KAYAK LIGHTING ?

[wheresmypliers]

from the way i read the regs, any unpowered vessel less than 16 feet needs only a 360 degree white light. red and green nav lights are not required. am i reading that correctly. i've got the 360 light, an led headlamp, flashlight, and horn. am i good to go or am i gonna get ran over

[Dr Jay]

Hey Chad,

I think youre right on the money. I've read the regs the same way. I fish the bridge at night with a headlight and a scotty mast light and have never been questioned. This is a pretty controled spot with multiple patrol forces on duty due to proximity of the N.W.S. Naval Security/O.C. Sheriff/Harbor Patrol dont mess with me too much and usually just wave. A handheld VHF might not be a bad way to go either if you are by yourself/off shore and get into a bind.

I remember I was out solo one night. About midnight a couple guys came screaming into the harbor after a day of No way were they even close to 5mph, they were on plane. Keep in mind the fish spot is about a mile into the no wake zone. No regards for anything. They never saw my light and I just had time to get out of their way. As they passed, I they backed down quick. A horn would have let them know a little sooner. Been meaning to pick one up since then.

See ya, J

[johnnylite]

Not a bad idea on the horn thing cheap at wallymart. . You gotta let em know you're there. Pick up some extra long life glow sticks also. they some in colors and are pretty easy to zip tye or just tie on in a couple places. better safe than sorry.

[dorado50]

palm size air horm @ west marine(may need most during foggy mornings). light stick is attached to end of rod(when standing upright in rod holder).

[One_Leg]

You know how to whistle don't you?

You just put your lips together and blow.



Lights are a good thing at night in the harbor.




...

[pmurphy]

The difference between being in a kayak at night and being, say, a pedestrian or cyclist at night is that automobiles have headlights and boats don't. Reflecivity is great, but the drunken boaters aren't putting out a beam of light to make it useful.

The key is to be able to actively alert a boater. I got a good dive light, and I will flash it at an oncoming boat. Same theory as an airhorn, but more directional and the light has other uses. I don't bother wearing my reflective vest anymore.

[jagerhunchback]

a pen laser in green would work wonders for that application, i.e. alerting a boat of your presence, more range then a spotlight too.

[holy mackerel]

A 360 white light is a good idea, the taller the better. I am both kayaker, and boater. It wasn't until I started running a boat, that I realized how invisible kayakers are, due to being low on the water.

One night, I came in the channel after diving for lobster, and did not see SEA Kayakers until I was almost on top of them. They only had a very small red light blinking from the back of their paddle jackets.

An Air horn is good for getting someone's attention, they may not be trying to wake you, but rather may just not see you. As stated a dive light for signaling is good, because they are waterproof.

[dorado50]

Can't imagine a kayaker paddleing any where in the channel!!!! Accident waiting to happen?Flir nite vision systems are the bomb for sighting these non-lighted boats in the channel.

[Spyder]

I've been fishing/hooping for a few years at night in my yak. Common sense works best for me. I stick close to the shore in the channel while paddling to my destination and back to the launch. When I cross the bay I have a strong light which hangs from a pole on my yak that can be seen 360 degrees. I also have a strong headlamp which I flash at any boats getting near me. Like I said, use good common sense and you'll be fine.

[troutnut]

These are the requirements from state of Ca.

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/reqequip.pdf


Sailboats and Manually Propelled Vessels
Life jackets: Vessels less than 16 feet in length, and all canoes and kayaks,
regardless of length, must carry one Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved
life jacket for each person on board. They must be readily accessible and
of an appropriate size for the intended wearer.
Vessels 16 feet and over, except canoes and kayaks, must have one Type I,
II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard, plus
at least one Type IV throwable device. The throwable device must be kept
where it is immediately available. Life jacket must be of an appropriate
size for the intended wearer.
Navigation Lights: All vessels are required to display navigation lights
between sunset and sunrise and during times of restricted visibility. In
inland and international waters, sailing vessels under sail alone shall exhibit
navigation lights shown on page 42. The tricolored lantern and the
all-round green and red lights should never be used together.
A sailing vessel of less than 23 feet (7 meters) in length shall, if practicable,
exhibit those lights prescribed, or have ready at hand an electric torch or
lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient
time to prevent collision. A vessel under oars may display those lights
prescribed for sailing vessels or have ready at hand an electric torch or
lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient
time to prevent collision.
Sound Signaling Devices: A vessel of less than 39 feet 4 inches (12 meters)
is not required to carry a whistle or bell, but must be able to provide some
other means of making an efficient sound signal.

[Dr Jay]

Looks like by this part here:

"A vessel under oars may display those lights
prescribed for sailing vessels or have ready at hand an electric torch or
lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient
time to prevent collision."

either a hand held spot or a 360 degree model would be good enough for the regs, but having both seems like the way to go.

Good way to put it Spyder. Common sense is number one.

All this talk about lights is making me thirsty

J