I cruise on the East Coast, and am rarely more than half a mile offshore. There are no rocks where I sail, and the mud won't puncture my hull (I know - I've hit it often enough). I don't have a liferaft, and have no intention in getting one for this boat. I mostly single-hand, and anyone coming sailing with me is made aware in advance that I don't have a liferaft. I don't have plumbed-in gas. I have lifejackets that I periodically inspect and test. I always have in-date flares, and I have fixed VHF, H/H VHF and an emergency aerial. No-one will convince me that I need a liferaft.