NYCkayaker Kayak nav lights

[Erik Baard]

Geoff et al,

Sorry to be delayed in responding, but I'm informed that some mobile phone
email software screws things up for the list works and forces our generous
list admin to correct it manually and I'm ignorant about tech fixes on my
end. So from a laptop...

The soft, black NavLite packaging I mentioned is the one Steve mentions. I
find it inadequate, and the solution I mentioned earlier in this thread
might prove better. Here are my reasons:

1) The plastic divider falls out easily. Public programs must attach and
detach lights frequently because they can get damaged or stolen if left on
boats constantly. After a few months many of the dividers go missing.

2) From a higher elevation the red and green lights are visible
simultaneously -- I've checked this myself from other vessels and piers.
Seeing both lights at once isn't as easy for a fellow boater to process.

3) On many boats it's not easy to keep the NavLite securely in place and
centered. It flops a lot.

4) The complete light tube, entirely unshielded, emits more light because it
also reflects off the surface of the boat. The LIC Community Boathouse fleet
is comprised of yellow boats so the effect is especially pronounced. But
wet, smooth-surfaced boats might also cast greater glow with the light
unshielded.

5) A kayak with lights on separate sides, just below the gunwale, simply
looks more like a standard boat.

6) Putting the lights on deck lines isn't a big engineering task. The lights
have two little slots designed to take straps and a small hole at the end
for a narrow line (see photo here:  ) so it's just a matter of loop and
wrap. About 20 seconds per light for each use.


I agree with Steve that an elevated light is also great, especially on a
life jacket because...well, under some circumstances you might not have a
boat. But a white light on the stern deck has value. Ralph can correct me if
my memory is wrong on this (always a good possibility), but I think the
tests those years ago showed that reflection off the stern deck increased
visibility more than elevated lights.

In any case, just having the lights makes your night safer! Enjoy!

Best regards,

Erik



On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 12:31 PM, Geoff K. <geoffk99 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Steve,
>
> Thanks for the note. So, you find that using the standard TekTite red/green
> bow light pack, along with the white stern light is sufficient for creating
> effective visibility for your kayak at night? I ask this question because I
> would prefer a simple solution of just sticking 1 bow & 1 stern light to the
> deck with suction cups to one where I need to split up the 2 bow colors,
> lash them to my deck lines separately and then have a less than simple
> solution. If it's necessary for safety, then by all means it makes sense.
> But if the simple alternative is adequately safe, then the simple solution
> is for me.
>
> -- Geoff
>
> Steve Blumling wrote:
>
>> The TekTite Red-Green kit that I use is in a black woven nylon holder
>> which has a plastic separator between both lights and partial black cover
>> over the lights. This provides the necessary view for a boater
>> approaching/viewing my kayak from what ever direction that boater will be
>> coming from - port side red light, starboard side green light. The boater
>> now knows what side he/she is approaching me from. I also use a TekTite
>> white (standing suction cup with tether) light on my back deck as far back
>> as I can get it. With this combination I can be seen front and rear. Another
>> boater can determine which side they are approaching me from, which
>> direction is the front and rear or my boat (what direction I am traveling
>> in) and the approximate length of my boat. They should also be able to gauge
>> my speed. I think it is important to note that it is often difficult for two
>> boats approaching each other head on - collision course, to visually
>> determine each other's speed.
>>
>> Steve Blumling
>> YPRC
>> NYC WTC
>>
>>  **********************************************************************
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-- 
Erik Baard
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