Author Topic: PFD and lights for a SUP?  (Read 30570 times)

BSLNoel

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PFD and lights for a SUP?
« on: July 25, 2011, 07:39:45 AM »
Got an escort home from the police last night while out for a sunset paddle.  Said I had to have a coast guard approved PFD and lights on my board.  Leash would not suffice.  Anyone ever deal with the light issue?  I have a GoPro mount on the front, maybe I can mount something there. 

What are the smallest approved PFDs I can bungee on the front?

TIA


chasesurf

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2011, 07:55:59 AM »

chrislee

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2011, 09:32:04 AM »
Here in AZ, we were told by the fuzz that the board serves as a PFD as long as you have a leash on. Any kids riding have to have a PFD though. I'd look and see if you can make that work. I'll take a leash anyday.

And on the light, we purchased a Kayalite Deck, Anchor and Stern Light for $40. I put a zip tie on the leash plug and it attaches perfectly to it. Was thinking of redoing the leash cord so I could just use that.
http://www.kayalu.com/k/kayalite-portable-LED-kayak-light-boat-light-deck-anchor-stern-light.php

Did see after that REI has a light with a suction cup base that I've seen on a lot of the sculls out there. Might grab one of these too.
http://www.rei.com/product/722830/paddlers-supply-company-led-kayak-deck-light-with-suction-cup-base

johnrg

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2011, 09:55:42 AM »
Get a headlamp such as a petzl.... regs seems to call for a minimum of a light you can switch on prior to a collision....
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/index.php?pageName=Rule25

John

fms

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Re:
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2011, 11:05:22 AM »
Hey BSLNoel , check out www.wholesalemarine.com as they are a good source for suction cup mounted bow an stern lights .

freetobeme

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2011, 11:51:17 AM »
good topic -  I tend to go out for evening paddles and have returned to the launch well past sunset.  I do wear a waist belt pfd and I do carry a headlamp in my backpack but actually have not tested it yet.  I might consider one of these stern lights especially if it can be taken off easily and wont mess with my board. I wonder if any can mount to a deck pad as my SB SUPer is completely covered.  One of these Could prove worthy for night fishing. 
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear" - George Addair

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maui_husky

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2011, 02:01:23 PM »
The suction cup bow light I have is great ($25). It has strobe settings and acts as a flashlight when removed from the mount. One important distinction is that the coast guard requires the light has to be visible 360 degrees. A directional headlamp may not be visible to craft outside of your view.

JC50

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2011, 02:16:49 PM »
Suggest you don't get anything for the bow of board; it's too low to water to be of any use and will ruin your night vision, even if red/grn suction cup battery powered type, effectively being more dangerous than no light at all.

Most laws for human-powered vessels just require a light, any light. Suggest a headlamp with red lens flip cover so you can put on high white beam when you see/hear a boat coming near and use red lens when you need close light. Or, a little maglite with lanyard for around your neck (where you can attach the whistle). You could duct-tape a cheap PFD to rear of board and that should satisfy that requirement. Above all, act friendly and compliant when confronted and that usually goes a long way with the authorities...usually. When it doesn't, not much to do but paddle in, and go out the next night with a different shift.

pdxmike

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2011, 02:39:32 PM »
That's my understanding, too. JC50.  I looked it up a while ago.  The only thing you need extra for being legal at night is a light (mine's white, which I believe is required, but I'm not sure) that can be turned on to make yourself visible to other traffic.  There's no requirement for a light that stays on. 

Of course if I were maui_husky out paddling in Lake Union at night, with boats going every direction, airplanes landing, etc. I'd want a suction cup light.  Some kayakers use shielded ones that aren't visible 360 degrees, to protect their night vision.  SUPs can use a shielded or directional light also, since it's not required (but you still need the light that you can turn on and aim at traffic when necessary). 

jdmotes

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2011, 03:52:41 PM »
 Had my first run-in about the PFD/SUP thingy last weekend. We were getting all the family members out on the ICW at a local boat ramp when (after about and hour of paddling) we were approached by an officer of the FWC. I have to admit the guy was really cool about it all and simply asked if we knew that SUPs were classified as "vessels" and therefore were exposed to the same rules as small boats, canoes and kayaks. No tickets were handed out, not even a formal warning, but he did advise us that they were going to start enforcing the rules on SUPs. We just packed it up for the day and thanked him for being so nice about it...
 I did a lot of searching this board on PFD info/design and ended up buying 3 of the Stearns Belt PFD's at BassPro.com. They were around $59 each; plus they had the whistles for another $3.50, or so (don't forget the whistles-vbg)... Next time we paddle in the bays, rivers, or ICW of Florida, we'll be LEGAL...       Paddle on,    JD
JD Motes/Water Bound Sports LLC
Florida; Ga; S.C; Sales Rep for:
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maui_husky

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2011, 06:04:59 PM »
Nighttime paddling is very cool. Get out and try it!

more specifics on the regs:

After some research, the 360 rule I saw was taken from Texas regs (maybe other states, too). Washington has no specific laws beyond USCG's.

Texas:
"All vessels including motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, rubber rafts, or other vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight visible all around the horizon from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility. "

National USCG regulations:
"Vessels under oars may display the lights prescribed for sailing vessels, but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision"

"sufficient time" : One thing to consider if you're paddling around boat traffic at night is that they can come up on you from behind pretty quickly (esp. if they don't see you). I started putting my light on the back for this reason (btw/ it is annoying to look at on the bow). Unless you're constantly looking back or trusting boaters to be vigilant, I wouldn't count on having sufficient time to turn on your light.

One way or another, do what's safe and have fun.

hbsteve

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2011, 06:48:04 PM »
When I rowed on San Francisco Bay starting in the dark, I wore a bike tail light fastened to the back of my hat.  Plus, I wore those lighted arm bands that runners can wear.  These have different settings, from always on to flashing.  Be seen. 

juandoe

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2011, 07:43:41 PM »
I got a few of these off of Steepandcheap.com just for this purpose.  Still haven't tried them yet.
http://www.departmentofgoods.com/princeton-tec-pilot-led-light
« Last Edit: July 25, 2011, 08:33:03 PM by juandoe »

pdxmike

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2011, 08:24:35 PM »
maui_husky--you're right about not trusting boaters to be vigilant.  In the Willamette last summer, this guy hit an island:

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=8996.0

I figure that if someone can not notice an island, they might not notice me.

surfcowboy

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Re: PFD and lights for a SUP?
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2011, 09:32:18 PM »
Wait? Where are the guys crying about having to do this?

Are we growing up and realizing that we have a responsibility to be safe out on the water? Or is this one just so obvious even the purists can't argue it?

Surely not. ;)

Been out of the country, good to be home and good to see you guys on here.

I stuff a couple of light sticks in my PFD for if I'm caught out late so folks can hopefully not run me over.

 


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