Life Raft Recommendation and Mounting

Fishtales

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
8,235
Reaction score
1,344
Points
113
Hi,
Looking to install one on my Marlin.
I'm looking at the 6 person Viking Rescyou Coastal 6 person in a canister with the hydrostatic release. Can get into it for just over $2100.
Does anyone have any input on the model and if the hardtop will handle the weight (66#)? I have the question into GW, looking for someone that has one mounted and any input they can provide.

Thanks.
 
I have one (Revere 6 person coastal) mounted on the hardtop with the hydrostatic release. GW will tell you they don't recommend it but I know several people that have it there with no issues. Try to mount it so that one edge of the raft itself sits over the hardtop support. I used large washers on both sides of the hole for the cradle brackets. The hardtop is made of soft material and you need to use sealant, etc when you do the install. You should have no issues.
 
Thanks, I plan to go through with it. GW got back to me and said just that. They also said it voided the hardtop and frame warranty. :huh
 
this where I mounted my raft, made the mount my self to fit there.

100_07652.JPG
 
I thought about the valise, but there is more than enough room up there and it would be neatly out of the way. I wouldn't have to deal with lugging it nor the space it takes up when onboard. I need to take some measurements and see where the mounting holes line up in relation to the supports. I'm surprised the structure and top were not designed to handle additional weight and a usecase like this.
 
I have a few questions of why you would mount a raft on the hard top that had a device to release when it sank below a set depth, I’m not sure at the preset foot range that it would release, but I don’t think a Grady would sink that low unless it was on fire, So how are you going to climb up there to manually release the raft? But think about it , why do you need a raft and when would you really need it? That’s why I felt mounting it at a location that was easy to get to was a important factor. The way to release a raft is deploy it pull the line and get in. well yjat my 2 cent.
 
Hi Freddy,
The smaller GWs have level flotation, so they will sink as you say. Not so on those models with basic floatation. All the larger GWs and most others for that matter have basic. They will turtle over. You'll have something to hang on to though. So I think this is the best place to put it.
There isn't a lot of extra space on these boats, so why tie up cockpit, cabin or bow space. Practically, I'm hoping I set and forget and never need (except to inspect) to touch the thing. If the worse happens and I've been doing more fishing 15-20mi out, i think it is prudent to have one in addition to and epirb and well equipped ditch bag.

The other thing is the cost of these and inflatable PFDsare coming down dramatically. The Viking RescYou 6 man all in is around $2150 with a 3 year (used to be every year) inspection cycle. GW would be wise to upgrade the frame and top design to hold some weight in my opinion, the competition does.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I think that there is enough room for a valise type raft to be put in front of the motors after the motors have tipped down. I know there is on the 272. Velcro o0r strap it to the vertical fiber glass just behind the rear seat. It is out of the way but easily accessible. Remove and store in the cabin in the rear bunk area.
 
I'm going to stay with my original plan and put it on the hardtop. We'll see if there is an issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.