[Capt. Marc]

What a load of c-rap. Went to a boating suppy store and the orion flares are now sold in 4 packs. I am sure the 4th flare is free (ya sure). Of course the more the better right? Hope about selling them in only ten or fifty packs? The more the better and the more moula orion will make. And to top it off, The exp dates on the batch I saw ended in JULY!!! Oh thats smart, have Exp. dates that end in the middle of the boating season. We wouldn't want the date to be feburary and perhaps a boater will not buy them until April shaving a few months off orions profits.



This post edited by Capt. Marc 10:14 PM 04/05/2008

 

[Fishbust]

Dates...

Yeah you gotta watch the stores. The flares are good for a few years but they put the oldest stuff on the front of the shelf. A worker in Bargain Bilge saw me reaching in the back of the shelf once and tried to stop me and force me to buy the flares in the front that expired a year earlier than the rest. Not happening.

Rotating the stores stock is not for us to do. But many people do not look at the expiration dates in the store and grab from the front, this is what the stores count on, probably all of them do this.

If everything is too old, don't buy it until they freshen up the shelves. I would never buy flares that expired next year, not to mention half way through this season.

 

[Capt. Marc]

I was forced to grab a batch of flares (

handheld that expire in Nov 2010. They took 33% off for the loss of time since they are meant to be good for 3 years when you buy them off the shelf. Not many people look and then ask for a discount. The marine store manager (chain), said that the companies don't want the expires stuff back and it is expensive to ship some of this stuff because of the haz mat requirements (not sure if this is true).

So they are getting you on three ends possibly. Old dates, poor exp timing (in middle of season) and packaging extras you don't need (4th flare etc).

Don't get me wrong, I believe in this stuff but it keeps on accumulating and all the expires stuff will work. The laws need to be changed to keep up with the technology. With the way some of this stuff is made, it will last a lot longer then three years.

 

[Gaucho]

I agree with the sentiments.
Last year mine expired in August

 

[1ReelDeal]

old flares

Here's my 2 cents. 4 Flares instead of 3 - when you are out there and need them it could save your life, does each one burn 3 minutes? A small price to pay! Save your old flares they work for years after expiration date so maybe you will have 7 or 8 on your boat if you need them. Old dates don't qualify for Coast Guard inspection but never had a coasty tell me I had too many and issue a summons!

 

[codman]

the conversation of old flares comes up every year at this time. I have been told in the past that having old flares (expired) even if you have the required up to date flares, is not legal. Didnt make sense to me at the time and still doesnt. But its what I've been told. If you look on our boats, you will def. find 9-12 flares in each kit

 

[Capt. Marc]

Codman,

I just had my saftey check last week and the CG Aux said that you can have expired flares/equipment onboard buy they need to be kept on a container marked "expired".

 

[Mad Mahi]

codman wrote:
the conversation of old flares comes up every year at this time. I have been told in the past that having old flares (expired) even if you have the required up to date flares, is not legal. Didnt make sense to me at the time and still doesnt. But its what I've been told. If you look on our boats, you will def. find 9-12 flares in each kit

Same as what Capt. Marc posted. I have the safety check each year and have it done by the same crew.

The USCG considers flares to have expired 4 years from date of manufacture, therefore, the law requiring they be replaced every 3 years (error on the side of safety). Expired flares can be carried on board as long as the are kept separate from the good ones, and are marked as expired.

After 10 years, the chemicals used to make the flares become unstable. So, it is suggested that they be disposed of. Not illegal to keep them on board, even then, only suggested!

Save those expired flares! Keep at least 3 good ones on board.


This post edited by Mad Mahi 10:40 AM 04/06/2008

 

[lowlands]

Every year when I take my raft in for service I ask for some "recently expired" parachute flares and smoke cans. I have a small arsenal of year old flares. I have current ones as well, but the old ones will work if needed.

The c.g. has never had an issue with them....

Now all I need is a launching tube and I can be a true canyon warrior.

 

[DANSGONEFISHING]

Three vs. four flares - I could be wrong but something rings a bell about so many minutes of light or the min. number of flares required. I think that is why they went to the four flare pack. I could be wrong I'am sure it will not be the first time.

 

[Capt. Marc]

Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals (VDS):

Recreational boats 16 feet and over used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes are required to carry a minimum of either 1) three day and three night pyrotechnic devices, 2) one day non-pyrotechnic device (flag) and one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light) or 3) a combination of 1) and 2). Recreational boats less than 16 feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual distress signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.

It is recommended, but not required, that boats operating on inland waters should have some means of making a suitable day and night distress signal. The number and type of signals is best judged by considering conditions under which the boat will be operating. Alternatives to pyrotechnic devices (flares) include:

Night Day
Strobe light Signal mirror
Flashlight Red or orange flags
Lantern
Hand signals

 

[DANSGONEFISHING]

I stand corrected.

 

[Deepline]

What is the correct way to dispose of expired flares ??

 

[fishnjoe]

Anybody know why they make the new flares longer?

The flares I have now are held inplace with a strap attached to the rear of the gun and fit nicely in a plastice waterproof case. The new ones are too big to fit inside the case with the gun.

 

[Gaucho]

Boaters world had the 4 pack on sale yesterday for 13.99. I think the sale ends today.
Took a look at the expire date on it and its June 2011.

 

[MakoMike]

You guys would have a heart attack if you had to buy the SOLAS flares!

 

[ReelTime]

Flareup

The standard 12 gauge flares are just as effective as throwing a lit piece of terd up in the air by hand. Nothing like in the movies.

I haven't seen the 12g "high performance" flares at work. I have 25 mm also a 12 gauge adapter so I can rival Macy's 4th of July with my current and expired pyrotechnics. And I hardly ever go far from shore. I don't think I mind buying the extra.
vsk

 

[Fishbust]

25mm...

ReelTime wrote:
The standard 12 gauge flares are just as effective as throwing a lit piece of terd up in the air by hand. Nothing like in the movies.

I haven't seen the 12g "high performance" flares at work. I have 25 mm also a 12 gauge adapter so I can rival Macy's 4th of July with my current and expired pyrotechnics. And I hardly ever go far from shore. I don't think I mind buying the extra.
vsk

Very true.

25's are definitely the way to go. The 12's are scary when you consider your life may depend on them.

I am guilty of owning mostly the 12's.

 

[Capt. Marc]

"Anybody know why they make the new flares longer?

The flares I have now are held inplace with a strap attached to the rear of the gun and fit nicely in a plastice waterproof case. The new ones are too big to fit inside the case with the gun."

So they can sell you a nice new waterproof case?