Re: [Paddlewise] Boat color

In a message dated 7/12/2002 2:25:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net writes:


> The urban legend that I heard about the color red and fire engines is
> that it is difficult to see at night.  

It's not an urban legend. I sold visual and audible signals for emergency 
vehicles for 9 years and one of the principles of that field is that red is 
more visible in daylight. Red is seen distinctly by 2 of the 3 cones in your 
eyes. Red contrasts neatly under bluish sunlight. However, night visibility 
of red is poor, not just as a flat color but of illumination (relatively 
speaking). That discussion degenerates into nature of the light source, 
reflectivity of paint and decals and maintenance of system.  Not really for 
here but any questions back channel me.

Dave's Jpegs clearly reinforce how poor a chance an embattled small craft in 
red, or any color, would have of being seen by a search plane flying at 
75-100mph. Personally, I'm not worried about work boats seeing me.They move 
fast and predictably (relatively speaking) and I stay well out of their way. 
Color may offer some advantage in short range situations where the 
zig-zagging (fast and unpredictable) pleasure craft pilot might ID the color 
quicker from disadvantaged perspectives, ie, watching the skier, icechest or 
the passengers, not the path ahead. In my opinion paddlers should pick the 
color or non color they like the best and look around a whole lot.

Dos Pesos,

Rob G

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