost of a raft was our living expense for 3 months. We made a decision based on the risk/benefit. Part of this was from reading all of the stories available about survival--and hearing some which were not published from people whose first aid kits I had put together and who had abandoned ship. Also I had a neighbor who worked as a SOLAS certified raft repair/repack technician. The percent of bad rafts was very high. (Also a great source of one year old Solas flares). I have seen a number of rafts sitting on decks which have gone bad in just a couple of years due to the high heat and humidity--things are better now with vacuum sealing the inner raft--but still some risks. Also a number of boats which are lost due to rolling over, pitch poling, collision with another vessel loose their life rafts. Poof, it opens and blows away--the lanyard breaks.... As far as rapidty of sinking, I know of 3 cases in the last year when the boat sank within minutes--so the window of "hours" which we all assume will be there--may not be present. One has to have written plans for all emergencies--we kept ours laminated by the cabin door--that way there was a check list for any emergency--including abandon ship. Then there is getting into a life raft--of any sort. If you have been in a full storm with hurricane force winds at sea, it becomes quickly obvious that you will have great difficutly getting into a raft (also read the reports about the Sydney to Hobart Race 1998 and how the rafts held up). Probably the best life boats are the rescue pods made of fiberglass--but these have the disadvantage of bulk and weight as well as launching (let the boat sink out from you) 45 years ago there were no EPRIBS-but by 1982 there were, and AMVER was active, so rescue was fairly likely in a few days, unless you were in a remote part of the world. We carried two EPIRBS--one by the companionway, the other in the container in the inflatable "life raft"--also attatched to the lifeboat was 10 gallons of water (fresh water in plastic jerru cans; fresh water in plastic containers float in salt water). We have never carried a hand powered watermaker--just the 10 gallons of water (plus cups) and solar stills, along with water collection materials--and EPIRBS. The "Ditch bag"--we had several of the plastic wide mouth containers about 10" on a side and 20 some inches long--they hold a lot of materials, and are water proof with a screw on lid--these were lashed in the "lifeboat". All of our survival gear was well secured in the "life boat". Also wet suits for the crew were lashed in the boat. In the past we did have "lifeboat Navigation"--what if we had to try and make to a coast? I know of several instances where small boats have made 300 to 500 mile trips to safety using a sailing dinghy--not possiable in a life raft. Another plus for a RIB as a life boat--it has a motor--and how often have you heard stories of a "ship passing us by"--with the motor, there is a much better chance of intercept. (all of these tend to apply more to Pre EPRIB worlds.) Fast foreward to modern times: We feel that personal EPIRB's GPS enabled which can be carried by each member of the crew make a lot of sense. Maybe one in the ditch bag and one on the skipper's jacket. Same with a submersiable VHF radio. DSC for distress--not reliable enough for offshore and even coastal cruising. If you watch the sales, you can get a personal EPIRB for $500. Other items: I agree on the Solas Flares--but these are just for location--as is the smoke, dye and hand held flares. We have one floatable ditch bag just for flares, but todays rescue will be from the EPRIB. signal. Don't count on a merchant ship seeing even a Solas flare in the night. The lone person on the bridge may be doing something else than looking your direction. Fishing kit for surival, harpoon, gall ? We used to carry those.. Vitamine pills, energy bars, pencil and paper. Deck of cards, Copy of passport, ID, agree with copy of credit cards and ships papers in a sealed container. Multipurpose tool, knife, cigarette lighter, Duct tape, electrical tape, short pieces of wire, small Visegrip. ARC combination flashlight and strobe light (two)--plus personal strobes on the life jacket. One space blanket for each person aboard. Plastic tarp--bright orange. All radios, flashlights and strobes work on AA batteries. There are at least a dozen extra AA batteries in our ditch bag. Yes, we have a signal mirror, whistle, small air horn-, compass, but in todays world less likely to play a role. Small first aid kit--mostly for wounds--Betadine swabs, tripple antibiotic, dressings, triangular bandages, small Sams splint, Bonine chewable, The other issue is that people need to stay with the boat if at all possiable. Boats are easier to find, they actually offer a better chance of survival than a raft--the only reason to leave the boat is if it is going under or on fire. Many boats abandoned have been found long peroids of time (years) later, and still floating thousands of miles from where they were abandoned. John Harris asked one of the more important questions--and that is staying in a life boat in heavy seas--I would say 10 foot may not be an issue (for I don't consider 10 foot seas all that bad, although it is significant for a 10 foot dinghy--which may or may not capsize)--40 foot and breaking is. When young, our philosphy was to stay with what ever craft we launched and depend on our strength as swimmers/divers etc to survive during the acute storm phase. (assuming that the boat sank in a storm) As we get older this is no longer an option. But in any breaking sea both a life raft (even with the best ballast pockets) and a dinghy/RIB fitted as a life boat will be very difficult to stay in, but a high quality raft does have a edge. Conclusion, if you are young and secure with your abilities- or are staying near coast--then a dinghy/RIB properly fitted will suffice. Older crew, offshore, the high quality life raft has the edge. For Scott's trips--and I have sailed many of these routes--all three are passages. The gear you take will be the same. Bob Austin