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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Optimum running lights sought
Posted By: Todd Bradshaw In Response To: Optimum running lights sought (Dan)
Date: Thursday, 14 December 2000, at 12:32 p.m.
Dan,
When my wife and I paddle in town, we're on a lake that's 5 miles across and boat traffic can be pretty hairy. It's also often difficult at night to spot fixed or slowly moving white lights against all the lights on houses that surround the lake. The same light that is quite visible in the wilderness, just blends in with all the rest. We decided that motion was the best way to get noticed. I went down to the West Marine store and bought some ACR "C-Lights". They're a steady, white light ($10) about 7" long with two AA batteries and a semi-freznel lens on top that causes them to visually flicker a bit, kind of like a strobe, but the bulb itself doesn't flash. I whipped-up a couple armbands out of scrap neoprene and we wear them on our upper arms, so normal paddling swings them back and forth. They show-up much better than a steady light and it's very obvious to other boaters that they are attached to something alive. Battery life is pretty good (I'm guessing 6-8 hours) and they are pretty hard to break. They also fit in the pocket of a PFD, so we always have them aboard in case we decide to extend an evening paddle.
We also have strobes mounted on the top of the PFD shoulder straps for emergencies - but - if I hear a powerboat coming at me from behind, in the dark, or see one coming at me and I'm not sure he sees me or is paying attention, I have no qualms at all about popping-off a flash or two from the strobe to make sure that the guy knows I'm there. I have even done it to the wardens and they didn't have a problem with it. I think they were more interested in the fact that I was making a serious effort to be seen, than whether it is legal, or not, to flash a strobe a couple of times. If I ever get called on it, I'll just say "Sorry, I hit the wrong switch." As long as you are not trampling all over the regulations and are making a serious effort to avoid a situation that somebody else is going to have to clean-up later, I think most of the authorities will let it slide.
Finally, as far as I know (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) you CAN run a red strobe. Bike shops and pet stores carry small red strobes that can be clipped to a book pack, dog collar, etc. (or a PFD) which wouldn't spoil your night vision and could just be left running.
good luck,
T.E.B.
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