Originally Posted by TarJak

The wave adaptive technology is what makes it a 'new' concept. I alos feel this is where it will likely be an engineering headache in heavy seas.

Originally Posted by Etienne

SOLAS approved liferafts must have a canopy, which must be fitted with some sort of rain catching funnel. It has a name, but I can't remember at the time. Ferries and some smaller vessels might be fitted with inflatable platform type liferafts, wich don't have canopies.

Non enclosed life boats must be supplied with a canopy, and the necessary implements to rig it. Usually, tho, the rods are corroded five ways to ****. But then, enclosed life boats are the rule on new buildings anyway.

It's also pretty easy to right an overturned life raft. It does involve going in the water, but then if the life raft's flipped, you're in the water. Life rafts also have "Ballast bags" that will essentially keep them right side up unless something that you'll tell your grandkids about happens.

Survival capsules also exist that are completly enclosed, that can flip every which way and stay afloat. They haven't caught on so much outside of the commercial fishing community, but I have seen concept for commercial vessel sized units. I'm skeptical, but that might change.

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I used to race catamarans. We would 'wear them out' a good brand new boat would last about a year or two.

What would happen to them? Besides the sails losing their shape (sails can be replaced) they would lose their rigidity.

The pontoons would 'walk' wobbling over the waves. The stiffer the boat the faster she was. Cutting through the wave troughs was faster than 'walking' over them.

Just an observation.