My New Kayak Lights

Brilliant Tote. Simple, easy, and cheap.

And portable, too!

Thanks for posting the final version.

BTW, green on port or starboard...? 

Brilliant Tote. Simple, easy, and cheap. Just my style.

BTW if you wanted to make it legal they sell a green light too. All you'd have to do is string them up next to each other.Z

Since I wear a red/white headlight I am sure I would be fine. Just switch it to white when someone is approaching.
I will get the green just to be 100% sure.

Here are the rules:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rules/Rule25.htm

Here is the location of the lights. Move your mouse over the different light titles:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/Arcs.htm

Here a couple of pics of what I made from some soft led bicycle lights.

Sorry guys, I posted the wrong pic, this is the opposite side.

Out north salmon fishing starts real early, 3:30 and on so I really liked Tot's idea about lights. Most people could see me w/ just the white one but I thought it would be really helpful if they could see which way I was going since when you're fishing off the downrigger maneuverability is really limited.



They are water proof and I liked 'em because I didn't need to do any modification to the yak to make it work. Just twist to turn 'em on, slide 'em under the straps and ready to go. BTW they are tethered. I'm sure they'd work well on most kayak's bow hatch straps too.

They were about $14 each @ REI but can't seem to find them on their site. They are made by Adventure lights and called the Lazer Stick. http://www.adventurelights.com/outdoors/products.asp?sid=5&cid=36&ccid=82&S=0&O=5

Z

Red for port /left side  Green for Stbd or right side.

Red for port /left side  Green for Stbd or right side.

Troy, it is hard to tell but that is how he has it.  In that picture, the bow is pointing towards the bottom of the picture while the stern is at the top.

Michael

Yes the picture is correct if that's the case in the picture According to USCG thats how it's supposed to if you use them.  I'm sure you've noticed lights at harbor entrences, Red lights (Port)will allways be on the Right when returning. "Red,Right,Returning"   Placing the light on the port side (Left) when leaving the harbor. 

that is how he has it.  In that picture, the bow is pointing towards the bottom of the picture while the stern is at the top.
Michael

Correctamundo!

Z

are kayaks even required to have the green/red?  i thought that was only required for power driven/sail boats and especially not for boats under 7meters in length.

i am pretty sure just a white all around light is all you need to be "legal" - brighter the better for safety.

are kayaks even required to have the green/red?  i thought that was only required for power driven/sail boats and especially not for boats under 7meters in length.

i am pretty sure just a white all around light is all you need to be "legal" - brighter the better for safety.

You're right, what I've got there is overkill. like I wrote in my post above, if other PB'rs could see which way I was going while downrigger fishing they'd be more likely to give me a little space. And it's worked out just like planned. Don't you love it when a plan comes together!

Z

yeah Z, i saw why you did it, just making sure that people don't get the wrong idea that you need red/green to be legal.  It could be useful for some people who are actively navigating around in the dark around a lot of boaters, but i prefer to be alone when i'm fishing in the dark.

Zee and I have been debating this one on NWKA.  I don't think that setup is the way to go.  Without the restrictions on viewing angle that are required on boats, that setup could be very misleading as  you could see red and green from the same angle without true differentiation of port and starboard.

-Allen

Yep, good debate. My side was that I've been using it for a while and PBrs have been giving me  more room and even clearing a path when I'm downriggin'. That was the reason I put them there so I fig. no worries.

Z

oh yeah, and since my lights aren't perfectly legal...

Z those are pretty cool but Alan does have a point the rowing shell set up using a reflective card is pretty cool not only separates but makes the lights look brighter. http://www.chesapeakerowing.com/boatlights.html