Navigation Lights for Kayaks

I was paddling out of HBO at grey light in heavy fog alone last week and one of the PBs stopped alongside me and thanked me for running full navigation lights. With the development of LED lights and great products made for yaks like the visipole II, navigation lights should be on any yak in low light or heavy fog situations. Here was a previous discussion.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20586.msg210469#msg210469

Scott

I have a full set of 'Railblaza' led Navy lights for my ai.  Seem like good lights.

Bill

I have a set on my kayak and use them in low light.  I also keep a very loud battery operated waterproof, handheld horn on board as well.

I had a couple close calls last week with the powerboats in the fog and started to considered a flag but now it seems a light would be better. Question is what color would be most noticeable in the fog? Red? Green?

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      That railblaza light is really nice.    http://www.yak-gear.com/shop/RAILBLAZA-navisafe-360-degree-LED-light

        Red / Green are navigation lights for the bow ,   Red is for Port ,    Green is for Starboard.  The white is placed at the stearn.   
     I've seen combination set ups for sailboats that have all three lights combined.

   http://www.lightupmyboat.com/navigation-lights/   

    It never ends does it...       

Red and green is only for vessels underway. On a kayak legally you would be required to run a white light 360* visible from 2 miles I belive. Either way if out after dark or early morning harbor launches I prefer a bright headlamp and a dim red head lamp. I've had kayaks with full running lights/ rigging list and it was cool for a bit but ulatimalty over kill. I used to spend summer nights on San Diego bay fishing out of my kayak, not foggy usually but lots of traffic.

360 on anchor. Electric light capable of getting others attention only requirement. Now on the AI's, since they are technically sailboats you may need nav lights while under way.

     Light configurations for sailboats less than 7 meters.    

Sailboats less than 7 meters (22.96 feet) may carry an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 6 - left picture).

If practicable, the lights prescribed for sailboats less than 20 meters should be displayed.

Watercraft under oars (such as a canoe) may display the lights prescribed for sailboats, but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (flashlight) showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 6 - right picture).

             An effective trick to help other to see you is to shine your light on the Sail.   

      That railblaza light is really nice.    http://www.yak-gear.com/shop/RAILBLAZA-navisafe-360-degree-LED-light

        Red / Green are navigation lights for the bow ,   Red is for Port ,    Green is for Starboard.  The white is placed at the stearn.   
     I've seen combination set ups for sailboats that have all three lights combined.

   http://www.lightupmyboat.com/navigation-lights/   

    It never ends does it...     

That's the set I had mounted on my AI at PIF 2013 (though not needed).  I think a set of AAA batteries is good for something like 20 hours.  Being LED, they work great with low energy use. 

I also have a portable one I picked up in the clearance area of a west Marine store.  Runs on a couple AA batteries with a magnetic & suction cup base.  Has Red, Green, White, Strobe & flashing SOS in white light.  I keep it handy for emergency use.

Hydrostar by Seattle Sports

I've got a Navilight from NRS that I use for early launches with PBs around. It has a magnetic base and sticks right through the hull. Mine has the front 2/3rds of the light split as a red/green, and the other 1/3 (which ends up facing me while I paddle) is white. The colors can be illuminated in several configurations.
This plus a white light on my rod tip I feel pretty safe, presuming the PBs are watching.

I found this video a while back and it kinda reminds me of those submersible green lights that hook up to a battery for attracting baitfish.




Don't rush things! Anything worth having is worth waiting for.

Sunday morning while we neared the island one of the AI's had a light pointed on their sail...that was really visible from a ways off.

     Light configurations for sailboats less than 7 meters.    

Sailboats less than 7 meters (22.96 feet) may carry an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 6 - left picture).

If practicable, the lights prescribed for sailboats less than 20 meters should be displayed.

Watercraft under oars (such as a canoe) may display the lights prescribed for sailboats, but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (flashlight) showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 6 - right picture).

             An effective trick to help other to see you is to shine your light on the Sail.   

Almost right Jim!  Did you mean, Figure 4 instead of Figure 6 (page 17 if you use PFD, page 40 if your looking at the brochure)  http://dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/Required_Equipment.pdf.



Also, if you have an electric motor then it's consider a Power Driven Vessels.  In which case you'll need to get the forward red and green bow light if you don't have one already.

Here's an e-mail regarding that.

In response to your email dated 12/2/11, figure 2 would be the most appropriate lighting configuration for your kayak with an electric motor. This requires “a 360 degree all-round sternlight and combination red and green sidelights.” Please contact me if you have any further questions.

Melissa R. Frago

Legislative Coordinator

Department of Boating and Waterways

2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 100

Sacramento, CA 95815-3888

 

(916) 263-8186