NavList:

During the recent discussion on lifeboat navigation, it was generally accepted that you weren't going to do much sailing in a rubber liferaft.

Concomitant with changes in technology there has been a shift from longboats to lifeboats to liferafts, with the latter certainly able to survive under more adverse conditions than any "boat," but completely unable to sail or significantly change their location except by being helplessly carried by currents.

Interestingly, I found out quite by accident this weekend that someone in the RAF had a different view in 1943.  The Type Q liferaft was provided with a mast, sails, a chart pack, a compass, and being for aircrew, an instruction sheet on "How to sail a boat", in addition to a liferaft radio.  The full story can be found here http://www.defencesurveyors.org.uk/Images/Ranger/Ranger%20Volumes/Ranger%20Winter%202014%203D.pdf page 71.  Needless to say, current aircraft liferafts have a protective cover for the occupants, which is of much greater value for their survival against the elements.  Protection, location, water, and food as they say. DaveP