: Hello all,

: There have been many posts here about night navigational lights for
: kayaks. I ran across these and although I have yet to try them,
: I really like this idea. There are a few different pole lights
: that I like, but this bow light gives some added visibility from
: the front where a pole light may be obscured by the paddler, and
: it also gives oncoming traffic an indication of which way to
: steer to avoid you. Here is the link (This is the site where I
: saw it first):

:
: http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_24&products_id=40

: Living on an island I boat a lot at night. When I am approaching
: other traffic at night the first thing I look for is the bow
: light to see which way they are heading so I can best steer to
: avoid them. Red means they are showing me their port side, Green
: their starboard, and both means they're coming head-on. Also
: many times white lights blend in with the lights along the
: shoreline from houses and street lights, etc. A red/green bow
: light helps you to stand out just a little more from other
: lights.

: For non-powered vessels under 20 feet in length only a white 360
: degree light is required, but a bow light would be added
: protection and gives approaching traffic added information about
: your heading. Please note that additonal lights beyond this
: would not be correct and could be confusing to other boaters.
: One white 360 and a red/green bow light is the correct way to
: identify yourself (one white 360 alone is acceptable).

: All that said, I would also like to ask has anyone tried the
: folding Scotty Sea Light? Is the mounting apparatus sturdy and
: durable? How many screws does it attach with?

:
: http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1484/Scotty-Folding-Sea-Light-with-Flag-828.html

: I'm looking for something a bit more permanent than my strap
: on/clamp on lighting. I would not be against putting a permanent
: folding light. I even wouldn't be against running a daytime flag
: although it might cause a tendency to weathercock. I often
: paddle late in the day and down here at 18 degrees lat the sun
: sets quickly. It's good to know I could just flip the light up
: if caught out later than expected instead of having to dig it
: out and rig it to the deck.

Biggest problem I have with running lights on kayaks is in any waves at all the lights won't be visible most of the time. They pretty much do nothing. At most on kayaks with tall bows the lights might be 6" above the water, on many kayaks much less. Even in dead calm water their range if very bright might be a mile or less. Also a kayak moves so slowly that other traffic will assume that you are at anchor and are incorrectly showing running lights and ignore them.

Bill H.