Valise Vs Canister?

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Oscarpop

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Just speccing the Viking liferaft and are trying to decide on valise vs canister.

We are going to go for the six man self righting pro version which is 41/48 kg for valise /canister

Can you please advise on which way to go?

We have a locker in our Southerly 38 which is meant for a valise, but need to measure it up against the viking. However it is where we keep all our lines at the moment, and as we plan we a circumnavigation space is at a premium. However it keeps the weight off the pushpit, away from thieves and will cost about £500 less ( once you add a Viking cradle, lock ,canister, hydrostatic release).

The canister is obviously bulkier, will put 48kg on the pushpit and costs more. However it means that should we sink, while on fire my girlfriend will not be trying to pull 40kg of liferaft from a locker.

What are your thoughts?
 
I think they're so heavy and awkward to move that a canister wins hands-down every time. Preferably pushpit mounted so it can just drop into the water.

I'm surprised the canister version is 7kg heavier though.
 
If you have a dedicated locker, and the raft fits, that would be my preference. Putting a six-man raft on the pushpit of our boat (done by the previous owner, not us) has already damaged it - that's a hell of a weight on fittings that were not designed to take it.

If you really need the locker space, can the raft not go on deck somewhere? Obviously up forward is not ideal for the extreme weather scenario - but as you seem to have identified, it's actually fire (quite possibly at anchor) or collision that are the more likely scenarios.

If it does end up on the pushpit, see if you can add a couple of extra legs to the frame to stop the whole thing pivoting back and forth. Depending on the design of your transom, the legs may be able to go outside, either side of the cannister holding it in place athwartships, and with a crossbar between them for it to sit on.

Pete
 
prv said:
If you have a dedicated locker, and the raft fits, that would be my preference. Putting a six-man raft on the pushpit of our boat (done by the previous owner, not us) has already damaged it - that's a hell of a weight on fittings that were not designed to take it.

If you really need the locker space, can the raft not go on deck somewhere? Obviously up forward is not ideal for the extreme weather scenario - but as you seem to have identified, it's actually fire (quite possibly at anchor) or collision that are the more likely scenarios.

If it does end up on the pushpit, see if you can add a couple of extra legs to the frame to stop the whole thing pivoting back and forth. Depending on the design of your transom, the legs may be able to go outside, either side of the cannister holding it in place athwartships, and with a crossbar between them for it to sit on.

Pete
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The real thing about the pushpit mounted liferaft is that almost any one can launch it. How many people can get your valise out of it's locker
 
VicMallows said:
Especially in a raging gale
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In a raging gale I frankly don't fancy anybody's chances of getting into the thing regardless of where it's stowed. I have visions of it flailing around in mid-air at the end of its painter 50 feet away, until the attachment tears loose and it ****s off into the distance.

Fire, collision, sudden foundering in moderate conditions, those are where an overgrown haemorrhoid ring with a tent on top has a chance of being useful.

Pete
 
Two thoughts:
First, if you haven't done so already, do go on one of the survival courses - it will show you how horrible liferafts are, last resort and all that jaz.
Second, do you need the 6 man raft? Are you really going round the world with 6 people on a 38 foot yacht?
 
Oscarpop said:
The canister is obviously bulkier, will put 48kg on the pushpit and costs more. However it means that should we sink, while on fire my girlfriend will not be trying to pull 40kg of liferaft from a locker.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Good, youve answered it yourself.
 
Resolution said:
Two thoughts:
First, if you haven't done so already, do go on one of the survival courses - it will show you how horrible liferafts are, last resort and all that jaz.
Second, do you need the 6 man raft? Are you really going round the world with 6 people on a 38 foot yacht?
Click to expand...

No but it all likelihood we will do the arc with five on board.
Sea survival course is also on the cards
 
Oscarpop said:
No but it all likelihood we will do the arc with five on board.
Sea survival course is also on the cards
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Then perhaps better to buy a 4 man for your normal use and hire a 6 man for the ARC. You have summed up the arguments for and against but the fact that both are available suggests there is no clear answer. Perhaps wait until after you have done the survival course before you make the decision as in my experience that helps with the decision.
 
Have you tried getting 40kg out of a locker? Especially when you have to clear everything else fom on top of it.

Lash two 20 litre fuel containers togther and try it.

I just fitted a 6 man Viking on the pushpit, no way could my wife get it out of a locker and over the rail, not sure that I could do it either whilst trying to hang on in 'lumpy' wheather

Adrnaline only provides so much help!!

See you on the ARC.

Starblazer
 
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