Liferaft Question

[Paul_L]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

A 90lb valise is practical. If your boat is sinking, even my 120lb wife would get that thing up the steps! I also like that because it cannot be washed off the boat AND (and read this carefully) it cannot be stolen. You better thak that into consideration, depending on where you are cruising. Those things, even the cheap ones, are many thousands.

The negative of it being down below, and the only one I can think of, is that if your boat were to suddenly sink, it would be worthless. However, the only way I cna think of a boat sinking that quickly is a very, very large wave breaking on her, or being struck by a large ship.....

There are clearly trade-offs to deck mount vs valise in cabin mount. We usually think of sinking as the reason to board a liferaft, but another big reason is fire. A fire that gets out of control may not sink the boat but it will kill you if you don't get off till it burns out. Getting a valise out from a cabin on fire may not be practical. I would also question your comment about how easy it is to move a 90lb valise from down below. The conditions you will be doing this in are less than ideal. Crew may be injured and are likely at least bruised by this point. Gear may be in the way and water on the sole and steps. The mast may be gone giving the boat a violent roll. Saying never mount a liferaft on deck is silly. Where do all the commercial fisherman mount theirs -- and they use them a lot more than cruisers. A valise in a dedicated cockpit locker would be nice. But most cruising boats don't have this locker. I ended up with a deck mount.

Paul L

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Paul_L

There are clearly trade-offs to deck mount vs valise in cabin mount. We usually think of sinking as the reason to board a liferaft, but another big reason is fire. A fire that gets out of control may not sink the boat but it will kill you if you don't get off till it burns out. Getting a valise out from a cabin on fire may not be practical. I would also question your comment about how easy it is to move a 90lb valise from down below. The conditions you will be doing this in are less than ideal. Crew may be injured and are likely at least bruised by this point. Gear may be in the way and water on the sole and steps. The mast may be gone giving the boat a violent roll. Saying never mount a liferaft on deck is silly. Where do all the commercial fisherman mount theirs -- and they use them a lot more than cruisers. A valise in a dedicated cockpit locker would be nice. But most cruising boats don't have this locker. I ended up with a deck mount.

Paul L

I don't understand. WHere did I say never mount it on the deck? What I did say is that a valise down below has many positives, and depending on where you cruise and how, may have more positives then a deck mount.

As you look back on my picture, notice that I did in fact mount mine on the deck. However, I do not believe that is the right solution for everybody and I squarely stand behind that statement. I agree with your assesment of having difficulty getting the thing up the companionway steps and the circumstances that might make it dufficult. I alluded to those in my thread. However, what I was saying is not to understimate the power of adrenaline when your life depends on it.

- CD

[Paul_L]

Originally Posted by negrini

...PS another IMPORTANT point, I just red Heavy Weather Sailing book, by Peter Bruce, and learned to never, ever install a liferaft on deck. If your boat doesn't have a specific location to install it, I prefer a valise model, and install it on a well protected cockpit locker.

CD,
I was referring to the above comment. Not something you said.

Paul L

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Paul_L

CD,
I was referring to the above comment. Not something you said.

Paul L

Paul, I apologize. I thought your comments were directed toward me.

- CD

[negrini]

Paul L, I might have expressed wrong, meant never have it installed on deck was a lesson I learned, based solely on my reading conclusions and local Navy training. Not a statement. By the way, I sugested a deck locker or a transom locker (like many new design). Cabin stowed is against law in many commercial vessels and enforced in many countries. I do not recall any recreational offshore boat without a cockpit locker (ok, I might have a limited universe). If it's been used to hold different stuffs, I suggest to dedicate a space for you liferaft there, and make it a priority. Reading storms reports from Peter Bruce, Pardeys, Kim Taylor, Tony Farringtons, Larry Robbins, Ewen Southby, about dozen of cases (dozen, not eventual) where liferaft went washed out of deck and stainless steel attachment went simply torn by water. Fishing boat industry has changed dramatically last 10 years after MAIB Marine Accident Report 4/98. Also,the Marine Guidance Note MGN 104 (M+F), state the new rules for liferaft stowage on fishing vessels, although not enforced for vessels less than 40ft, where recommendation are made to stow it out of weather. Another interesting source is the Seafish Report No. SR533 (Fishing Authority) that mention waves and tangling situation. I suggest you read those reports and take your own conclusions ... as I might have, otherwise, get too freaky by them.

[negrini]

Just found a very interesting article about this, know where ? Right here, at Sailnet (what a site hum?), reproduced by Practical Sailor contributor: "Life Raft Stowage: The Overlooked Necessity"

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...necessity.html

worth a reading ....

[Paul_L]

Originally Posted by negrini

Just found a very interesting article about this, know where ? Right here, at Sailnet (what a site hum?), reproduced by Practical Sailor contributor: "Life Raft Stowage: The Overlooked Necessity"

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...necessity.html

worth a reading ....

That's a well thought out article.

Paul L

[bjung]

Originally Posted by negrini

Just found a very interesting article about this, know where ? Right here, at Sailnet (what a site hum?), reproduced by Practical Sailor contributor: "Life Raft Stowage: The Overlooked Necessity"

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...necessity.html

worth a reading ....

Good article, thanks...
I will be taking a closer look at my cockpit lockers and the valise size of a 6 person raft.
Bernd
PSC 31

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by bjung

Good article, thanks...
I will be taking a closer look at my cockpit lockers and the valise size of a 6 person raft.
Bernd
PSC 31

Bernd,

I would get a Winslow and put it in the shallow port cockpit locker. A 4-person soft valise should fit there.

If you need a 6-person, I would get a low-profile canister and mount it over the sea-hood. Or possibly get it in a soft valise and build a low-profile box/step to secure in/on the companion bridgedeck while underway (removed and stowed in port.)

[bjung]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

Bernd,

I would get a Winslow and put it in the shallow port cockpit locker. A 4-person soft valise should fit there.

If you need a 6-person, I would get a low-profile canister and mount it over the sea-hood. Or possibly get it in a soft valise and build a low-profile box/step to secure in/on the companion bridgedeck while underway (removed and stowed in port.)

John,
I checked, and I can fit a 6 person valise in the aft cockpit locker, or as you said a 4 person in the port locker (only the winslow fits into the low profile). I have looked at the Winslow rafts and like their features, light weight and small valise size, but wanted a self righting raft after viewing of videos showing sailors righting rafts in calm water. Not something I would expect my son to do in rough weather, and certainly not something you can practice a few times.
Am I overvalueing this feature?
Bernd