Flares

[Daniel]

anyone bought them online recently? can these be posted OK and where from?

[L4RRY]

There are alot of posting laws and 'problems' when it comes to flares, similarly with fireworks etc.

Many places advetise them online but won't post them. Probably best to head down to your local marine superstore or chandlery!

Bit cheaper that way as well!

[Daniel]

problem is i dont live near the solent, thus have a choice of 1 chandlery who dont have what i want, and they certianly are not cheaper!

[jyasaki]

The way I look at it, I buy new flares every three years or so. A bit more up front isn't really going to hurt that much. And since they're generally considered not exactly safe from a deliverers standpoint, shipping may be somewhat expensive.

That said, if they don't have what you want, well...


jky

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

A bit more up front isn't really going to hurt that much.

you are joking flares are expensive enough without paying over the odds. I can't think of anything I grudge paying the money for on the boat more... you never plan to use them, if you do use them there is a good chance they will not be seen, their all over in < 1 minute, and you can't even launch them when they expire. your approach of buying one or two every year is a sensible way of spreading the cost but for the new boater its painful to spend one bug lump sum like that...

[RichardB]

Originally Posted by Daniel

anyone bought them online recently? can these be posted OK and where from?

Flares cannot be posted (Royal Mail) due to their regulations but I believe (some) couriers will carry as they may have different rules. Of course, carriage is likely to be more as a result.

Here is an example:
http://www.sailgb.com/p/flares_packs/

Probably plenty others on-line so search around.

[RichardB]

Originally Posted by Polwart

...and you can't even launch them when they expire. ...

Ah, you just need to go to a few European football matches or a French farmers demo - they love em

[Orville]

I got mine from here.

Good price and shipped.

http://shop.lifejackets.co.uk/acatal...otechnics.html

HTH

Orve.

[MIRO Stewart]

Originally Posted by Daniel

problem is i dont live near the solent, thus have a choice of 1 chandlery who dont have what i want, and they certianly are not cheaper!

why dont you ask them to order what you want?!

If it were me, I'd rather pay the extra than not have any at all.

Polwart someone on shore may not see them when you are trying to "send" a distress signal but if you have VHF and call in a mayday or hit the red buton then you can use flares to identify your position o any approaching rescuers (chopper/lifeboat)

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by MIRO Stewart

Polwart someone on shore may not see them when you are trying to "send" a distress signal but if you have VHF and call in a mayday or hit the red buton then you can use flares to identify your position o any approaching rescuers (chopper/lifeboat)

to be clear I wasn't advocating not carrying flares or suggesting that they never help save a life or speed up rescue. I am sure that those who have needed them in anger think they are the best value ever. But at the chandlers about to part with £70, its not so easy. And if you add in personal flares or miniflares at 30+ quid a pop its a fairly significant hit. And all for something that makes your boat no faster, no more efficient, no more reliable or any more enjoyable to use and actually no safer (in the sense that having flares on board does not reduce the chance of being in distress). What I am saying is I have flares (that reminds me I think they may be about to need replaced) but of everything I have bought for boating its the one thing that I didn't come out the chandlers feeling pleased to have spent the money.