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Canvas Cover for Life Raft Canister

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by babyc34, Mar 12, 2014.

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  1. NYCAP123, Mar 13, 2014
    #21
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    There are manually triggered rafts. I watched an episode of Deadliest Catch the other day where the boys from the Northwestern set off one in the galley of their friend's boat. Nobody ran 50' pulling a painter.
  2. K1W1, Mar 13, 2014
    #22
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    TV Time is precious even for reality TV Shows, it is quite possible that like Chefs on cooking shows what was seen was "one I prepared earlier".

    I have never seen one in a cannister or valise without a painter.

    Things don't always go smoothly however.

    Liferaft Test by PBO: XM 4-Man Valise inflating - YouTube

    Following on from D_Meisters excellent post. If you are interested in learning how to get in one and how to right an overturned one there will be courses run at your local seamanship school.

    The main one I am familiar with is the Certified Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat which I had to have to revalidate my CoC from STCW 78 to 95.
  3. NYCAP123, Mar 13, 2014
    #23
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    It was not in a canister. Maybe it was taken out and the painter cut or maybe it was designed for manual deployment. DK.
  4. babyc34, Mar 13, 2014
    #24
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    I got all kinds of advice but nobody answered my question. Got to love it! I must admit that there were a few points made that I hadn't thought of, like how long the painter is. The instructions say to tie the painter to the boat and to throw the canister over board. I think I'm going to look on YouTube to see how it works.

    The canvas cover would be like any other canvas cover on the boat that comes off when under way.

    Yes I do intend to get it recertified. It was last USCG certified in 2005 and was due in 2007.

    I would have to cut the straps off to paint it, which is probably not a good idea.

    The cradle that I bought to mount it cost about $550! I only paid $390 for the raft!

    I guess I'll have to fork out another $200-300 for the canvas and I've heard from $300 to $700 for certification!

    I would have been better off buying a new one for $2600 including cradle.

    Anyways, thanks for the input.

    Cheers!
  5. CaptPKilbride, Mar 13, 2014
    #25
    CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    When you take it in for recertification they will cut the straps. Tell them you want to take the container to paint it. Based on the age and lack of recent inspection I would wait and make sure it passes inspection before wasting time and money on painting the container. When the paintwork is done take the container back to the life raft people so they can repack the newly inspected raft and put all the necessary stickers etcetera on it.
  6. CaptPKilbride, Mar 13, 2014
    #26
    CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    And YouTube to find out how to rig and deploy your raft? Maybe try finding the manual for the raft. And get a new Hammar hydrostatic release.
  7. NYCAP123, Mar 13, 2014
    #27
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Actually, if you read back, you did get the answer.

    Capt.J: "I would not cover it with a canvas cover, it can trap humidity underneath the cover and cause the raft to rot."

    D_Meister: " I have seen them nicely camouflaged as deck boxes that no one could get them out of, covered in canvas, painted with logos and the boats colors, and inside compartments. I think that canvas covers with bungee waist cords or the velcro solutions are very good, since they wouldn't be likely to tangle with the painter or covers like a tied on type could. As for the covers opening with a canvas cover, there's not much to worry about. All of the liferaft canisters that I've had on the boats that I've run were actually held closed by stainless steel straps that break when the raft inflates, albeit at a weak point."

    Donzi 54: "Any canvas shop would be easily able to make you one. The way I have seen them done was with Velcro on the corners that would hold it in a box shape"
  8. babyc34, Mar 13, 2014
    #28
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    Ya, I was thinking the same thing. If it doesn't pass inspection I'm out the $390 for the raft and the cost of inspection. I'm thinking that this was one of those times that buying used doesn't make sense.
  9. Carver38, Mar 13, 2014
    #29
    Carver38

    Carver38 Member

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    This was a very enlightening thread for me!

    As a new member here and a new to boating guy with very little experience and an old first boat (1991 Carver 3807) I am trying to bring the boat up to excellent standards while saving money where I can and where it makes sense to do so.

    I too have been looking on ebay.....many, many "never deployed but needs recertification" life rafts for sale there!

    After reading this thread it appears to be one of those areas where used is NOT the way to go, unless it's a fairly current example with a recent cert.
  10. babyc34, Mar 13, 2014
    #30
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    For $2600 you can have a new 4 man life raft and stainless steel cradle. I really think that is the way to go. I may resell my used raft and buy a new one rather than taking the chance of it not passing certification and still having to pay for the failed certification! The prices range from $2000-$8000 for a 4 man raft. You should educate your self about why the prices vary so much so you can make an informed purchase. There are a few good articles online that discuss the differences and what survival gear is or isn't included with the raft. Some rafts have corners which can cause the raft to flip if a wave hits it the right (or wrong) way. Lots of things to consider. I think I'll start the process all over again and do it right this time.

    Anybody want to buy an unused Zodiac life raft with canister that has been out of certification since 2007?

    Cheers!
  11. CaptPKilbride, Mar 13, 2014
    #31
    CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    Still couldn't hurt to take it by an inspection station and ask their opinion before giving up on it completely.
  12. babyc34, Mar 13, 2014
    #32
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    Ya - that's a good idea. I think I'll do that.

    Thanks!
  13. T.T., Mar 13, 2014
    #33
    T.T.

    T.T. Senior Member

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    Have Tom at Coast Marine (Fisherman's Wharf), or Sal at Sal's Inflatables (Alameda) take a look for you. Both do excellent work and you will learn a lot.
  14. Capt J, Mar 14, 2014
    #34
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It is not much more money to go to a 6 person raft, only a few hundred $ more for the same brand/style. You'd be much wiser to buy the larger one for $200 more, the 4 person rafts would be a very tight fit, even with 4 people.

    Also a lot of people don't realize, many of them upon a sinking will not deploy on their own. The hydrostatic release, releases at 33', but on most sinkings the boat will not just sink instantly, it stays somewhat submerged, just below the surface for days until all of the air inside escapes......so if you have the chance to manually release it, don't forget to tie the painter off so you don't lose it when it inflates and floats away, that is the safest way......before the yacht you're standing on is totally gone.
  15. sunchaserv, Mar 14, 2014
    #35
    sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    My Zodiac life raft is in a SS cradle with a navy blue Sunbrella cover for it. It sits under cover of the boat deck and never sees rain or sun. Looks good and easy enough to get ready to deploy.
  16. babyc34, Mar 14, 2014
    #36
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    Where did you get the Sunbrella cover? Did it come with the raft or can I buy one of the shelf somewhere? I'll try searching Sunbrella but my guess is it won't get me too far. I've been looking all over the web for an off the shelf canvas cover.
  17. Old Phart, Mar 14, 2014
    #37
    Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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  18. sunchaserv, Mar 14, 2014
    #38
    sunchaserv

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    It was made at a boat canvas shop in Sausalito where window coverings, Bimini and FB instrument cover were made. It was part of the commissioning process but I can't remember name of shop - maybe Gianola or Canvas Works?. Any good shop can make one, I'd guess for $250. Ten years old and looks like new.
  19. babyc34, Mar 14, 2014
    #39
    babyc34

    babyc34 Member

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    Yes, I found that page a while back but the picture was gone so I figured that they don't make them anymore. I'll try calling them.

    Thanks
  20. Old Phart, Mar 14, 2014
    #40
    Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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