A great guide, but one thing I would suggest is to use the pump to inflate as well as deflate, to avoid adding moisture and bacteria by blowing into it which may lead to mildew over time.
-- Shawn Wright shawngwri...@gmail.com On Mon, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > My oldest inflatable PFDs were made in 2002 and their CO2 cartridges were > replaced in 2007. I was thinking I had to replace the CO2 bottles and was > temtped to pull the rip cords but learned some things last week from other > boat owners. You can save some real money by not pulling the PFD > rip-cord. > > I learned you don't need to replace the cartridge if it weighes more than > the minimum gross weight stamped on the bottle. (Because it will weigh > less if any gas leaked out.) And you can test the bladder by just blowing > through the mouth tube until it's firm and waiting overnight to be sure it > holds the pressure. It's best to deflate the thing using an air matress > compressor or a portable air compressor, cause you want to remove all the > air before repacking. You do need to replace the bobbins, because they > have an expiration date stamped on them. But CO2 bottles have no > expiration date. Weigh them on a digital food scale and write the weight > and date on a tape label each year. Replace any bottles showing corrosion > or damage. Keep the bobbins up to date. Do the pressure test for 12 or > 24 hrs once a year and you'll be assured your PFD will work when needed and > save $ as well. > > So here it is January and there is 8 inches of snow on my boat and I'm > home testing the PFDs and checking off one more thing that's needed before > sailing season. > > Hope sharing this helps others, > Chuck Scheaffer, Resolute 1989 C&C 34R Annapolis > > > > On 01/06/2025 6:32 PM EST Bill Coleman via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > > Exactly! > That's what we did - > https://youtu.be/wfq30jP_58k > > Bill Coleman > Entrada, Erie PA > > On Fri, Jan 3, 2025 at 9:41 AM Novabraid via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > If I have expired bobbins and antique CO2 cartridges and I’m wondering if > the bladder on my PFD has leaks, why not pull the cord and inflate the PFD > and check for leaks? You’re going to replace the bobbins and cartridges > anyway so save yourself the hassle of trying to blow the PFD up manually > (which is likely to underinflate the bladder to start with) and check for > leakage. > > And Charlie, you won’t get far looking online for Landmark.. the company > is Landfall Navigation in Stamford CT. www.landfallnavigation.com . > Another source would be Life raft and Survival in Tiverton, RI. Life > Jackets, Safety Vests & PFDs – Life Raft and Survival Equipment, Inc. > <https://www.lrse.com/collections/life-jackets> > > Chuck Gilchrest > > s/v Half Magic > > 1983 LF 35 > > Padanaram, MA > > *From:* Steve Mallett via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > *Sent:* Friday, January 3, 2025 5:04 AM > *To:* Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > *Cc:* Steve Mallett <steve.mallet...@gmail.com> > *Subject:* Stus-List Re: CO2 cartridge Re: Inflatable PFDs > > > > > > On Fri, Jan 3, 2025, 2:30 a.m. CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > Hey guys, > > I'll check Landmark. I'm just wary that companies sell safety equipment > that is outdated. > > > > I recently (today) learned that it's possible to recertify your CO2 > cartridges yourself, and keep and reuse them indefinitely saving $$$$$. > You simply need to weigh the cartridge using a digital scale like a food > scale and record the weight and date on the CO2 cylinder. My 38 gram CO2 > bottles were marked, Minimum Gross Weight of 149 grams and the actual > weight came to 153 grams and 157 grams. I used two different scales to > confirm my test. > > > > I have four inflatable PFDs. I pulled the CO2 bottles and three look > brand new though they were made in 2003 and 2007. I will replace the > corroded one, even though it passed the weight test. I weighed the others > individually and used a piece of rigging tape and a sharpie to record the > weight in grams and the date, when they were checked. I've been told they > need to be checked annually, and this method meets that criteria. > > > > The water activated "bobbin" is different. It has an expiration date > printed on it and most Coast Guard inspections will want that current and I > might keep a spare CO2 and bobbin, onboard in a ziplocked sandwich bag if I > were planning a trip to Bermuda. > > > > If you want to be more assured and safety minded, you can open the PFDs > further and manually blow up the bladder as best you can and wait 24 hours > to test for leaks. Then squeeze out all the air, rearm them, and refold > them back into their jackets and return them to service. I may do that > tomorrow as there's no sense depending on a PFD or buying a new CO2 > cartridge if it can't maintain pressure? > > > > Hope this helps others, > > Chuck Scheaffer, Resolute, 1989 34R, Annapolis > > > > > > On 01/02/2025 4:11 PM EST Richard Bush via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > > > > > Chuck, great question, I need some too! > > > > Richard > > 1985 C&C 37 CB; Mile 596, Ohio River > > Richard N. Bush Law Offices > > 2950 Breckenridge Lane > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2950+Breckenridge+Lane?entry=gmail&source=g>, > Suite Nine > > Louisville, Kentucky 40220 > > (502) 584-7255 > > > > > > On Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 02:20:19 PM EST, CHARLES SCHEAFFER via > CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > > > > > Hey guys, > > Where is the best place to buy CO2 cartridges for inflatable PFDs? > > > > Thanks, > > Chuck > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal > at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are > greatly appreciated. > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: > https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly > appreciated. > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal > at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are > greatly appreciated. > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal > at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are > greatly appreciated. > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: > https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly > appreciated. > > Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to > keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal > at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are > greatly appreciated.
Your contributions help pay the fees associated with this list and help to keep it active. Please help by making a small contribution using PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/stumurray All contributions are greatly appreciated.
