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Plastimo Life Rafts & Accessories

18 Years of Confidence at Sea

Bainbridge International is the Official U.S. Distributor of Plastimo. Shop brand-new Plastimo life rafts for coastal, offshore, and blue-water use, available in multiple capacities and canister or valise configurations.

Why Choose Plastimo life rafts: 18-year warranty, double-chamber construction, patented firing head, and coastal, offshore and blue-water options

Special Pricing on Select Plastimo Life Rafts

Save Up to 55% on Select Brand-New Life Rafts

Select Plastimo life rafts are specially priced because they have an earlier first scheduled service date. These units are brand new and unused and remain eligible for the applicable Plastimo warranty when required servicing is completed.

Brand New
Earlier First Service
Reduced Price
Limited Quantities

Review each product page for its specific first service date, warranty requirements and model details.

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Plastimo Life Raft FAQs

A closer look at the design, safety features and practical details behind Plastimo life rafts — and how to choose the right raft for your boat and type of sailing.

What makes Plastimo life raft design stand out?

Plastimo has specialized in life raft development since 1979, when it introduced its patented tube-within-a-tube construction. Over time, Plastimo also developed innovations such as vacuum-packed life rafts and an assisted firing head. Its Lorient operation has been ISO 9001 certified for life raft design, manufacture and servicing since 1998. Together, these features reflect a long-term focus on life raft engineering, protection, deployment and serviceability rather than simply the equipment packed inside the raft.

How does Plastimo double-chamber construction benefit a life raft?

Plastimo's tube-within-a-tube design separates the airtight inner chamber from the outer protective structure. This allows the outer material to help protect the inflation chamber from the wear and abrasion encountered in a marine environment. On current ORC+ models, Plastimo uses an abrasion-resistant 1100 Decitex PVC outer shell together with a polyurethane inner chamber designed for high elasticity and airtightness. The result is a construction concept focused on protecting the part of the raft responsible for maintaining buoyancy.

Why does Plastimo use an assisted firing head?

In an emergency, deployment should be as straightforward and dependable as possible. Plastimo developed its assisted firing head as part of the raft's inflation system, with the goal of helping initiate reliable deployment when the raft is needed. Many Plastimo models also feature automatic arch-tube inflation, allowing the canopy structure to take shape as the raft inflates. These are small engineering details in normal storage, but potentially important ones during an actual abandonment situation.

How is a Plastimo life raft protected while it is stored onboard?

A life raft may spend years packed away before it is ever needed, so storage protection matters. Plastimo was an early developer of vacuum-packed life rafts, adding another protective layer around the packed raft before it is placed inside its valise or canister. The valise or rigid canister then provides the raft's outer storage protection. The exact packaging varies by model and configuration.

How do Plastimo life rafts help protect occupants after boarding?

Depending on the model, Plastimo incorporates features intended to address several challenges after occupants enter the raft. Insulating double floors provide additional thermal protection from cold water below. Ballast pockets help stabilize the raft in rough conditions, while floating anchors or drogues help control drift and orientation. Protective canopies provide shelter from exposure, and offshore models may include expanded survival and signaling equipment. Always check the individual model specifications because equipment levels vary.

What Plastimo features can make a life raft easier to see and board?

Visibility and boarding can become critical when conditions are poor. Depending on the model, Plastimo uses high-visibility yellow buoyancy tubes, fluorescent orange canopies and retro-reflective material to make the raft easier to identify. Large boarding openings and external rope ladders are designed to assist entry from the water or vessel. These practical features complement the raft's core flotation and survival functions.

What does Plastimo's 18-year warranty mean for long-term ownership?

Plastimo offers an 18-year life raft warranty when the required service schedule is maintained. Servicing every three years at an authorized Plastimo service station creates a regular inspection and maintenance cycle throughout the potential warranty period. For owners, that means the raft is not simply purchased and forgotten; its long-term ownership plan includes scheduled professional servicing. Some specially priced Bainbridge Retail units have an earlier first service date, which is identified on the individual product page.

How do I choose the right Plastimo life raft for my boat?

Begin with where you sail, how many people the raft must accommodate and where it will be stored. Cruiser Standard models provide a practical option for coastal cruising. ORC+ models are designed around offshore cruising, with valise and canister configurations available. Transocean and ISAF Transocean models are intended for more demanding offshore, blue-water and, depending on the model, racing applications. After choosing the appropriate use category, compare passenger capacity, equipment level and pack style.

Should I choose a Plastimo life raft in a valise or canister?

A valise life raft is packed in a soft case and is generally best suited to protected onboard storage where it can remain readily accessible. A canister places the packed raft inside a rigid protective container and is commonly mounted on deck with a compatible life raft cradle. Neither format is universally better; the right choice depends on your boat layout, available storage, exposure to the elements and preferred deployment location.

Which features are especially useful for offshore or colder-water sailing?

Offshore sailors should pay particular attention to thermal protection, stability, visibility, boarding assistance, deployment temperature and the supplied survival equipment. Current Plastimo ORC+ and Cruiser Standard specifications include features such as insulating double floors, three ballast pockets, high-visibility materials and external boarding ladders, with an inflation temperature range listed from 0°F to 149°F on these models. More specialized Transocean and ISAF models add equipment intended for more demanding offshore use. Always compare the exact specifications of the individual raft with the conditions in which you expect to sail.

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