: I kayak almost exclusively on Lake Ontario and the idea of getting run over by a speed boat isn't appealling.

First off, no experience with these. But one of the guys had a LED set that was amazingly bright. But like Bill I am of the no running light crowd. Or at least be able to switch them off! By law here we just have to have a white signal light to warn approaching boats and I prefer to just have a bright flashlight over running light.

Reasons are two fold. Like Bill I want my night vision unimpaired.

Secondly, as an avid boater for many years (power, sail and paddle) I know that running lights are not nearly as visible as most people think. As I sailor it is quite and I have time to see hear what is around me. As a power boat with an inboard roaring, glass windscreen in front of me with reflections of any lights around me, red/green running lights are not always obvious. And white anchor light just blend in with all the other street lights, cars etc.

I have never come close to running over someone but I have been surprised to see a boat 'suddenly appear' that I should have seen long before I did. But they just don't show like you may think.

Now a flashing light is much more obvious, it stands out. Waving a bright flash light is sort of like a strobe and captures my attention much quicker. So even if you use running light, remember you are low to the water and hard to see. So I would still carry a GOOD flashlight. It might save you life.