Skipjack Sailing 118. Life-raft inspection.

[@sailingoctopot]

My thoughts on the mystery square bag is that might be an inflatable floor? I agree with other comments that you may have to rely on this to save your lives when in heavy weather and possibly incapacitated so I would be thinking of replacing the gas cylinder which I am guessing has an actuator valve broken/missing. I would replace the torch with an LED one.

[@skipjacksailing8986]

Agree. It is mostly a desired budget thing. Those new rafts cause every bit of 2000 usd.

[@charleskirby482]

Russ, Probably best to replace the valves so you will be familiar with them. Yet, my thought about the port you were using is to quickly release air, as after cleaning and inspecting as you are doing now. Additionally it could be used to get as much volume into the raft rapidly, then use the other valve with a check mechanism to add air for stiffening the tubes to suit. Good luck in your preparations, and good sailing when you are ready.

[@skipjacksailing8986]

Good thoughts. Right now happy if I can just get air in there. A month ago I was without a life raft at all…so I am happy now to just be a couple of valves away from a functional liferaft.

[@rosetolentino3061]

I love this this

[@skipjacksailing8986]

Salamat, po!

[@dreamtimesv]

Russ is would dump this ancient life raft and buy a self inflating new one. They are too important and in an emergency you could never activate this raft for successful deployment imho. I bought here in Australia a two person raft for about $900. Every two yrs i have it service checked costs about $150. A no fuss solution and i know it’s always ready to go, best.

[@skipjacksailing8986]

Thank you for that. I think that the life-rafts are much more expensive here. I will check. Does it really look ancient to you?

[@dreamtimesv]

Yes it does. You need fast automatic deployment of a raft. This seems not set up for that. It should be in a case with a hydrostatic release mechanism that automatically opens the case in the water followed by automatic inflating. I suggest you have a look on line and see what I mean. Best

[@skipjacksailing8986]

I sure will. Much appreciated.

[@bugbunny1306]

You should anchor out one night.