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Want to get a life raft.

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Seasmaster, Feb 26, 2020.

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  1. Silver Lining, Mar 1, 2020
    #41
    Silver Lining

    Silver Lining Member

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    The Viking Rescyou life rafts are packed in a heavy duty vacuum packed bag. This is then loaded into the valise or canister. The vacuum pack allows for the three year interval. Many life rafts are not vacuum packed.

    I have the 6 man Viking ocean in a canister. Used to have one in a valise, but too heavy to move around at 90 lbs.
  2. Pascal, Mar 2, 2020
    #42
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Good to know ... yeah these things are heavy. Our must be over 100 lbs I use the davit to lower them on a cart.
  3. Norseman, Mar 4, 2020
    #43
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    End of story:
    Mr. Seamaster and Me drove down to Miami and picked up our new Viking life rafts today:
    We were both experienced navigators with 90 years combined experience, had 3 different electronic navigation programs in the car, including an 8” plotter and still got lost. Finally found it:
    Impressed with the Viking facility, it is huge.
    I had to downgrade my raft from Ocean to Coastal due to space and weight constraints: Limited space onboard a 28’ cabin boat and if I was ever injured and wifey had to lift the raft up to the aft deck/swim platform, the difference between 36 kgs and 28 kgs could be the difference between life and death.
    Still got the 6 pax Viking raft with the canopy, the difference is: The Coastal you expect to be rescued within 24 hours, the Ocean, days and days on da float.
    With my cruising area being Bahamas and the Florida Key, with a 406 GPS EPIRB, a handheld VHF and a handheld GPS, I expect to be rescued within 24 hours.
    Capt. Seamaster was/is great company and we both say hello to Judy, she is coming along on the next River Rat Cruise.

    Brand new raft:
    https://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=14124&c=500
  4. Seasmaster, Mar 14, 2020
    #44
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    Actually, Cap'n N'man left off the best part. After loading my raft aboard, we just had to celebrate our cleverness with Land-Navigation and "yard & stay" rigging, to get the raft aboard, by going over at YOT restaurant at Lauderdale Marine Center. Afterwards, it was then over to his house to unload his unit to his boat - then to celebrate some more [it's what mature men do]. At the end of the fun, the good Cap'n took me back to LMC via his smaller water-craft.

    Having electronic navigation in the "land-yacht" is an exercise - mostly in frustration, because the AI doesn't understand there are no "turns" off of the on-ramp to the Turnpike. . . However, it was a lovely tour of the industrial park.

    The staff at Viking was quite helpful, and I had a chance to tour the "raft-certification" area. I recommend them to any and all. It was a large space, with very competent staff. Of the many I visited in my career, the Viking unit in MIA was top-notch.

    I'm totally "down" with a River Rat cruise with the team!!

    Here's the raft!! IMG_3663 copy.jpg
  5. Capt Ralph, Mar 15, 2020
    #45
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If the MMSI states Norseman, I think you 24 hour rescue is to optimistic. I'd let you marinade a while longer. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
  6. d_meister, Mar 15, 2020
    #46
    d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    Did the Hammar hydrostatic release come with?
  7. Seasmaster, Mar 15, 2020
    #47
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    For extra $$$, yes
  8. Seasmaster, Mar 15, 2020
    #48
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    You underestimate the contents of his ditch bag‼️‼️

    Seriously though, I’m giving a lot of thought to getting an Airdale 121.5 MHz handheld. I’d like to talk to the 747’s flying overhead!
  9. Capt Ralph, Mar 15, 2020
    #49
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Your a pilot? Or just want a homing beacon separate from 406 to be squawking?

    https://www.polarisrdf.com/2018/12/20/why-121-5-mhz-will-always-be-needed/

    Amazing, Those old orange tubes would still be usable. I knew so but the batteries were no longer available.
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2020
  10. Seasmaster, Mar 15, 2020
    #50
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    Not a pilot. I’m remembering my Navy days when on the ship we monitored two frequencies 121.5 – international air distress, and 243.0 – military air distress.

    So when I’m floating in my life raft working on my suntan, wishing I had remembered to put SPF 2000 in the ditch bag, when I’m looking at the contrails at 30,000 feet, I can key my hand held and contact the aircraft up there saying, “hey up there, I’m in a life raft down here send help”. And then launch a flare & some orange smoke to get his attention, and all that other fun stuff!
  11. Norseman, Mar 15, 2020
    #51
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Be nice, my MMSI states Gentleman, need immediate rescue to keep the martinis flowing, but I can go redneck if you bring rum/cokes.

    Good idea, all pilots crossing oceans monitor 121.5: Line of sight, at altitude 200 NM, but from a raft at least 100 NM diameter of you got a good battery.

    Aye, fun day getting them life rafts, you are good crew. Let’s do it again:
    Passed by LMC twice today, once for a fuel run, second time for pleasure, but your boat was not at the WW2 dock, hauled out for bottom work I guess?
  12. Capt Ralph, Mar 15, 2020
    #52
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Outstanding plan all.
    o_Oo_O
    For sure, good girl scouts..
    :D:D

    Ya know, I luv you kids. Always want fast rescues and cool martinis.
    But I have to tilt somebody's cocktail from time to time or it would not be fun.

    na zdrowie
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2020
  13. Seasmaster, Mar 16, 2020
    #53
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    Yeah. . . On the hard. . . Already dealing with "mission-creep". . . sigh. Apparently water has gotten into places where water doesn't belong. . . CRAP!!

    First coat of barrier coat. . . 2 more to go & 2 coats of anti-fouling. . .
    IMG_3793.jpeg
  14. PacBlue, Mar 16, 2020
    #54
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Very nice looker, I like that chine design a lot :)
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