Lifeboats (1993) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Lifeboats is a nautical-themed board game that was released in 1993 by designer Ronald Wettering and published by Argentum Verlag. The game revolves around players trying to survive a shipwreck and make it to safety on one of the few lifeboats available. With elements of negotiation and voting, Lifeboats is a game that tests players’ strategic thinking and social skills.

Game Components of Lifeboats

Board: Representing the sea and islands.

Lifeboats: Six lifeboats, each with its own color.

Pawns: Small pawns (sailors) and larger pawns (officers) for each player.

Color Discs: To remind players of their colors.

Leak Tokens: Blue discs indicating leaks in the lifeboats.

Captain’s Cards: One-time use cards for strategic voting.

Player Cards: For voting on lifeboat actions.

How To Setup Lifeboats

To set up the game, place the board on the table between the players. Each player chooses a color and receives the corresponding pawns (sailors and officers), a color disc, and one lifeboat. If playing with five or six players, one sailor is left behind. Place the leak tokens near the board, determine the start player who receives a large wooden block disc, and give each player a hand of cards matching the lifeboat colors and the black lifeboat. Players place their colored lifeboats on the starting spaces of the seven lanes, and the start player places the black lifeboat in a remaining lane. Finally, players place their pawns on any empty space in any lifeboat.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Voting, Negotiation, Strategic Placement.

Category: Survival, Strategy.

Designer: Unknown (originally released in Germany as ‘Rette Sich Wer Kann’).

Objective: Guide your sailors and officers to safety on distant islands by navigating treacherous waters through collective player votes.

Voting: Players vote on which lifeboat springs a leak each round.

Leak Management: Lifeboats with too many leaks may need to throw pawns overboard.

Movement: Only one lifeboat moves forward each turn based on votes.

Scoring: Points are awarded for surviving sailors and officers.

Player Experience

**Lifeboats** is known for its intense player interactions and strategic depth. The game requires a level of maturity due to the potential for hard feelings, as players can be voted off lifeboats or left behind. The voting mechanism encourages negotiation and discussion among players, making it a social and engaging experience.

Pros

Interactive: Encourages player discussion and negotiation.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful voting and pawn placement.

Simple Rules: Easy to learn, despite complex interactions.

Replayability: Different player dynamics each game.

Cons

Potential for Sour Experiences: Players can be targeted, leading to negative feelings.

Lengthy: Games can take up to 90 minutes.

Not Suitable for All Ages: Recommended for players 12 and up due to the complexity and potential conflict.

Personal Thoughts on Lifeboats

**Lifeboats** is ideal for groups of adults or mixed groups where adults can maintain a balance to prevent bullying. It’s not recommended for younger children or groups where players might conspire against one player. The game’s simplicity in rules yet complexity in interactions make it a gem for those who enjoy strategic voting and negotiation games. However, it’s crucial to ensure all players are on the same page and can handle the potential for conflict and loss.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.