So I popped my 1997 Viking liferaft...

[Travis McGee]

Okay, here is a link to the closest current Viking 6-man offshore raft to mine. The new one is yellow instead of orange, but seems about the same otherwise.

If new is $3,000, and it'll cost about $1,000 to repack and recertify, does anybody want it? I'm in NE Florida.
Viking RescYou Liferaft 6 Person Valise Bag Offshore Pack

[hellosailor]

$1000 to repack and certify...but you don't need it certified, do you?

What it "needs" at this point is a new gas cylinder, or a refill and a new trigger/valve, so some other creative option, no?

That's assuming the seams and material really are solid, not just holding together and pretending to be.

[Travis McGee]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

$1000 to repack and certify...but you don't need it certified, do you?

What it "needs" at this point is a new gas cylinder, or a refill and a new trigger/valve, so some other creative option, no?

That's assuming the seams and material really are solid, not just holding together and pretending to be.

It appears to be extremely robust and "new" appearing from what I can determine. I'll try to get to the CO2 actuating mechanism, and inspect particularly well where the freezing gases might have damaged the seams. Viking brags about its superior rubber and longevity, it appeared brand new when I popped it. Maybe I can get a bootleg CO2 refill, and fabricate something for a new trigger head if I can't buy one. In that case, I might repack it myself as best I can, after vacuuming out the remaining CO2 etc. We'll see...I'll follow up if I discover anything interesting.

[Doug Brown]

If you are in a marina, why not wait until the weather gets a little warmer and then throw it in the water for everyone to try out - ie getting into it, what it's like being in it, etc.

People that haven't been to a STCW class really need to learn just how hard it is to actually board a raft from the water and how much room there is inside.

I think everyone would really appreciate your gesture.

When your done, maybe give it to a sailing club so they could do the same thing at various times of the year.

PS. Viking will only re-pack a raft to their standards with their equipment and with a ceretificate. I tried getting around that (wanted my own gear in it, didn't need a certificate) and they ABSOLUELTY would NOT do it.

[mpatter894]

call Viking and ask them how you can donate it