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No doubt a subject mentioned more than once. I am fitting a liferaft cradle to the coach roof, however to ensure the cradle is secured via bolts to the roof I need to remove the hatch garage panal, therein lies the problem, after removing the 4x screws, I find the panel remains jammed under the traveller. Does the traveller need to be removed? If so how, as I cannot see any simple route. And before anyone says, the pushpit corner rails are too small to fit the cradle and raft. !! I would appreciate any thoughts, help. Thank you. Dave
Mine is a 2003 B32 and I spent a very long time trying to decide where to put a liferaft. I was reluctant to put it on the garage panel because it would restrict the forward view, most probably get in the way of the mainsheet when tacking/gybing and it would mean a lot of disturbance of fittings, as you are finding. Also, imagine the situation of a total emergency at sea, perhaps in the dark. How easy would it be to get to a garage-mounted liferaft. I toyed with having a s/s structure made to support the liferaft on the stern (I found one precedent on a boat which was for sale overseas). In the end I bought a valise version and put it in the front of the cockpit locker, in the narrower part between the holding tank and the inner face of the cockpit. I reckon that in an emergency, a frightened helm could have it out and deployed in seconds.
Hi Jonathan, it is not easy. Ironically I had a valise liferaft and had it stowed in the cockpit locker, however it was so difficult to get out I know my wife couldn’t cope and I struggled, not to mention the ongoing attempts to keep it tidy from all the other items stowed. Fortunately the raftbi have is quite glad and won’t obstruct forward vision too much, likewise the way the boat is rigged prevents anything snagging, it’s just a case of of getting a few bolts under the garage panel. The stainless steel cradle has numerous screw hole attachment points so if all rows fails I might firmly use 20 high torque wide body short length self tappers. Bit ideally i would like to get the garage roof off for a few bolts.
Hi Davefortey, did you ever get this sorted? My brother in law has just given me a liferaft and cradle (I have to get the raft serviced). I have a recently purchased Bavaria 34 Cruiser. Like you my push pit is too small for the cradle and a valise is too heavy to get out from the bottom of the big cockpi locker. I’d be very interested in your solution 🙂
Good afternoon Pete. Well, I bought the raft , a low profile 4 man from Suffolk marine, and a general purpose ss cradle. Initially I fitted it to the aft quarter guardrail, however after only a few trips it was obvious it was at risk of collision damage and used with a hydro static release system I feared the pelican hook could be inadvertently slipped. With help from boat yard managed to free the traveller bolts (×4), after that it was an easy case of removing garage roof, giving it all a good glean and bolting the cradle to it. Refitting was easy as was the now cleaned traveller. The raft only obstructs a small percentage of gorward vision if steering from sitting position. No interference with Vang, and easy to locate and launch ftom either side. And more importantly free to self release via hydro unit should boat go down. The garage roof is strong and secure as the 4x screws are backed up with traveller rail holding roof down. A highly recommended position, but be sure to use a low profile raft.
Thanks for the reply Dave, I’m awash with liferafts lol I have access to a valise 4 man and the one mention in my post. Both need servicing, The Valise LR is just over 3 years old, the other 9 years old but serviced regularly by my B in L. I’m wondering if I can get the valise LR fitted into the cradle canister when I go to get it serviced. If not I’ll go with the canister fitted like yours as there’s no way we could easily pull it out of a locker, filled with Dinghy, lines water hoses, electric cables and all the boats fenders. On a previous boat (Hanse 311) there was a nice gap just big enough for a valise LR in front of the steering pedestal, Out of the way during a voyage yet easily to hand if needed. There’s no such space on my Bav 34 as the Pedstal and attached table fill the cockpit floor.
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