jmilanette
Junior Member
Does anyone have a suggestion as to disposing of flares that are over date? I have at least half a dozen flares that are 5 years or more out of date. Thanks in advance.
over date flares
- Thread starter jmilanette
- Start date
Rhynie
Member III
A few years back on the lake at night, there was a radio call that said that a boat in XX location was disposing of old flares with CG permission. They were not far from us and we saw them, glad we had the radio on and heard the call though, Just a thought, not a bad idea for practice.
Patti Wood
Member I
flares
I have some of those on my boat too. I asked at West Marine when I bought new flares, and they said you can take your old ones to any fire station and they'll take 'em off your hands.
I was going to do that, then thought I'd just keep the expired flares on board, for backup to my new ones. If you do end up lighting some off, make sure you don't let them fall onto your (or someone else's!) deck - can make a nasty scorch mark in the gelcoat!
I have some of those on my boat too. I asked at West Marine when I bought new flares, and they said you can take your old ones to any fire station and they'll take 'em off your hands.
I was going to do that, then thought I'd just keep the expired flares on board, for backup to my new ones. If you do end up lighting some off, make sure you don't let them fall onto your (or someone else's!) deck - can make a nasty scorch mark in the gelcoat!
Shamwari
Please Contact Admin.
West Marine Shoot-off
This year we went to a sponsored (by West Marine) shoot-off of expired flares they had collected over the year. There were about a dozen people and we got to shoot off over 100 flares of various shapes and sizes. It was held in Blaine Harbour and was well worth attending as it showed what various flares would do. I don't think any of the flares that you pull the string on worked, and another popular brand was almost invisible from the shore when activated on a boat they had in the harbour. The smoke ones were far and away the most visible.
The other thing to note was that the hand held flares dripped very hot materials and you wouldn't want them to fall on your deck.
We had taken all our outdated flares to shoot them off, but finding most of the old flares would still work we decided to keep them as backups.
Even with the whole thing publicized for a few weeks it was funny to watch how many boats came to the "rescue" of the boat in the harbour that was demonstrating how easily it would be to not see a flare set off during the daytime.
The West Marine rep stated that there was a strobe that flashed SOS that could be used in place of flares.
This year we went to a sponsored (by West Marine) shoot-off of expired flares they had collected over the year. There were about a dozen people and we got to shoot off over 100 flares of various shapes and sizes. It was held in Blaine Harbour and was well worth attending as it showed what various flares would do. I don't think any of the flares that you pull the string on worked, and another popular brand was almost invisible from the shore when activated on a boat they had in the harbour. The smoke ones were far and away the most visible.
The other thing to note was that the hand held flares dripped very hot materials and you wouldn't want them to fall on your deck.
We had taken all our outdated flares to shoot them off, but finding most of the old flares would still work we decided to keep them as backups.
Even with the whole thing publicized for a few weeks it was funny to watch how many boats came to the "rescue" of the boat in the harbour that was demonstrating how easily it would be to not see a flare set off during the daytime.
The West Marine rep stated that there was a strobe that flashed SOS that could be used in place of flares.
Be Careful
On the 4th of July a few years ago, I guess me and the Captain (Morgan) might have gotten a little too familiar and I decided to shoot off an expired Paines-Wessex parachute flare.
If you've never fired one of those babies, a little practice couldn't hurt. I was standing on the transom platform of my anchored boat, carefully pointing the thing skyward and downwind; when I popped the trigger lever, that thing kicked like my old 12 gauge and the flare shot up but almost sideways from where I was aiming. Fortunately, the breeze carried it away from nearby boats.
The thing stayed lit for what seemed to be a very long time. I guess it was pretty much an eternity when you're holding your breath hoping it doesn't land on someone else's boat.
I'm jes' sayin'.
On the 4th of July a few years ago, I guess me and the Captain (Morgan) might have gotten a little too familiar and I decided to shoot off an expired Paines-Wessex parachute flare.
If you've never fired one of those babies, a little practice couldn't hurt. I was standing on the transom platform of my anchored boat, carefully pointing the thing skyward and downwind; when I popped the trigger lever, that thing kicked like my old 12 gauge and the flare shot up but almost sideways from where I was aiming. Fortunately, the breeze carried it away from nearby boats.
The thing stayed lit for what seemed to be a very long time. I guess it was pretty much an eternity when you're holding your breath hoping it doesn't land on someone else's boat.
I'm jes' sayin'.
CaptDan
Member III
Truth is, if flares are kept high and dry, they're reliable for years. But expired flares can earn you a USCG 'fix-it' if you're ever boarded for a safety visit.
However, you're in full compliance if you keep your expired flares in a seperate marked container, and your unexpired units in theirs. That way you keep the Coasties happy while also having an ample arsenal aboard should the need ever arise.
Capt Dan G>E35II "Kunu"
Bill Sanborn
Member III
Skyblazers
My experience with Skyblazers is that most of them don't work beyond the expiration date. This was true on at least 3 different batches.
My experience with Skyblazers is that most of them don't work beyond the expiration date. This was true on at least 3 different batches.
Tom Metzger
Sustaining Partner
CaptDan
Member III
I should've been more clear. I was referring to Winchester/Olin pistol flares.
Embarrasing story:
Many years ago I got the urge to fire off a set of flares that were more than 5 years old. It was during a windless July 4th evening, and I took aim over a clear body of water. Each of the 5 flares I launched fired reliably, falling right where I wanted 'em to.
Long story short, the local gendarmes appeared, and fortunately for me they had a sense of humor. They requested that my wife 'escort the little boy in the house and keep him out of trouble.'
Capt Dan G>E35II "Kunu"
