Inflatable Liferaft: Container or Valise Based ?

[barnakiel]

Canister, if stored on deck.

b.

[Tia Bu]

Valise. Most of the year, we can stow it in a locker, or even at home, away from the sun and elements. This has got to help it stay in better condition.

On an offshore passage, I take it out and put it on a quarter berth right beside the companionway, where it is as easily accessible as a deck mounted canister would be.

[dana-tenacity]

Just to confuse you further, I have been rolled mid ocean, the raft was in a canister attached to a custom SS frame bolted to the cabin top. When we came back up the raft was gone never to be seen again and we were left with four holes in the cabintop to deal with where it had been ripped away by the force of water.
Never had much faith in those things since.