Flare Kit

[Goosechaser]

I will be making my first trip to Erie in May. I am looking for suggestions on a flare kit to purchase. I am in a 620 Ranger. So I need day and night signal flares. I think? Thanks

[Snowking]

The Flares are ok'd for day or night use. You just need a three pack. They do expire so it sometimes best to buy local. You can try to find the longest before expire in the store. You also need a throwable life preserver. The square types with handles will work. I had to tell my boat insurance that I will be on the Great Lakes. You might want to check on that. Cell service is a little iffy on Lake Erie. For safety you would want a marine radio. Unlike allot of Lakes people still talk about fishing allot on the Erie marine radio.

[cooleyfarms]

Whatever you purchase, check the expiration dates. I have seen flare kits at Walmart that expire in just a couple of months from the purchase date. Most kits should expire about three years from date of purchase. You may need a complete safety kit that includes flares, whistle, distress flag, etc. Don't forget throwable flotation device as well as life jackets for all people onboard and fire extinguisher(s). The ODNR free boating manual available at sporting goods stores and local DMV license bureaus can be helpful.

[Goosechaser]

Thanks for the information. I have the throwable flotation and also marine band radio. I also have anchor and rope. I will check with insurance company.

[june9042]

I bought a set at Wal-Mart with gun once they were already expired you have to watch them. You can usually see the date on them through the package

[karloutdoors]

I bought a set at Wal-Mart with gun once they were already expired you have to watch them. You can usually see the date on them through the package

The freshest flares you will find will be good for a maximum of three years.

[island troller]

I seen flares in PC Walmart the last week of January and they expired feb. 2017. Glad I check the dates first.

[Pole setter]

I will be making my first trip to Erie in May. I am looking for suggestions on a flare kit to purchase. I am in a 620 Ranger. So I need day and night signal flares. I think? Thanks

If you have an ELECTRONIC FLARE sos distress light you will not need to purchase flares. Almost all marine stores carry them. There are youtube videos also with more information on them too.

[sherman51]

I have the flare kit that's round and holds both the hand held flares and the gun and flares. I've had it for many yrs and just replace the flares every 3 yrs.


you would be surprised at how many little things that can cause a break down on erie. I have a mercruiser and my 1st break down was a broken fan belt. finely got a tow with the help of the coast guard. the guy came back out from the dock and towed me in after dark. I asked what I owed him and he said about 60.00 so I gave him 100.00. the next time I broke down the oil line to my remote oil filter came loose and lost my oil. I was lucky because my youngest son didn't go out with us that day. I had him go buy oil and go to the ramp and get somebody to drop the oil off for us. we were only out about 6 miles in front of Geneva. you could see out boat from the harbor. he got turned down 15 times before someone agreed to drop the oil off. then I got towing insurance.

[mibek]

Nice thing about electronic distress is no hassle in Canada over flare guns