esfishdoc
Well-known member
After 2 seasons of running offshore up to 60 miles I've decided it was time to get a liferaft. I already have an EPIRB which offers one level of comfort and security. I wanted to go all the way after reading one too many stories of boats sinking.
I decided to go with the Plastimo Offshore + 6 man liferaft in a canister. I'm sure the valese would have been just fine but with the canister I don't have to worry about covering it up or moving it around.
I decided to mount it off center for several reasons. If it was mounted in the center it would absolutely require one to be on the roof for a manual deployment. With it mounted to the side it is accessable from standing on the gunwale. Also, it weights about 95 lbs so instead of the weight in the middle it has a lot of it distrubuted down on the forward port corner of the pilothouse. When I'm out alone it will also help balance my weight at the helm.
It is mounted with 3/8 inch stainless bolts. Drilling through the roof makes one appreciate just how well built the roof is. I'm sure the weight in the center would not have been a problem had I wanted to go that route.
The profile of the mounted raft is still several inches below the radar.
I've got a hydrostatic release I have not yet installed. It is unlikely that this would ever be needed as these types of boats rarely sink far enough below the surface to activate it. However, I wouldn't want to be 50 miles out and be the first to have this happen and not have a hydrostatic release.
I ordered the raft from LRSE.
http://www.lrse.com/
Dan was very helpfull and made it an easy purchase. The raft, mount and release will set you back about 3k.
Richard
I decided to go with the Plastimo Offshore + 6 man liferaft in a canister. I'm sure the valese would have been just fine but with the canister I don't have to worry about covering it up or moving it around.
I decided to mount it off center for several reasons. If it was mounted in the center it would absolutely require one to be on the roof for a manual deployment. With it mounted to the side it is accessable from standing on the gunwale. Also, it weights about 95 lbs so instead of the weight in the middle it has a lot of it distrubuted down on the forward port corner of the pilothouse. When I'm out alone it will also help balance my weight at the helm.
It is mounted with 3/8 inch stainless bolts. Drilling through the roof makes one appreciate just how well built the roof is. I'm sure the weight in the center would not have been a problem had I wanted to go that route.
The profile of the mounted raft is still several inches below the radar.
I've got a hydrostatic release I have not yet installed. It is unlikely that this would ever be needed as these types of boats rarely sink far enough below the surface to activate it. However, I wouldn't want to be 50 miles out and be the first to have this happen and not have a hydrostatic release.
I ordered the raft from LRSE.
http://www.lrse.com/
Dan was very helpfull and made it an easy purchase. The raft, mount and release will set you back about 3k.
Richard