Boating Lights

[Neophyte]

Pennsylvania requires all boaters (including unpowered boats) to carry a light. I've quoted the description of what's required below.

Night Lights. Paddlers must carry a white light that is either hand-held or installed and ready to be displayed in time to avoid collision. All boats must show required lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility, such as fog and heavy rain.

I'm having a tough time figuring out what I can use to meet this requirement. Does anyone have any suggestions or want to talk about what you use for paddling during evening/night hours?

 

[memaquay]

In Canada, we must have 50 feet of floating rope (throw bag), a water bailer, and a flashlight. For regular boaters, they sell enclosed kits, a plastic bucket thing that holds the rope and the flashlight. It's just a cheap battery powered flashlight. Those three criteria must be on the water craft at all hours of the day.

However, for canoeing, I usually carry a quality throw bag, a bailer of some sort and a high quality head light. There are lots of headlights out there now that can throw a very strong beam. I'm fairly certain a quality headlight would fulfil your night light requirement.

 

[samb]

Ideally no lights at night and let your eyes get used to the dark. If I had to display the light all the time, a weak head torch worn above the brim of a hat. If needed just to avoid collision then a good head torch worn above the brim ready to switch on.. ..... Or you could go over the top as at the Dutch canoe festival

 

[Penns Woods]

It would be very rare but, I would think if I had to be on the water after dark my head lamp would qualify.

 

[Gamma1214]

Interesting. Although I don't do it, I've always thought that PA required a white stern light & the red / green navigation lights on the bow (not a bad idea if you're paddling someplace that sees powerboat traffic).

If you're just looking for a white light to satisfy the requirement as quoted, a headlamp (which I do wear after dark although it's rarely on) should do nicely. Imagine that; I'm more legal than I thought.

Wait... quoted text says "hand-held" and "ready to be displayed". Throw a small mag light in your pocket & you should be good to go.

 

[samb]

All boats must show required lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility, such as fog and heavy rain.

Difficult to paddle with a mat light in your hand

 

[scoutergriz]

Amazon sells kits with 3 bike lights and vinyl pouches to keep them dry, Tie a thick stick or chunk of broom handle across your bow cap and slide them on the ends, and put the white one on a piece of flat elastic or attach it to the back of your headlamp- you don't get quite the 270° most places call for, but It's been enough to make every cop or ranger I've bumped into happy, even when running my outboard...

 

[scoutergriz]

Interesting. Although I don't do it, I've always thought that PA required a white stern light & the red / green navigation lights on the bow (not a bad idea if you're paddling someplace that sees powerboat traffic).

If you're just looking for a white light to satisfy the requirement as quoted, a headlamp (which I do wear after dark although it's rarely on) should do nicely. Imagine that; I'm more legal than I thought.

Wait... quoted text says "hand-held" and "ready to be displayed". Throw a small mag light in your pocket & you should be good to go.

well, it COULD be hand held if needed, and it IS readily accessible, so there's that...

 

[Tryin']

These are a go-to for the MR340, which takes place on a commercially navigable waterway. You can use tape to shield the portions of the light that face or backlight the paddler.

Guardian Adventure Light

Clip onto clothes or wear as an armband Switch between Flashing and Steady-On by flipping the battery Visible from all directions (omnidirectional) Extremely durable, temperature resistant and waterproof Includes attachable Belt Clip and Stretch Arm Band High-visibility equipment is a must for a...

midwestpaddleadventures.com