liferaft storage

[CharlesFCook]

In a hard case on the stern rail is the way to go. I don't want to go on the fordeck or below if i gets interesting.

[dana-tenacity]

Originally Posted by daddle

If you store it on deck do it with a serious mount. Thru bolts, backing plates. Make sure if a wave takes the raft (thousands of pounds of force) that the deck goes with it.

Exactly what happened, then we had a boat full of water and holes in the deck to contend with (plus an injured crewmember.

[SkiprJohn]

I hate to keep mentioning that I'm getting older and thinking about onboard injury. If you are injured in a knockdown or rollover will you be able to launch your liferaft from where you have it stored? I always had mine in a canister on deck stored under my hard dinghy secured to the cabin top with throughbolts and backing plates. Only had lines to cut loose to launch both. If the coach roof goes then it'll be automatically in the water and I'll be swimming to catch it after I cut my tether.
Just a thought or two.

[speciald@ocens.]

Mine is mounted outside the stern rail in a custom quick release rack. Its out of the way and can be deployed overboard in seconds. My wife was conserned that the rack would scratch the gel coat when it was launched - I informed her gently that we probaably wouln't be worrying about the gel coat at that point.

[simonmd]

Bless her, love how the female mind works!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Although no liferaft on my boat (and not on my wishlist at the moment) - I have humped around a few liferafts over the years.

For me a Valise would win, and accepting that there may be issues on rapid deployment (from bottom of a locker!) and losing some stowage space, but that outweighed by easier handling to the best launching spot. (a cannister liferaft, especially 6 man plus is a heavy bugger, and when wet can be like wrestling a greased pig!).

Throw in that a Liferaft should last longer by not sitting on deck 24/7 (I know it's sealed, but still.......) and it won't be swept off the deck (leaving holes behind would be my big worry, rather than losing the liferaft - as in conditions that would do that the odds are getting into a liferaft (if you can!) won't be a long term survival event).

Having said all that, I don't think there is any slam dunk right answer either way - it's what works for you / what you are comfortable with.

[mikefossl]

Custom cradle made with 1/4" S/S bar though bolted with 4 x 3/8 S/S bolts and 2" backing plates. Strapped with 2" nylon webbing with S/S quick release fasteners.

[simonmd]

Here's a pic of mine mounted in a cradle on the foredeck for reference....

[annk]

Valise, in a dedicated shallow locker under the helmsmans seat. Light enough(4 man ) for weakest crew member to extract with ease. Don't know wht it actually weighs but it's pretty easy to move.
Having been on a boat where one wave wiped out all the on deck fittings there's no way I'd leave my liferaft out there!

[Play Actor]

Ours is in a valise in a dedicated cockpit locker. On deck storage of anything -- jugs, liferaft, etc. -- is a bad idea on a blue water boat, I think.

Theft of life rafts is also occasionally an issue -- having it out of sight helps avoid that problem, as well.

[simonpickard]

What about storage areas under swim platforms? I've often wondered about these. I.e. how long it would take to get the swim platform down, then get the raft out. In really big seas there might also be the chance to have the platform smash you while trying to release the raft? Or aren't these issues?

http://uk.boats.com/boat-content/fil...Picture-14.jpg