Purchasing Flare Packs

[northeast1]

Not something i have done for 4 years so interested to get a few opinions on purchasing a new flare and smoke kit.

I am after a flare pack that consists of at least 2 flares and 2 smoke for a min of 6 miles off shore, loads on the market for upto 3 miles visable from shore. Lots of makes on the market and alot of info to read through, the kit i have now was over £190 but not looking to spend anything like that again and hoping to get a set for under £60.

Can anyone recommend a kit that would do the job for that type of cash?

[big_sean]

Hi Richie

I just get an offshore pack and this is normally about 140ish here is one at 150 i know you want a cheaper one but this one is for vessels that sail more than 7 miles from land so it covers the occasional offside trip

HANSSON OFFSHORE DISTRESS FLARE PACK - FLR5615 - Flares - HANSSON OFFSHORE DISTRESS FLARE PACK - FLR5615 - Flares - Discount Marine Chandlery and Sailing Equipment. Bargain Boat Spares and Clothing

one thing to check is how long is left on them, i think usual is about 3+ years

Sean

[northeast1]

Cheers, tey are not far away from what i have now but with 2 extra parashoot flares in, i will keep looking

[big_sean]

Richie

Have a read of this and see how important flares can be.

Boat fire drama off Beachy Head - Eastbourne RNLI

Good job he had some in my eyes


Sean

[northeast1]

Well after spending alot of time checking these out i am going for these...

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/2894/hansson-coastal-distress-flare-pack-flr5610

I will also hold onto my para rocket flares (£40 each) that are a couple of months out of date but the kit listed above should cover me for a further 3 years....it is something as the saying goes

"better to have and not need than to need and not have"

Even if it is £100 up in smoke or in the bin depending on if you use them or not.

I have also ordered a gps Locator Beacon FastFind MAX since i was on the web site

Cheers for the info peep's, guess thats my boating fix over for a while and the money from selling my shore gear has paid for emmmm 2 flares ha

[northeast1]

Well after spending alot of time checking these out i am going for these...

HANSSON COASTAL DISTRESS FLARE PACK - FLR5610 - Flares - HANSSON COASTAL DISTRESS FLARE PACK - FLR5610 - Flares - Discount Marine Chandlery and Sailing Equipment. Bargain Boat Spares and Clothing

I will also hold onto my para rocket flares (£40 each) that are a couple of months out of date but the kit listed above should cover me for a further 3 years....it is something as the saying goes

"better to have and not need than to need and not have"

Even if it is £100 up in smoke or in the bin depending on if you use them or not.

I have also ordered a gps Locator Beacon FastFind MAX since i was on the web site

Cheers for the info peep's, guess thats my boating fix over for a while and the money from selling my shore gear has paid for emmmm 2 flares ha

[Charlton]

always used to keep my last set of out of date flares as a back up, even flares 6 year old used to work when I got rid of them properly. Just an idea used to carry a set of mini flares in floatation suit just in case I fell over board

[northeast1]

Here is a question? i often take them to Storrer and hand the old ones in but i was thinking can i set them off on new years eve 10 miles in land? not sure on this one really any idea's??

[KeithB]

Some daft fella managed to set one off in his pocket down the quay, not sure if he's still in hospital, Ouch!

[northeast1]

Ouch i bet, god knows how you set them off on mistake, on mine you have to screw a cap off, pull a safety then hold a cord. Them rocket para's go off like sh*t off a stick

[oldessox]

Here is a question? i often take them to Storrer and hand the old ones in but i was thinking can i set them off on new years eve 10 miles in land? not sure on this one really any idea's??

Not sure if its illegal Richy , but I'm pretty sure it's well frowned upon , I think it should be allowed , far better to have experience of setting one off than have to start reading the instructions when the **** is hitting the fan.

[northeast1]

I know when i did my RNLI open safety day they showed us how to set a hand smoke and a rocket flare off but we never did see one fired, i would love to set one off and just see what it is like and how to do it but would hate to think someone called a search on (even being 10 mile in land) thats why i was thinking new years eve to set them off.

I watched a UTUBE video of one of them £40 rocket flares that i have 2 of, they look fantastic and will be the first thing i reach for if we ever need them.

In all my time at sea i have towed a boat back in once and been part of a missing diver search at St Marrys once am glad to say not a great deal.

[The Jester]

Richy, I've seen a para flare set off at close quarters, a few years back on bonfire night, and i wouldnt want to let one off for fun, the lads arm nearly hit the floor, and he said never again, I would leave well alone unless you need to use one in distress which hopefully will never happen....

[northeast1]

Well these para flares or rocket flares are sold to be launched from a plastic boat with 100ltrs of fuel on and 3-4 men standing within a area of about 7m so i hope it was not as bad as he says

[Kev1n]

Richie, I do what Alan suggests and keep the out of date flares as spares.

You're spot on right about the energy involved when flares go off. Last bonfire night I tried some old smoke and pinpoint flares in my back garden and three out of four fired. It is something that every boat owner should try once for the learning experience; they are violent and the casing glows red-hot. After that, I now have a pair of fireproof gloves taped to my flare pack. The parachute rockets are even more severe from what I’ve read, hellish if they misfire, and run the risk of landing while they are still alight, so not a good idea to set them off inland.

Location beacons are worth having, check that it floats though, the Fastfind needs a case to keep it from sinking if dropped over the side.