Replacements for flare kits.

[25yearslater]

I purchased one of the WM Deluxe flare kits 3 years ago so it is time to replace them to remain ripped off, err, in compliance, yeah that's it. At 149 bucks for 3 12 gauge 3 Red and 2 Orange Smoke that seems like robbery. Of course I'm cheap. Anyone have a less expensive source for the tri annual bend you over. The last kit came with the boat and was expired in 2009 and I still test them for function. Guess what? They work fine.

 

[woodster]

try here for refills i see no need to pay 50 dollars a year for a new kit and there is 4 each in the pack

http://www.basspro.com/Orion-Alert/Locate-Signal-Kit/product/10228678/

 

[Rick Webb]

Walmart has the best prices I have found but watch the dates on those they do not sell quickly there so restocking may be slow. As an alternative you can price match West Marine with Walmart's price. Watch the date's there too as I have found expired flares on the shelf for sale, someone was not rotating the stock on the shelf.

It is not a requirement to replace all of the devices as long as you have three current flares you are compliant. The 12 gauge flares are so wimpy I do not even bother with them any longer the handheld flares burn much longer and much brighter they are much more likely to be seen than the 12 guage aerial flare.

 

[25yearslater]

Thanks guys. The prices through normal channels seem a bit outrageous for 3 years especially the orange smoke. While I don't have a problem having them, as it is a prudent requirement, it seems 30+ dollars for one orange smoke flare is piracy at its' finest. It would be great to get refills for these kits at lower cost since that would go a long way to keeping everyone compliant.

 

[All U Get]

I just buy the flares but keep some old stuff on board. Someday I'll take the very old ones I have in the garage and light them up. Stay tuned for reports of Northern Lights, news at 11.

All U Get

 

[25yearslater]

I just buy the flares but keep some old stuff on board. Someday I'll take the very old ones I have in the garage and light them up. Stay tuned for reports of Northern Lights, news at 11.

All U Get

I know what you mean AUG. I was sitting on my porch deciding to test one of the expired rocket flares so I launched it only to be amazed. It went over the power lines 200 feet out and continued across the highway and another 300+ feet into farmer Browns field. Quite a bit of anxiety about starting a wildfire. Glad it had rained the night before.

 

[shemandr]

Orion sorely needs some competition.
I tried to light off some expired flares - handheld with the pull cord - at a 4th of July party reasoning they wouldn't trigger a S&R response. I had never lit one and figured some practice would be good. Not one fired.

 

[Richard Bryer]

And then we in Canada have to have the full requirement for the specific vessel unexpired and more expensive because of our $ these days AND they have to be Cdn Coast Guard approved- so not all US sold flares meet the requirements. Strange how this side of the lake can make you more drown-able!

 

[25yearslater]

Orion sorely needs some competition.
I tried to light off some expired flares - handheld with the pull cord - at a 4th of July party reasoning they wouldn't trigger a S&R response. I had never lit one and figured some practice would be good. Not one fired.

I agree completely Shemandr. I don't have a problem remaining compliant and I always tend to go a bit beyond the basics as it is just prudent. But getting shaken down like I'm dealing with organized crime for 'protection' is infuriating.

 

[Jackdaw]

Oh quit yer whining! Sailing is SUPPOSED to be expensive! ;^)

But seriously, USCG-level approved flares are total garbage. If you actually want to be SEEN when you pop a flare, you have to get SOLAS rated flares. They are 10 times brighter. And they don't drip that nasty hot slag all over your hand.

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/solas.html

I think the USA is the only country that allows the use of such crappy pyro. We can't race off-shore with the USCG stuff.

 

[25yearslater]

It sure would be nice to get some common Great Lakes requirements for Canada and the U.S. on everything Richard. I know the whole crossing the imaginary border issue is another of my pet peeves. The different reporting requirements have everyone on both sides confused. Same with the flares. Can I even come across for a visit with the 12 gauge type of flare gun aboard? I even went so far as calling Transport Canada to insure my Marine Toilet would meet Canadian requirements. I'm that anal about this stuff. That and it is just good manners to comply with your host destination's requirements.

 

[woodster]

so if you use an expired flare in an emergency situation and get rescued do you then have to stand charges for illegal activity one has to wonder

 

[25yearslater]

Oh quit yer whining! Sailing is SUPPOSED to be expensive! ;^)

Yeah I know that Jackdaw! I'm just really cheap. I squeezed my first nickel so hard the Indian is riding the Buffalo.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While it is probably prudent to carry pyrotechnical visual distress signals (and I do), I'm not so sure they are required. It may be that the minimum requirements for day-time distress sailing is an orange signal flag and an electronic signalling device at night.
Take a look at:
http://www.boatus.org/distress-signals/

 

[25yearslater]

While it is probably prudent to carry pyrotechnical visual distress signals (and I do), I'm not so sure they are required. It may be that the minimum requirements for day-time distress sailing is an orange signal flag and an electronic signalling device at night.
Take a look at:
http://www.boatus.org/distress-signals/

I was reading through that this morning Warren. I even read the USCG info which was as clear as mud. The Great lakes have a requirement the same as Coastal requirements which requires a bit more than say the inland requirements. I'm considering replacing to the minimum and replacing the expired extras on an interval that makes the hit easier to take. If I had been thinking, that would be something new, I should have replaced them on an annual rotation even though they hadn't expired. Red flares one year, Orange smoke year 2 and 12 gauge in year three. That might make the whole deal less bitter.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Oh quit yer whining! Sailing is SUPPOSED to be expensive! ;^)

But seriously, USCG-level approved flares are total garbage. If you actually want to be SEEN when you pop a flare, you have to get SOLAS rated flares. They are 10 times brighter. And they don't drip that nasty hot slag all over your hand.

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/solas.html

I think the USA is the only country that allows the use of such crappy pyro. We can't race off-shore with the USCG stuff.

It's a bit confusing, but I think SOLAS is a rating, not a manufacturer. Orion manufactures SOLAS-rated flares. I think Landfall is just a retailer, not a manufacturer (not so?); so who's SOLAS flares are they selling?

 

[JohnShannon]

SOLAS = Safety Of Life At Sea and it is an international (possibly Sharia) convention
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOLAS_Convention

So they set standards for marine equipment. In the case of flares, a SOLAS flare is vastly superior (and more expensive) than a USCG flare. The SOLAS flare will burn under water, the USCG flare will go out. The SOLAS flare doesn't drop Slag the USCG flare will.. etc.

 

[JohnShannon]

So sorry a SOLAS flare is a flare made by whomever that complies with the SOLAS flare requirements. Much as a USCG flare is a flare that complies with USCG requirements

 

[njlarry]

Any one make a DSC flare? In a real emergency I expect to have my hands full and a microphone in the third. I have 12 gauge onboard just to be "legal". There has been discussion about the CG approval of electronic flares. However they do not expire and do not require much attention to operate unlike flares that require full time focused attention.

 

[Jackdaw]

So sorry a SOLAS flare is a flare made by whomever that complies with the SOLAS flare requirements. Much as a USCG flare is a flare that complies with USCG requirements

That's EXACTLY my point. Its a higher grade, a higher standard. Anyone that wants (and can) can make and sell them.

Once you see the difference its hard to use the USCG rated ones, if you actually expect one day to rely on them. If you're just buying them to comply with regs, by all means get the cheap ones.