Jonbuoy Recovery Module

Don't know about deployment, but was a little shocked to read a post a while ago from someone with a JonBuoy which did not inflate when tested.

Obviously a risk with anything of this nature which one relies on to magically appear when one is rather keen it does...

Pretty sure it turned out to be lack of servicing - it is after all a mini liferaft - but is there a recommended servicing schedule, and by whom ?
 
Not sure if this helps, but I bought one ten years ago. I 'used' it for three years, then, when I sold the boat, put it away in a shed for seven years. Returning to boating last year, I dug it out with a view to servicing it. I inflated it indoors, thinking if it was in good nick I would have it serviced. Now this was a ten year old gas bottle, but it inflated slowly. I had expected a quicker response. It did inflate though.

I am still considering whether to replace it. On a lightly crewed boat, I don't think you would have time to deploy it close to the MOB without returning. Much like a dan-buoy.

It's more like a life-jacket than a raft, in terms of fabric and volume. I think you could service it in the same way.

But, I'd like to see a video of a pushpit launch before I buy another.
 
Mine is mounted on the pushpit. When one pulls on the black lever the case opens, the module drops into the water and then inflates. The casing is left on the pushpit.

I've never used one "for real" - the only time mine was launched was by accident.
 
kacecar said:
Mine is mounted on the pushpit. When one pulls on the black lever the case opens, the module drops into the water and then inflates. The casing is left on the pushpit.

I've never used one "for real" - the only time mine was launched was by accident.
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Does it just drop into the water or is it propelled a little way? Does it hit the stern as it falls?
 
Magnum said:
Has anyone actually launched one of these using the integral pushpit mount?

http://www.oceansafety.com/standard-pushpit-mount---white.aspx

If so when you pull the lever does it propel the unit aft or simply drop off its mount and hit the stern of the vessel. Not a major consideration in a MOB situation but I'd still like to know.

Thanks.
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Oh thats in common White isnt it
saw one on a new Oyster 655 today in fake look alike "Carbon Fibre" :rolleyes:
 
Magnum said:
Does it just drop into the water or is it propelled a little way? Does it hit the stern as it falls?
Click to expand...

I contacted Ocean Safety when I was thinking of buying one.

They confirmed that unit is not fired off but merely falls off.

If there is anything protruding below the mounting point there is a risk of the Jon Buoy falling onto it.

Tried an old unit with a new cartridge and was not impressed with the performance.
 
It falls - there is no propellant to throw it farther out. I suspect that if you have a bathing platform or similar immediately below it then it might rest there.

The service interval is one year but I don't know why. I have mine test inflated and serviced every two years or so and its been fine each time.

It was the concept and design that persuaded me to buy one. I don't know what its performance is like - and, hopefully, I won't have occasion to find out.
 
I took mine apart to check it before installing. There is a moderately hefty spring between the back panel and the container. With the weight of the gas bottle and a chunk of lead that helps the drogue fill quickly, it's not going to be hurled off the boat like a WW2 depth charge, but it should get enough of an outward shove to avoid hanging up on toe-rails etc.

The mechanism is essentially a manual lifejacket inflator with a much bigger cylinder. The pull toggle is replaced with an 18" lanyard tied to the backplate so it gets yanked as the raft falls away.

Pete
 
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