Hello One option I've seen used on sail boats is the 3 million candle power spot lights (or possibly larger). If a small sailboat sailor wants to be seen, they can beam one of these lights at the other boat or at their sails. This makes them easy to see. These lights are a little bit big, but for an evening paddle, one could carry one along. Beam the light at your kayak or at the other boat to make yourself more visible from a distance. Sadly, I have not seen a brand of these lights that is submersable. Without it being submersable, it probably wouldn't last long in a kayak environment. Thoughts? Wisdoms? Derek --------------------------------------------------------------- Please limit all email attachments sent to this address to a maximum of 0.5MB. All email attachments that are larger then 0.5MB will automatically be deleted. --------------------------------------------------------------- ICQ: 262152266, AIM: GlamourpetsD, MSN: [my email address], Yahoo Messenger: glamourpets --------------------------------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have had two of these and both of them broke within a couple uses and I have therefore lost interest in them Not using in a harsh environment. On Aug 2, 2007, at 9:23 PM, Derek wrote: > Without it being submersable, it > probably wouldn't last long in a kayak environment. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I've used these on a cruising sailboat with mixed results. It inevitably blinds anyone you point it at. And if there is spray in the air (like during a storm) it's almost useless. The one I had tended to get mighty hot, too. However it can be used to good advantage if entering a strange anchorage in the dark. But if there's anyone else in the anchorage you will not be a popular person. Craig Jungers Royal City, WA On 8/8/07, Robert Livingston <bearboat2_at_comcast.net> wrote: > > I have had two of these and both of them broke within a couple uses > and I have therefore lost interest in them > > Not using in a harsh environment. > > > On Aug 2, 2007, at 9:23 PM, Derek wrote: > > > Without it being submersable, it > > probably wouldn't last long in a kayak environment. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The bulbs in these lights are typically halogen. Unfortunately this means that the heat is normal. I wonder if this heat (and the possibility of sudden cooling) makes the lights unwaterproofable. *shrugs* Temporarily blinding approaching traffic may be undesirable, but its better then being broadsided by someone who otherwise would not have seen you. Sadly, the unwaterproofness of these devices remains a problem for kayakers. Derek --------------------------------------------------------------- Please limit all email attachments sent to this address to a maximum of 0.5MB. All email attachments that are larger then 0.5MB will automatically be deleted. --------------------------------------------------------------- ICQ: 262152266, AIM: GlamourpetsD, MSN: [my email address], Yahoo Messenger: glamourpets --------------------------------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 8/9/07, Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Temporarily blinding approaching traffic may be > undesirable, but its better then being broadsided by > someone who otherwise would not have seen you. Blinding someone who might then not be able to determine which way to turn to avoid you just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I'm pretty sure that the only reaction I'd have to that situation if I were on a small powerboat is to close my eyes and maybe cut the throttle (if I can find it). That might help you if I'm still far enough away for my vessel to stop. If not, then don't touch the terminals on those big batteries as you go over from the collision. Of course, if it's a commercial vessel you point your light at then they might not be able to stop at all even with the engines in full reverse. And if it's a tug with a tow astern they are not going to throw the engines into full reverse. In that case you get hit by the tug and then, a few minutes later, run over by the tow. And if it's a tug pushing a barge your bright light will only illuminate that dark shape bearing down on you; the captain of the tug probably won't even know you were there. Ditto for the Chevron tanker with the bridge 500 feet aft of the bow. Then there are the liability issues raised by deliberately blinding the operator of another vessel. If that vessel then goes aground or collides with something else you instantly become liable for what could possibly be millions of dollars in damages. In fact, if that vessel then collides with *you* then you could be liable for his damages. Many people seem to believe that anything they do to avoid being run down is legal and this is just not so. You can maneuver in any way you like: turn, back down, speed up, or stop. You can sound the appropriate horn or whistle signals. You can show the appropriate running lights or flash a lantern or a flashlight at them. But if you knowingly use a device that will impair their ability to navigate their vessel you can expect the USCG to be out looking for you right after the other skipper gets enough sight back to find the radio. Why wouldn't it be better to just keep a sharp lookout and use a bright flashlight in a timely manner to show your position and then maneuver your kayak to stay clear? Craig Jungers Royal City, WA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
just wondering where i might go to find hardware for a long out of production boat? Specifically, I'd like to retrofit a rudder onto an old plastic kayak that I got for what it is worth, free. It is probably an Aquaterra Sea Lion, no markings say sea lion but descriptions seem to fit. The stern comes to a point, no flat spots to mount rudders the way I usually would see them.. I've seen how a rudder is installed on a 'glass Sea Lion, it is a sleeve that fits around the point. So any ideas where I might find such a piece of hardware, or a workaround? Thanks Mike San Rafael, CA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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