A raft comprises a core comprising a buoyant material. The core has a generally flat deck surface, a generally flat hull surface, and a height defining a bow surface, a stern surface, a starboard surface and a port surface. The deck surface and the hull surface have substantially equal widths. The deck surface further has a length being greater than a length of the hull surface in which a difference of the length of the deck surface and the length of the hull surface determines a curvature of the bow surface and a curvature of the stern surface. A coating is applied to the core in which the coating encapsulates the core, and is operable for mitigating damage to the core and entry of water into the core.