Yachting and Boating World forums: Life raft service

As my life raft spends its life under cover I was thinking of extending the service interval, put off partly due to poor advice I was given when I bought it three years ago.

I bought a Seago and I was told by numerous salesmen that no one would service them as they were cheap foreign imports.

I telephoned two service centres and both were keen to quote .

I took it last week and they telephoned me when it was inflated so I could have a look, appeared well built and he confirmed they were the best selling pleasure liferaft and they had no problems to report.

Now the surprise and reason for posting
I bought it brand new June 2005
should have been due for a service june 08

The Zinc batteries expired 08/06
the flares expired 12/07

That is well before the due service date even if taken from the manufacture date.

I tested the batteries in a torch and they lasted lest than an hour.
The service engineer said it was not unusual to find Zinc batteries and it is only recently that they (the service agent) have started to use long life alkaline.

If anyone is interested how the out of date flares perform feel free to pm me early November (one is going to be left outside in the cold/damp).

Cost of the service £100

Well spent , well to be honest I hope it is a waste of money as I hope never to need it, but I wouldn't try to extend a service period.

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