Coastal Compact 4-Person Life Raft
An 18.5 lb valise-packed raft with canopy, sized for up to four people.
Safety
KPGD · Punta Gorda, Florida
Over water.
Not underprepared.
Rent fly-away safety gear for your personal aircraft—ready for Bahamas crossings and coastal routes.
Reserve your gear ↗THE OVERWATER KITThree essentials.
Three essentials.
One less thing to worry about.
Choose exactly what your flight calls for. Equipment is picked up locally at Punta Gorda Airport before departure.
Life jackets
Lightweight personal flotation for every person on board.
Personal locator beacon
A compact PLB to help take the search out of search and rescue.
Bose A20 aviation headset
Premium active noise reduction and clear cockpit audio for pilots or passengers.
THE ACTUAL RAFTCompact in the cabin.
Compact in the cabin.
Serious on the water.
The Coastal Compact packs into a soft valise that is easy to plan around in a personal aircraft, then deploys into a covered raft for up to four people.
18.5LB
PACKED WEIGHT
PACKED WEIGHT
MODELCoastal Compact4-person valise with canopy
CAPACITYUp to 4 people
PACKED SIZE16½ × 13 × 6 in.
CASEValise
CANOPYIncluded
MATERIALPolyurethane / nylon
BALLAST2 Super Rev ballast bags
406 MHzdistress beacon
PLB, EXPLAINEDA direct line
A direct line
to search & rescue.
PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon. It is a compact emergency device carried by a person—not permanently installed in the aircraft.
01
Activate in a grave emergency
The beacon sends a coded 406 MHz distress signal.
02
Satellites detect the alert
The Cospas-Sarsat system relays it to the appropriate rescue coordination center.
03
Responders get a location
GPS-equipped models can include coordinates to help focus the search.
Emergency use only. A PLB supplements—not replaces—your aircraft ELT, flight plan, weather planning, and sound pilot judgment. Rental activation procedures are reviewed at pickup.
SEE THE GEARKnow what you’re carrying before launch
LOCAL HANDOFFPickup and return at KPGD
ONE TRIP-READY KITRaft, vests, and PLB together
GRUMMAN TIGERN4524BKPGD → MYSM
PILOT TO PILOTBuilt by a pilot
Built by a pilot
who makes the crossing.
Commercial pilotInstrument rated1,200+ hours
I’m Matias Barbero. I fly a Grumman Tiger, N4524B, out of Punta Gorda Airport. I have hundreds of hours flying single-engine piston aircraft between the islands of the Bahamas, including trips as far as Cuba.
My favorite trip is flying to San Salvador with my wife, Paula, to visit our good friend Stefan. Paula and I got engaged there, and we’ve made it a tradition to return at least once every year since 2020. That personal connection to island flying is a big part of why I started Gulf Wing Safety—to make practical overwater equipment easier for fellow general aviation pilots to arrange locally.
This is the actual gear you’ll pick up at KPGD. We can review what is included, how it is packed, and where it may fit in your aircraft before you depart.
Matias BarberoOwner · Gulf Wing Safety
YOUR HANDOFF CHECKLIST
What you receive
- 01Coastal Compact 4-person life raft18.5 lb valise-packed raft with canopy
- 02Two inflatable life jacketsAdditional jackets available for $15 each per rental
- 03ACR ResQLink 406 MHz PLBPortable emergency beacon; activation procedure reviewed at pickup
- 04Local KPGD handoffA walk-through of the equipment, packing, and return expectations
- +Any selected Bose A20 headsetsCarrying case and fresh batteries included
STRAIGHTFORWARD PRICINGPack safety.
Pack safety.
Skip the guesswork.
Each package includes one covered 4-person aviation life raft, two inflatable life jackets, and one PLB.
$149
Up to 24 hours
$249
3-day weekend
Best for a quick Bahamas run$349
Up to 7 days
Two life jackets includedAdditional inflatable life jackets are only $15 each per rental.
$1,500
Refundable security authorization
Placed at pickup and released after the equipment is returned on time and passes inspection. Loss, late return, activation, or damage may be charged at actual service, repair, or replacement cost; the authorization is not a liability cap.
OPTIONAL COCKPIT ADD-ON
Bose A20 headset
Active noise reduction, dual GA plugs, carrying case, and fresh batteries.
$25/day$59 weekend$99 weekper headset
SIMPLE BY DESIGNFrom hangar
From hangar
to horizon.
Your safety prep should be the easiest part of the flight plan.
- 01
Choose your equipment
Select a raft, the number of life jackets you need, and a PLB.
- 02
Confirm your dates
Share your pickup and return window so availability can be confirmed.
- 03
Pick up at KPGD
Collect your compact kit near the aircraft, stow it, and launch.
PILOT QUESTIONSKnow before
Know before
you go.
Clear answers for planning the rental, loading the aircraft, and completing the handoff at KPGD.
Still unsure? Call Matias at (941) 404-1644Will the raft fit in my aircraft?+
The packed valise measures approximately 16½ × 13 × 6 inches and weighs 18.5 pounds. You are responsible for safe loading, weight and balance, restraint, and determining where the equipment can be reached without interfering with aircraft controls or egress.
How many people does the package cover?+
The raft is rated for up to four people. Every package includes two inflatable life jackets; add one jacket for each additional occupant at $15 per jacket, per rental.
Can I see the equipment before departure?+
Yes. The handoff at KPGD is your opportunity to see the actual equipment, confirm what is included, and review basic handling and activation information before accepting the rental.
What is the PLB, and when would I use it?+
The included ACR ResQLink is a portable 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon intended for grave and imminent emergencies. It supplements—not replaces—the aircraft ELT, a flight plan, weather planning, and sound pilot judgment. Emergency activation procedures are reviewed at pickup.
What if weather delays my return?+
Call or text as soon as your plans change. Extensions depend on the next reservation and must be confirmed directly; an unapproved late return may result in additional charges.
How does the security authorization work?+
A refundable $1,500 authorization is placed at pickup. It is released after the gear is returned on time and passes inspection. Loss, damage, late return, or activation may be charged at actual service, repair, or replacement cost.
Does renting this kit guarantee regulatory compliance?+
No. Flight circumstances and applicable requirements vary. The pilot in command must determine the equipment, capacity, approvals, passenger briefing, and procedures required for the planned operation.
PRIVATE BAHAMAS FLYING CLASS
Planning your first island flight?
Book a private ground-planning session with Matias covering the practical details of flying a personal aircraft to the Bahamas: preparation, paperwork, routes, airports, customs considerations, fuel planning, what to carry, and lessons learned from real island flying.
Educational planning only. The pilot in command remains responsible for current regulations, notices, weather, aircraft performance, and all operational decisions.Learn from real
Bahamas experience.Ask about a private class ↗
Bahamas experience.Ask about a private class ↗
BUILD YOUR RENTALWhat’s your
What’s your
flight plan?
Select your gear and dates for an instant estimate, then text your complete request directly to Gulf Wing Safety.
KPGD
Punta Gorda AirportFlorida · Local pickup