old liferaft

[fishy]

I would be most grateful for any thoughts or advice on the following.
I bought a boat three years ago which had a Plasimo 4 man canister liferaft on it. The paperwork said the liferaft had been serviced the previous year.
Last year I was re reading the paperwork in anticipation of having it serviced again. But I read that in fact the whole liferaft should be discarded because it was now 12 years past purchase.
I have however recently read that the 12 years rule is a French one and not a UK one.(and I believe Plastimo is a French company)
My questions are(given that money is tight)
a) Is it safe to have the liferaft serviced instead of buying a new one
b) If so could I upgrade the equipment when it is serviced
Many thanks in anticipation

 

[powerskipper]

Re: old life raft

get them to check out the life raft at the service to tell you how good it is, and how long they think it will last, use a good servicer as they will have the experience to tell you.

 

[Talbot]

Life really depends on quality of material that it is made from. Avon unofficially talked about 30 years from their rafts, but only guarantee them for 12. PVC ones will not last anywhere near as long.

 

[clouty]

Re: old life raft

you need a new gas cylinder anyway, so take it to a large open space free of sharp protuberences, and pull the cord (good practice, what the service agents will do if you want to pay them for it) See what you would (god forbid) step into.

get in. smell the rubber. look for minute cracks. Get to know it. Repack approximately using a vacuum cleaner to suck out the air and take it to a service agent near you that has been recommended, if after your inspection you still think it is worth it. Doesn't say where you're based on your profile.

Always good to intimately know your equipment, and any service agent worth his salt will respect you for your hands on interest and knowledge.

We did this, and - I forget the name - MMS was it, fishbourne or bosham - did full sevice and taught us more about life rafts for about half the going rate at the time.

 

[clouty]

Re: old life raft

Oh yes, and of course you can upgrade equipment.add what you like, space permitting

 

[ianabc]

Re: old life raft

Best kept for a hot summer day......Sort of reminds me of the poor mans referigeration system...pull the cord and watch the ice crystals on the fabric!