Liferaft
When we bought our Nic31, she was fitted with an ugly stainles steel platform at the back especially made to take the liferaft (a Plastimo in container). She would have her transom unusually deep in the water.
We got rid of the platform and the Plastimo liferaft and purchased a Viking RescYou Pro (the new self righting model made to ISO standards) for 4 persons in a soft valise packaging, and with the minimum accessories inside (we will have a "grab bag" attached to it). We gambled that it would fit in the liferaft locker at the back of the cockpit.............and it did, although we had to move and push a bit, we were able to close the lid without a hitch.
We are very happy that we managed this, because now the transom sits quite a bit higher in the water and we dont get water in the cockpit anymore when we use the engine above 4 knots......and we have a splendidly designed and manufactured liferaft. Model: 4UKSL
Of course we have no commercial interests with Viking and dont own any shares of them....just thought this might interest some people.
Is this your one? I quite like the way you can clip it on a rail. Might only look good on larger boats though.
--Andy
Harrisom
Unregistered User
(5/10/05 7:05 pm) Reply
liferaft
I think one of the best features of the Nic 31 is the built in liferaft storage in the aft end of the cockpit. I have carried an Avon Offshore 4 person liferaft raft packed in a valise in this compartment for years. I've had the raft serviced regularly without any problems caused by moisture, etc. from being stored in the built in compartment. It appears that the new Viking raft packed in a valise is a good fit like the Avon is.
Liferaft
I dont know where the best place is. We bought ours from Le Chantier des Minimes in La Rochelle and paid about 2400 euros inlcuding VAT at the rate of 19.6%...LOL. Delivery was very fast.
Re: Liferaft
Look into Winslow, 6 man,custom, valise and vacuum packed,with a three year repack 'warrantee'...they are primarily an aircraft/raft supplier with a big foothold in the marine industry here in the US. They have been rated no1 in the recent past by Practical Sailor (USA) after extensive and exhaustive testing and I think have repack stations in Guernsey and Meaux, France. Mine fits perfectly in the liferaft locker with maybe a 1/4 inch to spare. 4 person rafts considered too small...by some...recommendations for 6 man rafts even for only 2....see Practical Sailor (USA)...on a Nic 31 you will have to carry a ditch bag for flares, EPIRB, etc. ....there is a limit to the locker space...
PS Is this classy web site being backed up these days? I hate writing things twice...this topic has also been covered in the past.
PPS The spell check STILL doesn't work...at least not from my computer!
jpbsail11
Unregistered User
(15/10/05 12:14 am) Reply
Liferaft
Winslow is not approved for me, so I do not have a choice.
I would disagree with the 6 person raft for 2. Not enough weight! I carry a second aviation liferaft from.Survival Products" which is in a very small package
Re: LiferaftPS Is this classy web site being backed up these days? I hate writing things twice...this topic has also been covered in the past.
PPS The spell check STILL doesn't work...at least not from my computer!
I am unsure how one would go about backing up the posts, but I agree it was a real shame we 'lost' alll those previous threads. Spell Checker has still not been restored for some reason only known to EzBoard!
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