MacGregorSailors.com

As I was working on my galley mod concept, I came across my safety equipment; and noticed that my flares were out of date. Never really liked flares anyway, so searched for an alternative. Wound up picking up a LED version that flashes SOS. To be legal, it has to have batteries in it when you're boarded. It's fairly eye piercing in low light. Comes with the daytime flag and whistle. I figure it will take several cycles to pay for itself versus incendiary flares, but, if my wife or kids (or grandkids) have to hold it up while I'm troubleshooting a fuel leak - it might be worth it.




Anybody else found a flare alternative that they like?

In my 17ht year of Mac ownership and got tired of dealing with tons of out of date flares. I went this battery/LED route last time. But I keep a few out of date flares and a flair gun just for "giggles" and worst case scenarios (mostly hypothetical)---nautical or otherwise...if you catch my drift.

If shooting off out of date flares on the 4th was legal I would never complain!

Herschel, sent you a PM let me know if you received it. I don't seem to be able to get admin to change my email address associated with this web site. Have emailed admin multiple times but no results. If you receive the PM then just email me back at my address in the PM.
Dave

1st Sail wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:22 pm If shooting off out of date flares on the 4th was legal I would never complain!

Herschel, sent you a PM let me know if you received it. I don't seem to be able to get admin to change my email address associated with this web site. Have emailed admin multiple times but no results. If you receive the PM then just email me back at my address in the PM.
Dave

No, Dave, PM did not come through, yet. If it is about waxing vs. painting, feel free to post it on that thread. I haven't started my "wax a little, polish it off, a little each week" plan, yet.

1st Sail wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:22 pm If shooting off out of date flares on the 4th was legal I would never complain!

Herschel, sent you a PM let me know if you received it. I don't seem to be able to get admin to change my email address associated with this web site. Have emailed admin multiple times but no results. If you receive the PM then just email me back at my address in the PM.
Dave

Dave,

If you press the blue “firstsail” above your captain status, then go to the upper right corner and press firstsail again,you will come to the user control panel. Go to “board preferences” Press “edit account settings” and change your e-mail. If that does not work, check with Russ.but let me know first.

Ray

I sell a flare refurbishment kit that is much cheaper than buying new flares and has passed CG inspections

250ml MEK
Black Sharpie
Steady hand

My only shore sailing is within 6 miles of aCG station, and with a float plan filed, flares will be way down my list

Catigale wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:09 am I sell a flare refurbishment kit that is much cheaper than buying new flares and has passed CG inspections

250ml MEK
Black Sharpie
Steady hand

My only shore sailing is within 6 miles of aCG station, and with a float plan filed, flares will be way down my list

What is MEK and Sharpie? Is MEK glue?

Methyl Ethyl Ketone. Real nasty stuff. Can’t even buy it in the usual places any more.

what does MEK have to do with sharpie? does sharpie have MEK?

Are we supposed to mix the MEK with the ink in our sharpie?

I know you're pulling my anchor chain but, for some reason, I'm gonna give it a shot...

Rub off the old date with the MEK, then write a new (unexpired date) on the flares with the sharpie and steady hand.

How's the ballast gage coming along?

Sadly electronic flares still not a legal substitute for pyrotechnic flares in Australia yet...…….

Is the US the only place you can use them?

DownSouth

The package says "meets USCG requirements...", so probably only US coast guard jurisdiction areas.

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:51 pm I know you're pulling my anchor chain but, for some reason, I'm gonna give it a shot...

Rub off the old date with the MEK, then write a new (unexpired date) on the flares with the sharpie and steady hand.

How's the ballast gage coming along?

Oh, I get it now. You use the MEK to erase the old date on the flare.

I thought Catigale was providing some new recipe for making flares like:

Take your sharpie and open it so you can get to the ink liquid and then pour in 250 ML of crazy glue
(I thought Methyl Ethyl Ketone was crazy glue )
- and then a big flaming explosion of fire will come out of the end of your sharpie making a nice flare to save you in the ocean but you need a steady hand to hold the flare so you don't burn yourself.

Sounds pretty dumb now.

oh well

BOAT wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 7:24 am
I thought Catigale was providing some new recipe for making flares like:

Take your sharpie and open it so you can get to the ink liquid and then pour in 250 ML of crazy glue
(I thought Methyl Ethyl Ketone was crazy glue )
- and then a big flaming explosion of fire will come out of the end of your sharpie making a nice flare to save you in the ocean but you need a steady hand to hold the flare so you don't burn yourself.

Actually, if you lit a sharpie full of MEK, it would probably attract a lot of attention. Of course the screaming from the burning molten plastic running down your arm would eliminate the need for a whistle, bell, or horn, too. Maybe you're onto something.

Catigale is quite the joker, so that certainly could have been his intent.