Life Raft Repack

[tara11]

We went to the place that is repacking our life raft this morning to get a lesson on how it opens, what is in it and what to expect if the worse happens, it was really helpful and very cool ! Here are some picks ! The guy, who was very cool slowly removed the raft and then filled with air, but explained every step !

 

[FishAC]

pretty cool pictures!

We just got a Winslow Ultra Light Weight 8man in a valise 2 weeks ago. Its amazing how light it is, all packed it weighs in at 41 lbs and i can only imagine how much lighter that will feel if we ever need it!

 

[TopShot25]

Hi Craig,

I've been thinking of getting a lift raft. I've seen posts in the past but maybe you can give me a little more info. How often to you need to get them inspected and is that expensive? I guess it doesn't really matter but I'm just trying to find out what I'd be in for, cheap insurance really. How many is that raft designed for? I like it, it's simple and looks very effective.

Also, what do you think of those perma-trims now that you have learned more about how your boat handles? Do you think you would ever try them again?

Thanks,

 

[tara11]

Hi John, we have not picked it up yet, but he told me it is about 300 pluss to repack, it has to be done every three years or so, between the life raft and the ebirb and our ditch bag, we are set, they also checked our ebirb, it was really neat to see the raft, hopefully we never need it, but my wife and I went to just educate on it.
The perma trims are not for me, I am looking inot larger tabs, but my boat is perfect now, and I love to fiddle with it, so adding larger tabs would give me something to do, but it works perfect !

The raft place is down by you, Avon rafts in San Pedro, I bought it from BOE marine a few years back, it is a newer style and the cover actually has a support and that is nice, the guy who showed us everything said it did not, but I kept saying it did and when we inflated it did, it is a good piece of equipment, and it is a 4 man coastal !

 

[Megabyte]

Good to know ahead of time what to expect if you need to deploy in a hurry!
Did the company replace any of the consumables or dated items in the raft at the time they repacked it?

 

[tara11]

They replaced everything, it is included in the repack price and they give us a better pump to maintain the pressure, it was very cool as I have stated, I can honestly tell you, we would of really been in trouble had we not done this and needed to deploy the life raft, I am sure we would of figured it oout, but we now have all the questions in your mind answered all the way down to the drift anchor and the water maker on the canopy, how to get in in rough seas, everything, even some of the myths were explained !

 

[TopShot25]

Sounds like a really cool deal. Obviously I hope you never need it but great stuff to know. Thanks for the info. I think I need to look at this further as offshore stuff is one of my passions.

I've thought about the larger tabs also. Maybe one of these days, who knows.