SOLAS Reflective Tape

[Maine Sail]

I finally found a way to capture the performance of the SOLAS tape I installed on the mast, my radar pole and solar panel. I happened to be taking a "Christmas Card" photo for a couple of friends and had my flash mounted to my camera on the way back in the dinghy.

I really like the SOLAS tape for a couple of reasons.

#1 If you ever needed a night rescue search lights can more easily spot your boat. This stuff really, really reflects and I guess that's why it is soooo expensive.

#2 In a crowded anchorage I can spot our boat with my head lamp quite easily.

#3 It also reflects through fog quite well. Even when I can't see the boat by naked eye I can see the SOLAS tape when making a dinghy approach if I use a head lamp or flashlight.

I only installed it for safety but have found other nice benefits too. It's really good stuff..

P.S. That's Tim R. sucking down a cold one in my cockpit...!

 

[RichH]

I found a better solution than SOLAS reflective tape: get some of the reflective tape used to 'mark' hazardous material chemical drums. Such is bombproof, just as reflective, very long lasting, better adhesives, and less costly. My wife is employed by Chemical Co., so the supply price is ... . I chose this alternative because I noted that some 15 year old chem. drums stored 'outside' looked like the tape was still 'new'.

I have the upper 15 ft of my mast totally covered in the reflective tape ... gets lots of positive comments from the 'commerical marine' folks when sailing at night and their 'lights are on'. Also applied to the whole aft surface of my wind-gen pole and across dinghy transome. Indeed a safety item.

 

[Maine Sail]

Sounds..

Sounds a lot cheaper than the SOLAS stuff!!:cussing: Do you know a brand or source? I'd like to get more..

 

[RichH]

Re: Sounds..

Dont know the Mfg. but it wasnt 3M. Sorry

 

[Ross]

Re: Sounds..

I have often thought to apply red and green reflective tapes on the bow and white across the stern

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Didn't use Solas

While I haven't yet applied it to 'Wind is Free' itself, I applied reflective tape to the trailer guide posts and in fact used both white and red. A small red band all the way around the post; white section above it facing the front; larger red reflector facing the rear. Since the boat is longer than the trailer, it increased visibility on the road, but originally my plan was only to apply the small red band. This band is located at water level when the trailer is in deep enough for easy launch/recovery. I used tape from an auto parts store such as would be used on a chrome pickup truck bumper - pretty cheap!