The canopy should be open for easy entry when the raft deploys, and should have a convenient and secure means of closing to keep seas out. Canopy support tubes should be auto-inflating, and a single tube is minimal; two or four are better. Viewing ports are useful, but found only on the more expensive rafts. Some people find that an orange canopy interior promotes seasickness.

A self-inflating boarding ramp is better than a web ladder. In tests, even some uninjured and non-hypothermic volunteers have been unable to get into rafts that lacked boarding ramps. Rafts should also have hand holds to help the crew maintain stability and attachment points so that gear can be tied in, though you will have to inspect the rafts to look for these features because they are often not listed on spec sheets.

Much has been written about the relative merits of various ballast devices. Generally, the big hemispherical or toroidal bags do more to prevent capsizing than do the smaller v-pockets. In most cases, the bigger the ballast bags the better, and they should have weights sewn into their lower seams to make them fill immediately.

Less has been written about the "sea anchor" or drogue, which is intended to keep the raft from blowing away quickly and works as part of the stability system, holding the windward side of the raft down to prevent capsize.

Whatever model you chose, the drogue should be self-deploying and use a swivel to accommodate twisting and prevent fouling. Your raft should have rugged attachment points that are capable of withstanding the heavy loads placed by a sea anchor.

SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT

A cost-conscious captain has to decide which features and options are essential. Options include various equipment packs, as well as accessories like paddles and bailers, strobe lights and survival rations.

Unless you have one of the SOLAS A or B packs (for more information, see link below), you may be surprised at how little Survival Equipment your raft contains. The Survival Equipment Pack, often referred to as the SEP, on a typical coastal raft may contain no food, water, flares, signaling devices (other than a mirror) or first aid supplies. The "repair kit" probably contains some patches and glue that can only be applied to a clean, dry surface.Steven Callahan

The good news is that most packs have some available space and you can add a few items of your own, at least at repack time if not prior to original purchase. The less expensive the raft, the more you'll probably want to add. Small items like spare eyeglasses, personal medicines, seasickness drugs, and duct tape can easily be included. Some people also add electronic signaling devices.

Whatever your pack contains, make sure that your raft has an adequate bailer, sponges, a knife, a manual inflation pump, paddles, a water-activated light, and written instructions in a language you can read. Published life raft reviews describe many rafts that are deficient in these categories. Also, buy a set of raft repair clamps. The threaded plugs provided with many rafts are not adequate for closing anything but small puncture holes.

It is important to carry a separate "ditch bag" – a waterproof dry bag, specially marked and readily accessible – filled with necessary items that are not packed into the raft.

Ditch bags are a topic all their own, but most will include water bottles, concentrated foods like energy bars, space blankets, extra clothing, a strobe or flares, a hand-held marine VHF, a GPS, an EPIRB or the new Personal Locator Beacon and even a satellite phone. The bag must be stowed where you or your crew can easily grab it in case of an emergency.

The ditch bag allows you to customize its contents. You can buy batteries, flares, over-the-counter medications and other supplies at discount store prices, rather than pay the premium for Coast Guard-approved supplies. Be sure to annually replace items that may go bad.

THE CONTAINER

One of the most important decisions concerns container and carrying options.

Rafts with SOLAS A and SOLAS B packs and those rated for "ocean service" or "limited service" must be stowed in float-free containers, which means hard canisters mounted in above-deck cradles. Federal law allows other classes of rafts to be stowed anywhere they are readily accessible, so soft valise containers technically are permissible.