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Sandman,
You're right it is excessive. I think some things that have to be understood is allot of the regulations for rafts were developed by the USCG and IMO (Int Mar Org) with commercial shipping in mind. And even there I think still excessive. I believe in the industry you will see some time intervals change and get extended a bit for this is a big cost for shipping companies. Unfortunately it seems these same regs filter down to the small boat fleet.
I have seen rafts being repacked. It is not that hard to do. Anything that is a regulation you pay a price for. Also some of the price may be dictated by the manufacturer. ( like the price if high end reels). It is very expensive for the raft repack companies to get certified to repack rafts because they have to go to all the individual manufactures, it is not blanketed.
I have seen rafts inflated that are clase to 20 years ago in perfect shape get replaced with new for at that age the amount of testing required superceeds the price of a new raft.
On my opinion every 3 years would be respectable.
Note that you can go beyond the expiry service date on the stamp by 3 months and still be within regs. There is no extension on the hydro release though.
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