HOLT saftibag

[BobF]

My Picnic Cat came with four Holt saftibag #2302. Unfortunately only two have valve stem covers and I cannot find a source for anything that will work, so I'm taking a wild leap and wondering of anyone has a source or perhaps has a couple of extra valve covers I could buy. Thanks

Bob F

[bruce]

Long shot, Bob, but I see Nautos USA is still selling these bags. In case you haven't tried, although I expect you have, they might be able to help.
https://nautos-usa.com/products/buoyancy-bag-pillow-bag-36-quot-x-12-quot-item-sb2302-holt

I'm not sure what protection the covers provide. My Optimist 43L bags are jammed in place, no adjustments needed in 10 years.

[BobF]

The Holt bags have a valve stem like your car tires, but perhaps because these are older they don't hold air without the valve stem cover. Your Optimist bags are a little cheaper, so probably I'll just order a couple of those. Always like a boat that will float.

Thanks,  Bob

[Andre]

In case you choose to buy new bags ...

After my capsize, I bought 6 Optimist bags (I use 4, the rest are spares) from Intensity Sails. At the time (10 years ago) they were $15, now they're 3 for $75.  I've been happy with them.

https://www.intensitysails.com/flbaforop.html

Andre
PC 275

[bruce]

Thanks, too bad they had to reinvent the wheel. https://cpyoa.com/forum/Smileys/default/rolleyes.gif Replacing the core on a Schrader valve is easy.

I agree about floating. We have 8 of the Optimist 43L bags, about 760 lbs of floatation, and still have lots of room in the lockers. I filled them when I installed them in April 2011 and they haven't needed any additional air. They do cycle with the temperature, and become soft in cold weather, but as long as I don't get compulsive and top them off, they firm up just fine in the Spring. Get compulsive, and they may pop.

The leaves of the locker hinges screwed to the cockpit bench on our boat were secured with 2" self tappers projecting menacingly into the lockers. They looked problematic with the inflated bags, so I replaced them with the short machine screws that the hatch hinge leaves are secured with. Similarly, the mast ring was fastened with the 2" screws, that threatened the two bags lashed athwartships at the mast. I left them in place, but fashioned a thick ring of ethafoam, split so it clamps over the mast stub, that I slid up and jammed onto the offending screw tips.

[BobF]

Andre that's a good deal, thanks.

Bob F