How old is too old for a Liferaft ?

[Badger]

I inherited a raft when I bought my Twister. It is an RFDSEASAVA Plus X Liferaft 1996 vintage in a valise and was last serviced in 2004. It missed it's 2007 service and I am looking to have it serviced now and re packed in a canister. I can also be there when they inflate it review all the contents, emrgency pack etc Then it occured to me, how old is too old for a raft ? Any advice welcome.

 

[Sandyman]

I inherited a raft when I bought my Twister. It is an RFDSEASAVA Plus X Liferaft 1996 vintage in a valise and was last serviced in 2004. It missed it's 2007 service and I am looking to have it serviced now and re packed in a canister. I can also be there when they inflate it review all the contents, emrgency pack etc Then it occured to me, how old is too old for a raft ? Any advice welcome.

To my mind age is unimportant as long as you have confidence and are certain it will work should you ever need it. We bought a new one last year & I then inflated our old one which was over 20 years old. It stayed inflated for 3 weeks, but I had no confidence in it & could see no point in paying nearly £300 to have it serviced when I could buy a new one for £450 odd quid. But then exactly what do they do when they service a liferaft ??? Not a lot to be done I would say, other than a massive rip-off.

 

[Kukri]

A canister packed liferaft ought to last a very long time.

 

[snowleopard]

A reasonable quality raft should be good for at least 20 years, probably 30. When it's serviced, ask the technician's opinion and have a good look yourself.

 

[srm]

Then it occured to me, how old is too old for a raft ? Any advice welcome.

When the service station advise you that it is beyond economic repair. Happened to me once with a raft that came with a boat, but had been serviced the previous year.

 

[Csail]

I would trust it and maybe a visual insperction but on the other hand if its not broke just leave it alone.

 

[mixmaster]

i just serviced my 23 year old RFD Seasava ahead of our Atlantic crossing next week. The lifereraft is almost twice as old as the boat. You have a very high quality liferaft and if it has been kept dry should last for ages. The valise liferafts often last a lot longer because they're not exposed to the elements. Ours looked much newer than some of the cannister models half its age (as well as looking a lot stronger/more substantial than a lot of the cheaper makes).
Have it serviced and you'll know the answers.

 

[sarabande]

ahead of our Atlantic crossing next week.

fred drift, sorry, but which route are you taking at this time of year please ?

 

[Badger]

Mixmaster, thanks that was my instinct as well. Have a great transat

 

[Kukri]

Well, this is encouraging; my 2003 Avon canister liferaft, which lives below deck when we are not aboard (swinging mooring- why make things easy for the light fingered?) should be just about immortal!