The Winslow has a ladder to climb in, works very well. It also deploys with 1/2 of the canopy rolled back, and that is the side with the tether so it faces the boat you tossed it from, making it quite easy to jump in from the deck of a sailboat, so long as you launch amidship.
The quote for repacking was pretty expensive. I think it weights 200 lbs. I don't need a 10 person liferaft. If not for all that I would consider getting it serviced. If you know anyone in San Diego who might want it, feel free to put us in touch with each other.
Liferafts depend in part on the weight of the crew aboard to provide stability, in addition to any integral ballasting system such as water pockets. The last thing you want in severe weather is two people in a 10-person raft, independent of the weight of the thing on deck or for launching purposes.
I’d also say that the last thing you want is four people in a 4-person life raft.
That may depend on whether you want elbow room, or stability.I’d also say that the last thing you want is four people in a 4-person life raft.
True,!that. But I think I’d want a 4-person offshore life raft for two offshore. (But this is all a moot point, as I’ve no budget for a life raft now! But I do have an old offshore one, as the OP does…maybe I’ll inflate it this spring while firing off old flares and guzzling down that old bottle of rum on board…
The rum will be fine, as long as it has been kept well-stoppered.True,!that. But I think I’d want a 4-person offshore life raft for two offshore. (But this is all a moot point, as I’ve no budget for a life raft now! But I do have an old offshore one, as the OP does…maybe I’ll inflate it this spring while firing off old flares and guzzling down that old bottle of rum on board…
Exactly. People are supposed to be packed in tight so they don't bounce around. Imagine two people being thrown across a 6-person liferaft in the sort of storm conditions that would cause you to launch a liferaft in the first place. And having it happen every fifteen seconds or so. Tight spacing would result in many fewer bruises and broken bones.
Do you know where one is in San Diego? My fantasy is to convince someone to come to the boat and take it away. But I might be able to move it from the boat to my car if I can convince someone to give me a hand. Or get a heavy-duty cart or something.
I found that. Clicked on "donate." Takes you to a credit card donation page. I also sent an email to someone from the SDYC who organizes safety classes. Maybe they will take it.
My, also expired, liferaft is a four-person and I sail solo, so would be bouncing around alone. But at least the manual says that the lanyard that you tie to the boat will snap at the liferaft if the boat sinks. The hardest part will be getting the damn thing into the water, it is very heavy, and so I have it placed on center deck adjacent to the opening in my lifelines. Presumably adrenaline would help me heave it overboard.
