Valise vs Canister liferaft.........

[karl74]

Hi,

Just wandered what the general consensus was or is it just down to personal preference and stowage space on board?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Canister is designed to be stowed on deck, valise in a locker or below. Canister is thus ready to go at a moment's notice, valise might take a few seconds to locate and position before launching. Once you get past four man size, the valise can quite heavy and awkward to shift although - no doubt - adrenaline would be on your side.

 

[pvb]

In an emergency, a canister raft stowed on deck or on the pushpit is likely to be easier to deploy. Liferafts are heavy lumps of kit, and I wouldn't want to have to retrieve a valise raft from a locker.

 

[Ruffles]

Some older boats have a specific place for a liferaft in a valise. So that's what we have! And if you're going the whole hog it should self deploy with one of those hammar thingies. I think it's required for chartering.

 

[karl74]

Thats prety much what I thought. Is there any reason as to why you couldn't or shouldn't keep a valise stowed on the coach roof at least whilst at sea. Apart from having to lug a 25 - 35kg valise every time you went to sea, or are they not weather proof enough to be kept on deck.

 

[skip50]

As I understand it, they are not waterproof enough to stow on deck and also should be kept the 'right' way up. In my case (valise) that is vertically on the long side-if you see what I mean. Certainly not stowed flat as you would a canister.

HTH

 

[karl74]

As I understand it, they are not waterproof enough to stow on deck and also should be kept the 'right' way up. In my case (valise) that is vertically on the long side-if you see what I mean. Certainly not stowed flat as you would a canister.

HTH

Ok thanks. That answers that question then. Canister seems to be the way to go for me as having the kids on board would be one less thing to worry about.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Ok thanks. That answers that question then. Canister seems to be the way to go for me as having the kids on board would be one less thing to worry about.

I have a waterproof valise, so many of the arguments don't apply. I can get to it much quicker than a boat where the canister is on the deck in front of the sprayhood as many do.

On the other hand a pushpit mounted canister is great and quick to deploy unless you have been hit from astern or for whatever reason need to get in the drink from somewhere else on the boat.

There is no perfect solution.

 

[prv]

My valise raft is vacuum-packed, so I don't see why it shouldn't be treated as waterproof.

I have a valise raft in a locker below, which is far from the ideal arrangement but the best that can be done on my boat as there's no space on deck for a canister and no suitable deck locker. At least the locker below is next to the companionway, which on a small boat like mine is relatively low. I can certainly lift the raft out of the locker and into the cockpit without any difficulty - I did so last weekend while emptying the boat for the winter.

I reckon the best option is a valise raft in a purpose-designed locker, for example in an aft deck behind the cockpit as I've seen on a couple of boats. Removes any worries about the raft being swept away by a big sea. A canister raft in a decent cradle comes a close second, if your boat isn't well-designed enough to have a locker.

Pete

 

[BlueSkyNick]

The choice partly depends on the type of sailing you do, and how many on board.

If a bunch of hairy arsed racers, you would expect somebody to get a valise out of a locker OK, and a canister might be in the way.

If just a couple, like us, I prefer that the raft can be launched alone by the weakest person aboard, ie SWMBO, by pulling a pin. We work on the basis that if conditions prevent me climbing on to the boat having gone overboard, at least launch the raft so I can buy myself more time.

 

[alan_d]

Hi,

Just wandered what the general consensus was or is it just down to personal preference and stowage space on board?

This has been discussed at length previously and a search engine may help you find the relevant thread.

The answer, as to so many other things, is that it all depends. Considerations include (but are not restricted to): Valise rafts are slightly cheaper, lighter and easier to manhandle than the equivalent canister (but anything bigger than a 4-person raft will be difficult for one person to lift). Stowed in a locker they are less susceptible to theft, but also less readily available for deployment. Only canister rafts are suitable for hydrostatic release. A canister raft on the pushpit can be deployed quickly but is potentially more vulnerable to being carried away in extreme conditions; one on the coachroof may obstruct forward vision and prove difficult to reach in extremis.

 

[aquaholic]

We opted for a canister mounted on the stern rail this year, usually just the 2 of us sailing so at least I know we can both deploy it with no problem. Just need remember to remove the padlock before sailing.....

 

[KellysEye]

>In an emergency, a canister raft stowed on deck or on the pushpit is likely to be easier to deploy. Liferafts are heavy lumps of kit, and I wouldn't want to have to retrieve a valise raft from a locker.

I agree , ours is on the pushpit with a serrated dive knife tied to the nearest stanchion.

 

[jwilson]

Some older boats have a specific place for a liferaft in a valise. So that's what we have! And if you're going the whole hog it should self deploy with one of those hammar thingies. I think it's required for chartering.

Charter boats can have a valise raft in a locker, but if it's a canister type mounted on deck it must have a Hammar release. Many charter boats used hired valise rafts, freshly certified each year.

 

[sticky]

Liferafts

Just bear in mind that most cannister liferafts should not be stood on or used as seats.
Any weight can destroy the seals and the ability to inflate may be degraded or destroyed.

 

[Burnham Bob]

another vote for cannister being easy to deploy. being a skinflint i was about to buy a valise, but realised that SWMBO probably couldn't lug it up from down below when needed if i was incapacitated. so we paid extra for the cannister version and a cradle to mount on the pushpit. so all she has to do is push it overboard and pull the line.......

 

[CFarr]

I used to think on deck canisters were the best option, then I read 'heavy weather sailing'
The number of these that were washed clean off the decks before they could be used really made me think.
If you're in a position where you are wanting to deploy one, it's probably going to be a bit rough with all other options out. You'll want it to be there.

 

[sailorman]

I used to think on deck canisters were the best option, then I read 'heavy weather sailing'
The number of these that were washed clean off the decks before they could be used really made me think.
If you're in a position where you are wanting to deploy one, it's probably going to be a bit rough with all other options out. You'll want it to be there.

on our boat the raft is designed to be stowed under the helm seat out of the way with no windage

 

[Twister_Ken]

on our boat the raft is designed to be stowed under the helm seat out of the way with no windage

If only more boats were designed like that. I've also seen designed-in stowage in the bridge deck.

 

[Tranona]

If only more boats were designed like that. I've also seen designed-in stowage in the bridge deck.

Its very common in French boats - maybe something to do with the fact that it is compulsory to carry a liferaft if going offshore!