diy life raft servicing

[owen]

diy life raft servicing

i know this was discussed some time ago and provoked strong feelings both for and against but has anyone any experience of actually doing it oneself??.in theory there should be no reason why one canot do it oneself. the process is simple but needs to be done methodically and carefully- it needs a bit of space to inflate the raft and then check pressures , weights etc but it is not a black art -is it ?

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[pvb]

It\'s not a black art, but...

But most of us have difficulty getting an inflatable back into its bag!

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[Sea Devil]

Re: diy life raft servicing

Absolutly not a black art and you can choose what items you want to renew - only difficult bit is making sure it retains pressure but that is relative any way...

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[Robin]

Re: diy life raft servicing

Will you ever need a certificate? ie coded boat, sale of boat or raft, nosey French official? Most rafts are vacuum packed these days and have cannister straps that are pre-determined braking strain, can you do vacuum packing and strapping with available tools and materials? Where would you buy any spare parts from, like cylinders, inflation valves, sheets for patching? Can you do PVC welded seams/patches or would you have to just use adhesives?

Sure it is possible, personally I would prefer to find and trust a good service depot and try and be there when they did the work.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[snowleopard]

Re: diy life raft servicing

just about to have mine serviced. it's hermetically packed and 3 years to first service. should i expect the service agent to renew the vacuum pack?

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[Robin]

Re: diy life raft servicing

At the full 3 year service yes because they inflate the raft fully but if you send it in for an annual check (some do, I don't) I think they only open the bag/cannister and check if the inner bag is still hermetically sealed. Unless the boat is coded I don't see the point of this.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[pandos]

Re: diy life raft servicing

Be warned. I recently bought a raft that was supposed to be new and hermetically sealed, from a supposedly reputable agent. I became suspicous of it and had it opened and inspected. It was dirty. It had been serviced in the past. The batteries in the torch were out of date, and worst of all it was rolled up tied with string and wrapped up in a piece of pollythene. I have been quoted anywhere from €150 to €450 to have it packed and sealed as per manufacturers instructions. When I have time I intend to deal with the supplier through the courts if necessary.

COULD DIY BE SO BAD.

tony.

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[Robin]

Re: diy life raft servicing

Mine fortunately was special order direct from the importer (Plastimo UK), a group of us got together and ordered via our local chandler who is a club member.

You could Name and Shame....

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[jerryat]

Re: diy life raft servicing

Hi Owen,

Yes, DIY is perfectly possible and very easy. I too, thought it all a mystery until a (now) good friend of mine held 'classes' one winter when we were over-wintering in Southern Spain. He made a very good point - if in doubt, record each stage of UN-packing with a digital camera. That way, you know the exact way to re-pack - usually the only problem people have. As others have said, YOU choose when you want to do it, what you replace, and have the knowledge that the job's been done properly - and that's in addition to the huge advantage of inflating and getting to 'know' your raft.

Definitely worth a go!

Cheers
Jerry

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[BOATYBOATY]

Re: diy life raft servicing

I have serviced mine myself for past three seasons, I use a compressor to inflate, leave inflated for three days minimum, you will soon know if you have leaks. The air cylinder is removed and taken to Viking to be checked re-filled etc, this only costs a few quid provided you have test certs for cylinder. I check and replace safty kit in bag and then deflate raft using lots of talk to prevent damage to rubber. Folding raft is pretty straight forward, I use the olh hoover to suck the last of the air out, then back into canister.
Of course my sailing is only coastal but it's pretty easy and common sence to check it over.

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[chrisb]

Re: diy life raft servicing

read article ym december- it probably wont inflate anyway-perhaps the safest way is to diy [they tested 3 top off range rafts in a pool one the zodiac failed to inflate fully. full inflation was achieve after an hours pumping by hand- zodiac made a statement along the lines that they found this situation satisfactory

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