I have a hard cased life raft and I would like to have suggestions as to the best location and method of stowage. I am a bit concerned about locating it on the
cabin top forward of the dodger because of the restriction in visibility and the vulnerability to a large wave rolling down the decks. Also as it weighs about
75 lbs that seems like it will affect stability somewhat. All ideas are appreciated.
0 Kudo
Life Raft Stowage
| Author | Comment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 pmellen |
Life Raft Stowage |
Lead | ||
|
Posts: 16 09/12/07 08:39:36 |
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
do335 |
#1 | |||
|
Posts: 258 09/12/07 21:09:14 |
I have a valise model and store it in a special housing (think large vertical tube) in the port lazerette. It has the advantages of being protected at all
times except when needed and then it is easy to pull out. I agree, mounting it ahead of the dodger like many do seems poor at best. I also don't want to be
leaving the cockpit to release the raft if my boat is sinking.
Steve 642-2f TESA
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
svzephyr44 |
#2 | |||
|
Posts: 123 09/13/07 02:25:24 |
I don't know the best location but mine is in fact stowed on the cabin top. I considered a valise model and did not want to have to think about dragging it
out while the boat was sinking. Mine is SOLAS and USCG approved and has a hydrostatic release. In other words, I don't have to do anything to launch it -
if the boat sinks it will launch itself. I would suggest that depending on why you are sinking just about any location could be a problem so it doesn't
much matter from that prospective. If you are sinking because of heavy weather going forward to release the raft will be a small issue in comparison to the
other things you are managing.
I find the two items that I don't feel I have a good place for are the raft and the dinghy. I would put both on the stern but that would restrict use of the boarding space etc. I have often though that it would be nice to have two mountings - one for long transits where we will not be using the stern area, and one for in port/at anchor where we will. Of course in the second case the dinghy will be in the water so that frees its space. Roger Reboot #493 USA 60493 Shorewood, WI
Roger
REBOOT USA 60493 |
|||
|
|
||||
|
pmellen |
#3 | |||
|
Posts: 16 09/17/07 05:53:51 |
Thanks to both for your thoughts. I would have preferred a valise model, but I have what I have. I have to work with the hard case.
Roger, how did you actually mount the case holding bracket? It seems to me that you have to put the bracket on the hood that covers the companion way slide. Did you have any particular problem doing that? The clearance for any hardware trhat might protrude downward concerns me as I don't want to mess up the companion way opening or closing. Have you or did you consider some way to possibly mount it on the stern rail? I have dingy davits, but when I am off shore I do not carry my dingy there. My 1st preference would be to figure our a way to carry the raft on the stern and my 2nd choice is forward of the dodger. Any thoughts on this are appreciated. Paul Saltwater Taffy #480 MKII Hampton, VA |
|||
|
|
||||
|
jjellis02 |
Raft on SV Hoku lele | #4 | ||
|
Posts: 9 05/24/08 15:41:34 |
Because of the access issue already mentioned we chose to place our raft on deck just in front of the dodger. We had to have a custome mount made to clear
the companion way garage cover and to get into a good solid region on the deck. When at dock or on the hook we have security bar we can add to the mount. We
selected the Switlick SAR 6. The visibility is some what restricted but is acceptable. Whad had it mounted about 3/8" off of the deck to minimize this.
jim & jean SV Hoku lele( # 958) |
|||
|
|
||||
|
Sandy Golden |
Life Raft Large Verticle Tube Storage Question | #5 | ||
|
Posts: 25 05/25/08 04:16:11 |
I have a valise liferaft and plan to store it in lazerett.
Can you tell me more about the "large verticle tube" you use to store you valise life raft. How do you secure it and life it out of the lazerett? Do you have a system worked out? Thanks Sandy Golden SV Sweet Angel |
|||
|
|
||||
|
do335 |
#6 | |||
|
Posts: 258 05/26/08 16:37:48 |
Sandy, I built a specially shaped box with one end open, sorta like a large tube but with one end closed off. The box is approx 50" long and in cross
section is in the exact shape of the lazerette opening on the port side. I slide the box in the lazerette with the open end up and the closed end resting on
the bilge below. I can slide my raft into the open end and when it slides to the bottom, there is enough space to close the lazerette lid. The lazerette lid
hinges are made so you can easily remove the hatch completely when open.
I have a line attached from the raft to an anchor point inside the boat so when I remove the raft, I just need to throw it overboard and the raft will still be attached to the boat. The raft is heavy for one person to lift out the box, but manageable, especially since the lazerette hatch is removed. I have also installed large bungie cords inside the box that assist lifting the raft out of the box. The raft will also float out of the lazerette if the boat was to sink if you open the lazerette hatch. What I like about it is that the raft is protected from damage and being stolen while still being easily available when needed. I would like to develop a inflatable bag system that would push the raft out of the box when triggered, but that is still on the drawing board. 
If you are interested, I'll post some pictures.
Steve 642-2f TESA
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
do335 |
#7 | |||
|
Posts: 258 06/03/08 20:08:41 |
Here is pictures of my raft installation in the port lazerette. I made a box out of thin plywood with fiberglass tape on the corners, inside and outside of
corners. This left me with a box just small enough to fit into the lazerette, but also large enough to fit the valise raft inside. I installed bungie cords
inside the box to assist in lifting the raft out of the box. The box sits on a stand that is fiberglassed to the bilge below the lazerette.
    
Steve 642-2f TESA
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
Sandy Golden |
Life RAft Stowage | #8 | ||
|
Posts: 25 06/10/08 11:17:03 |
Steve,
Your method seems like a good fix for me too. Is the box easily lifted out when the raft is out so that you can still use available space underneath the box for storage of items not needed too often? Thanks for the pictures. Sandy Sweet Angel |
|||
|
|
||||
|
ajchan |
#9 | |||
|
Posts: 160 06/11/08 19:33:54 |
I am of the hard container school of life rafts. I have just received my Viking Rescu-pro 4 person raft in a hard case. The most obvious place to mount the
raft is on the sea hood, just forward of the traveller. Has anybody mounted their raft on the sea hood, without removing it? Or is there a type of blind nut
that I can use to bolt the carrier in place?
Threepenny Opera
1999 C-42 MK II, 2CP Wing #640 http://the-voyages-of-threepenny-opera.blogspot.com/ |
|||
|
|
||||
|
steveleshner |
Life Raft | #10 | ||
|
Posts: 56 06/13/08 12:34:28 |
I do not have a life raft but I do have a100 lb dinghy stowed in the spot in front of the traveller.I had a stainless shall we call it luggage rack,made from
1 1/2 '' stainless tubing. Mounted it from the traveller forward to the cabin top.Inflatable sits rolled up,strapped down and out of the way.A
canvas cover keeps it out of the weather.Visibility is not impaired but your life raft is probably higher than the rolled up inflatable.If it fits under your
boom and out of the way of your Vang, this a way to go.I'll try to take a picture this weekend and post it here.
Steve Leshner Batucada #386 2 cab MDR.Ca |
|||
|
|
||||
|
do335 |
#11 | |||
|
Posts: 258 06/15/08 20:23:55 |
Sandy, yes the box comes out of the lazerette once you remove a few screws at the base. I put things behind it that I don't plan on needing very often.
You can still get to the shelf on the port side. You would only need it in place when you plan to carry the life raft. Everyone has their own ideas on life
raft storage, this works best for me.
Steve 642-2f TESA
|
|||
|
|
||||
Add Reply
- Technical Discussion
- Cruising-Racing
- Fleet News
- Swap Meet
- Boat Listings
- FAQ and Member Feedback
- Archive-Advice C42-NewBoats-Catalina-Charter
- Archive-Batteries-electrical
- Archive-Deck-dodger-pulpits-life lines-rubrail
- Archive-Dinghy-Davits-Ladder
- Archive-Engine-generator-diesel-ob-hoist
- Archive-Finishing-teak-custom woodwork
- Archive-Hardware-rigging-sheet stoppers-furling
- Archive-Misc
- Archive-Plumbing-head-watermaker-propane-tanks-frig
- Archive-Prop-shaft-thruster-rudder-keel-hull-bot paint
- Archive-Races, cruising, insurance
- Archive-Sails, sheets, halyards
- Archive-Administration of forum-C42 Int. Assoc
- Archive - The Old Forum (wwwboard)
- Polls
