life raft

Hi Cruisers

I just purchased an IP350 and wonder what kind of life rafts
others carry, what size, and where are they carried? Cannister
or valise? Seems like a locker or the railing might might work
best since there isn't a lot of room on deck. Any comments
would be appreciated.

Ananda

I am a firm believer that if you are going to carry a life raft then it should be easy to get to when needed - so when offshore I lash ours to the front of the steering pod.

I bought a used Viking raft for our trip to the Caribbean - in a soft side bright orange case. Would prefer one in a hard case though as they are easier to deal with.

Where is your boat located? Good to walk the docks, talk to people, and try to touch as many different kinds as you can before deciding. Boat shows are a great resource.

I will be looking for another raft before I head back to the US.

Bobby

In Florida now, boat(350)stored on the hard in Grenada

Hi

Just bought the IP350 and now am upgrading. The boat is in Bradenton FL. I may get a valise liferaft and put it in a locker since there isn't a lot of space on deck...but would like to mount it on the rails.

We plan to sail the thornless path to St Martin starting in January and then down to Venezuela before heading out to the South
seas.

Is a 4-man liferaft large enough for 2-3 people in such areas?

Thanks for your input.

Lots of people here do not seem to have liferafts or use their dingies...but they don't travel all that far offshore.

Best wishes,
Ron Welch

Is (was) the boat named "Day Dream"? If so I did a bunch of work on her before she was listed with the broker in Bradenton. If you have any questions let me know, I am very familiar with the 350 and this boat.

If you get the right size raft you can lash it forward of the steering pedestal while offshore and then keep in either lazarette while not making a passage.

Good luck on the "Thorny Path".

Bobby
350-57 Gra'inne

Hi Bobby

Yes, the boat was DayDream. We have renamed her Ananda. We have made quite a few upgrades in the last two weeks and wonder what work you did on her.

Thanks for the tips.

Best wishes,
Ron and Sharon

Replaced bonding wires, redid DC wiring (and labels), replaced thruhull in the forward cabin for overboard discharge, replaced macerator, replaced holding tank and tank monitor, installed keel cooler for future replacement of reefer unit, etc. Rebedded the stern tube, installed a new cutlass bearing and repacked the stuffing box. Had worked on the boat off and on since the previous owners took possesion back in 2007.

Reefer unit will have to be replaced before you head South

Any questions, let me know.

Bobby

We are having the sails restitched and the fixed rigging redone, adding a new chartplotter, radar and weather system, a new depth sounder and a second racor filter and SSB...having the windlass
fixed and added a delta anchor and new chain. We will replace hatches and add a watermaker before heading out in January. We hope to make it to Mobile AL and then up the TennTom waterway before hurricane season and avoid the oil spill in June.

Thanks for your input.
Ron and Sharon

Ron:

I also have a 350 - since 1998 and now spend half the year cruising in the Caribbean. I spend summers near Burnt Store Marina so if you have any quesions or want to discuss the boat let me know what a good email address is.

Bobby
350-57 Gra'inne

Hi Bobby

My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ron Welch

I seem to have lost your email address

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I am trying to contact s/vgrainne. are you in the ft lauderdale area? Looking for someone to help with the IP 31 that I have purchased.