Leaving nearshore waters without a life raft aboard is taking your life in your hands. Considering the relatively moderate cost, a quality raft is one of the least expensive yet most important parts of yacht equipment.

And, well-designed models like the Revere Offshore Regatta series available from Defender take up surprisingly little space aboard. 

The Regatta models check all the boxes for a quality offshore life raft. Included features are: 

• Highly visible green canopy 
• Exterior locator light
• Interior Light
• SOLAS Retro-reflective tape
• Boarding ramp and knee boarding ladder
• Insulated Floor
• Internal safety lines
• External lifelines
• Rainwater collection system
• Observation port
• Vacuum packed
• 4 ballast bags
• Independent buoyancy tubes
• <24 hour pack
• 5+ sq ft. per person
• 3 years inspection interval

The 8-person model is just 28.25” x 20” x 9.84” in a rigid container that protects it from sea and sun. It can be mounted on a bow deck or hard top, or stored in a readily accessible compartment where space is available. It weighs 97 pounds including the container. 

Revere’s Regatta valise style model is slightly smaller and about 10 pounds lighter in the 8-person design. Like the canister design, it inflates immediately with a hard pull on the lanyard.

All versions of the Regatta series include a survival pack with sea anchor, paddle, flares, signal mirror, flashlight, seasick pills and other necessary gear.

The available stainless steel cradle allows for secure on-deck mounting of the Revere Regatta series life rafts.

Prices range from $1,639.99 - $2,241.99 from Defender, making the Regatta series one of the more affordable certified offshore life rafts.