Boring thread candidate: Life raft tie down options

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sv_telemachus

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My submission to the most boring thread contest. Lost the life raft cradle S/S retaining strap while awaiting delivery of the life raft.

Would a S/S cam buckle webbing strap like this do the job (secure, quick release, can cut webbing if needed), or any more obvious solution I'm missing?

Don't think I'd favour a hydrostatic release, although I'm mindful it's not particularly theft-resistant.

Many thanks!
 
When I designed my life raft cradle I included a over center clip than I could use a padlocked to stop theft but allow it been opened once padlock was removed to allowed tp nappe pin clip to prevent it being opened accidently but allowed the clip to be removed in a hurry without tools

Mine is simulate to the one you posted except it has a tubular bar where the strap is to prevent theft and closed with a padlock and a quick removal noppe pin.

566x566
 
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Our raft is on the transom in a sort of cage, release one clip (replaced by a padlock when not offshore) and the raft falls into the sea.

Never understood the philosophy of deck mounted rafts, given the opportunity to needing it when the keel falls off. :)

But then we have a cat.

Jonathan
 
We have a vertical cage on the transom. The original installation had a single vertical strap with a clip - pinch the catches of the clip and it deploys into the sea.

On a lively passage from Lisbon to Madeira the sea came up to meet it and the clip let go. We now have the same cage but a few thick straps wrapped around it. There's a big knife tied to the cage for deployment.
 
sv_telemachus said:
My submission to the most boring thread contest. Lost the life raft cradle S/S retaining strap while awaiting delivery of the life raft.

Would a S/S cam buckle webbing strap like this do the job (secure, quick release, can cut webbing if needed), or any more obvious solution I'm missing?

Don't think I'd favour a hydrostatic release, although I'm mindful it's not particularly theft-resistant.

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

It depends on the risks you expect to expose the boat to. The stainless steel cam buckle is not something I would use on a boat, nor a knife to cut a strap. RogerTheBodgers clips is too lightweight as far as I am concerned.

Use a sen house slip (pelican hook), it is what they are designed for. They remain in tension and closed, but can have the locking loop pulled over the hook when under tension to release. Don't use the ones with the locking pin, only the lock loop.

Senhouse Slip with Shackle / Pelican Hook

In my own set up, I have a shallow cradle, 2 x 2 x leg straps with a stainless ring in the middle of each, sen house slip, hydrostatic release. This arrangement allows manual release and automatic release.

If you are worried about theft, fit a padlock and security arrangement when you are off the boat. Not using a hydrostatic release because it increases the risk of theft is odd logic. There are other reasons why you may not want a hydrostatic release, but theft is irrelevant as a reason to reject.
 
Pelican clip is what I use. It's very hard to undo though. I think in practice, if it was an option, I would grab a knife from the companionway.
 
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