It's soft. I want it to be hard.

[Twister_Ken]

It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

Have a Plastimo 4 man liferaft, packed in a valise, which lives below decks where it gets in the way.

I would prefer a canister packed raft, kept in a cradle on the coachroof.

I wondered whether I could part exchange a valise raft for a canister one, and was about to start shopping around, when it dawned on me that maybe I could just have the raft repacked into a canister.

Anyone done this? Is it possible?

 

[Boatman]

Re: It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

I have the same issue except a 6 man version so gets in the way big time I am told it's possible but am still awaiting a final answer so any subsequent comments are going to be interesting. As an interim solution I created a webbing sling to hold mine, but when I leave the boat I still need to stroe it for security. I cheat and padlock it on, no real issue for someone who wants a raft though.

 

[alanhanson]

Re: It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

i got a price last year but no one was over kean. the price was ott, if my memory serves me right something like 160 pounds for the cannister plus the service if needed or not. i did not have mine done as the service was not due but may replace next year .let me know if you get a better price please.regards alan hanson

 

[gus]

Re: It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

Why not just do as I did and pop along to your local service agent and for a modest sum or even perhaps for free, obtain a cannister from some condemmed liferaft which is big enough for yours to fit straight into in its valise. Okay to don't have a true cannister liferaft as you have to haul it out of the 'box' before you chuck it overboard but it you hold the base of the box down with clips so it stays in its chocks. Then the lid it clipped down onto the base and finished with a padlockable metal band over the top. It is readily available on deck but still secure. When I head off with the boat the padlock is replaced with a sprung pin.

 

[Guest]

Re: It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

Why don't you look into hiring a raft. Cheaper and more flexible.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: It\'s soft. I want it to be hard.

Ah, but I already own one. Came with the boat. Serviced through to 2004.

 

[mickp]

Re: Me To !

I also have a six man liferaft which also needs servicing and am interested in having it packed into a cannister.
Would be interested to find out any costs involved.

 

[Guest]

Re: Me To !

Does everybody why buy's soft packs live to regret it!! My solution was to get a lage waterproof bag of the roll over and buckle top type (£20 from Inglesport in ingleton N Yorks) which protects the raft when on deck but does slow launching down. On the new boat I am thinking of going for a sailing liferaft and making my own way home if I sink rather than an having an orange blamonge full of seasick people waiting for the RNLI.

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster