Runaway Raft

[Gatto Nero]

Folks, CanisLupusArctos was kind enough to post this picture on his Black Cat Weather Facebook page earlier today. Well, it turns I saw it on my iPhone and immediately recognized it as my raft. I have since spoken with him and he is telling me he expects that it could be as far south as Rattlesnake or beyond. Unfortunately, I am traveling this week and have no way of retrieving it until the weekend. If anybody happens to see it again and has a a safe way of retrieving and keeping it for me until I can return this weekend I would be forever grateful. Thanks again Mike.

[Gatto Nero]

Bringing this back to the top in hopes that folks getting up to their camps for the weekend are wondering where that raft sitting on thier beach came from.

[HellRaZoR004]

Hopefully you find it. Any idea how it broke loose?

[Gatto Nero]

I have an idea but I haven't been out to look at it yet. I tried using stainless steal cable but I couldn't find a stainless thimble. I'm guessing the loop pinched and snapped at the connection to the raft itself. I guess I'm going back to chain.

[trfour]

These folks will help you out with stainless steel hardware, and much more.
Fastenal.
8 Maple Street Suite#1
Meredith, NH USA 03253
P:(603)279-1092
F603)279-1408
Hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5 PM EST

Terry
________________________________

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

I have an idea but I haven't been out to look at it yet. I tried using stainless steal cable but I couldn't find a stainless thimble. I'm guessing the loop pinched and snapped at the connection to the raft itself. I guess I'm going back to chain.

1) It could be dragging the mooring block, so the raft may safely sit off a shore. (But maybe a different shore today!)

2) For 40 years, a neighbor has been using a S/S cable for the mooring of a 20-foot sailboat.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by ApS

1) It could be dragging the mooring block, so the raft may safely sit off a shore. (But maybe a different shore today!)

This got me thinking so I went out and checked on the block. Unfortunately, it's right where I left it. It's in over 15' of water so I won't be checking on the condition of the cable anytime soon.

[John A. Birdsall]

common the water is a little cool, I was in last weekend for over an hour, and I had to go under to retrieve some tools. nicelooking raft.

Oh, have some wiskey heated up for when you get out, the bigger the shot the better you feel, then you be weddy for another dip!

[Gatto Nero]

I actually have full dive gear so when there is a reason to do the cold won't really be a problem. I will heat up the whiskey though nonetheless. You can't be too careful.

[NHBUOY]

Did you get your raft back.?. It's a nice one.

[Gatto Nero]

Not yet. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good Samaritan that monitors the Forum. Keeping this thread near the top can only help.

[upthesaukee]

....But have you called the Marine Patrol? Or the local gendarmes? ....told you it was a stupid question.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

....But have you called the Marine Patrol? Or the local gendarmes? ....told you it was a stupid question.

There have been periods of calm—and there are boaters out there after midnight.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

....But have you called the Marine Patrol? Or the local gendarmes? ....told you it was a stupid question.

Not such a stupid question. I had not called MP until I read your post. They weren't aware of any call ins but took my info. I had to Google gendarmes.

[SIKSUKR]

Oui Oui monsieur.

[winnitru]

Well GN, misery loves company. We came back to the lake about an hour ago to find our new raft missing. I will follow the advice here, but if anyone hears of an unexplained raft washing ashore and someone desperate to return it to the rightful owners feel free to get ahold of me!

Ours looks like this
http://servadock.com/swim-rafts.html

Thanks!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by winnitru

Well GN, misery loves company. We came back to the lake about an hour ago to find our new raft missing. I will follow the advice here, but if anyone hears of an unexplained raft washing ashore and someone desperate to return it to the rightful owners feel free to get ahold of me!

Ours looks like this
http://servadock.com/swim-rafts.html

Thanks!

That looks like the new one in front of Gatto Nero's house (JK)

[Gatto Nero]

I am happy to report that the raft has been located. While lollygagging on the Jet Ski with Nera Gatta this afternoon we came across it on Six Mile Island. I spoke with the folks who's shore it washed up on and they asked if they could keep it for the weekend, as their company had grown rather fond of it. That will give me a chance to reset my mooring lines as well so that works out just fine. All's well that ends well.

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

I am happy to report that the raft has been located. While lollygagging on the Jet Ski with Nera Gatta this afternoon we came across it on Six Mile Island. I spoke with the folks who's shore it washed up on and they asked if they could keep it for the weekend, as their company had grown rather fond of it. That will give me a chance to reset my mooring lines as well so that works out just fine. All's well that ends well.

I'm glad you found it....I probably would not have been as willing to let them use it this weekend as you have considering it didn't belong to them and I'm assuming they didn't report it (assuming).

Did they have it anchored as if they were taking possession of it?

[icg56]

At midnight found 8x8 plastic gray swim raft adrift off Hull Island. No ID on it. Now on beach due west of Marker 54 on Eagle Shores.

[HomeWood]

Glad you found it. Did they mention anything to you about reporting it themselves? I'd be quite irked if they did not and would be hesistant on letting them have it any longer purely out of principle. If they took care of it....hey...no harm I guess.

[Gatto Nero]

They did not report it. They were even surprised when I told them I had notified the Marine Patrol. Life is too short to get irked. I needed the time to fix my mooring anyway. No harm done.

[lakershaker]

We just purchased a raft this weekend, and this thread got me to thinking of the best way to attach contact info to it. We have an inflatable bouncer, so I really need something like a heavy-duty weatherproof luggage tag I can put on one of the D-Rings. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could work?

[HomeWood]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

They did not report it. They were even surprised when I told them I had notified the Marine Patrol. Life is too short to get irked. I needed the time to fix my mooring anyway. No harm done.

Cool. Have a great summer!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by lakershaker

We just purchased a raft this weekend, and this thread got me to thinking of the best way to attach contact info to it. We have an inflatable bouncer, so I really need something like a heavy-duty weatherproof luggage tag I can put on one of the D-Rings. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could work?

Write your info on both sides of a piece of paper and bring it to place like Staples that have laminaters. Leave a large corner without paper and use the heavy laminate. Punch out a hole in that corner and use a key ring to attach to one of the D-rings.

[HomeWood]

Or install a water tight boat registration holder. The circle ones with the snap on clear cover and put your info in there.

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by lakershaker

We just purchased a raft this weekend, and this thread got me to thinking of the best way to attach contact info to it. We have an inflatable bouncer, so I really need something like a heavy-duty weatherproof luggage tag I can put on one of the D-Rings. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could work?

Although I'm obviously not the guy to ask.... ..... I had a name plate made. It was glued on with Gorilla Glue and lasted a couple of years. It fell off when pulling it for the season last fall and I never put it back. I guess I should have also screwed it on, huh?