What to do with old flares?

hawk232 · Jun 27, 2014

never hurts to leave a couple on board! forgot a lighter the other day so I had to use one to light the grill!

Stu Jackson · Jun 27, 2014

It's a philosophical issue, and also related to the size of your boat and how much storage space you have.

I have old flares from a 12mm gun from Noah's time. I also update handheld flares every few years to meet CG Auxiliary inspections.

Never had to use any of 'em. If I have to, I wish the old one will still work, but if they don't I still have more.

You can go with the bare minimum or keep what is expired but will most likely work.

Or learn how to dispose of them properly. BoatUS is a good resource for that. I'll let you do you own homework.

caguy · Jun 28, 2014

jfschena said:
Few, perhaps. But 14. . . .

I bet Robert Redford wished he had 14 more.

nightowle · Jun 28, 2014

good for chasing moles into your neighbors yard!

Sunbird22358 · Jun 30, 2014

USCG requires at least 3 Day/Night flares (or non-pyrotechnical equivilent, like 1 SOS flag for day and one Auto-SOS light for night) to meet Coastal requirements. 3 flares is never enough, I carry more (OK, my old expired ones!) just in case!

As long as they are in "good" condition, and you have room to store them, I'd keep at least the most recent 3-6 in addition to the required up-to-date ones.

To dispose of old flares, NEVER light them off anywhere near the water, even on 4 July! That is illegal and could divert rescuers from a genuine rescue. Check with local fire and/or police Depts for advice......just don't expect them to take them, even the USCG won't take them to use for practice (against training regulations!).

Scott On Eagles Wings · Jun 30, 2014

We use them to light camp fires.

Mickstr · Jul 2, 2014

I asked one of our local volunteer firefighters over Christmas (they were selling trees), and they said to just throw them away! I think I'd dunk them in water first... (they may have said that too, it's been 7 months...).

I have legal flares, and as of yet never disposed of an old one, just in case....

Capt Gary175 · Jul 2, 2014

If you keep your old flares, make sure they are kept separate from your current (non expired) ones. The Coast Guard is OK with having expired ones on board, but they must be stored separately!

Ziradog · Jul 2, 2014

I shot off 6 old 12 ga. ones (not near water) last winter. Four worked fine, one shot but did not light, one was a complete dud. So don't count on old ones working in an emergency. That said, I always carry at least 9 of these & 6 hand-helds. Oh, and I discovered my gun didn't work - had to clean & oil it. It was a good learning experience.

centerline · Jul 7, 2014

I agree with Stu... keep the old ones for in case you do get into trouble and need to use one or more, for whatever reason.... then you will still have the NON-expired ones to satisfy the law.

i also have always kept the old ones around... you just never know.

one bit of advice though...its always best to prevent a boat fire rather than fighting a boat fire, but just in case, know EXACTLY where they are and make sure you can get to them FAST....because if you ever have a boat fire, you can minimize the damage to property and persons if the flames dont get to the flares.... either shoot them off like fireworks, dump them overboard, or somehow else keep them out of the fire.
they dont typically explode like they do in the movies, but they burn really really hot and fast, and in aggregate, I wouldnt expect it to be a smallish fire either...