Life raft selection and storage

Continuing with the PCER's, we have rule 10.1, "A boat shall carry adequate inflatable life raft".  You have your choice as to were to store the lift raft (on deck in a hard case, in a locker accessible from the cockpit/deck, or below deck).  We do not have a locker suitable to store a life raft and given the layout of the deck there really isn't an optimal location to store a hard cased life raft in a cradle.  So the only practical solution was a life raft in a valise stored below deck.  The key here was to find a place that wouldn't be in the way, where we could adequately secure the lift raft so it would move around, and could be deployed within 15 seconds (a requirement of the rule for below deck storage).  Here's our solution:

This is a six-person Viking RescYou.  I added four padeyes thru bolted to the galley sink cabinet though which two webbing straps are run to secure the lift raft.  The lift raft isn't under foot and does not block access to the salon bunk even with the lee cloth deployed.  Additionally, the location is only a few feet from the companion way (you can see the stairs in the background of the second picture.  Cindy also sewed up a cover to protect the life raft with some build in pockets for water bottles and/or small gear.  At about 70lbs we have it low in the boat and nearly on center line.  Overall, a good spot.

Check off this item.  Once again, we hope we never have to use it!