Totally agree Shawn. But it is possible to test the bladder without. Chuck S
> On 01/07/2025 12:43 PM EST Shawn Wright via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > > 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 mailto:shawngwri...@gmail.com > > > > On Mon, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM CHARLES SCHEAFFER via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com mailto: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 mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > > Exactly! > > > That's what we did - > > > https://youtu.be/wfq30jP_58k 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 mailto: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.http://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 > > > > mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > > > > Sent: Friday, January 3, 2025 5:04 AM > > > > To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > > > > Cc: Steve Mallett <steve.mallet...@gmail.com > > > > mailto: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 mailto: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 mailto: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 mailto: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. >
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.
