kayak safety flag and mast

[firefighter]

Hi everyone, I am thinking of making a safety mast with flag, and to which I will have an arrangement for mounting a couple of LED cycle lights. can anybody tell me the best height to go for, with a flag on top. I have a p13, and there is a blanked off screw thread just behind the seat well, which appears to be 10 tpi, and which I can match on the lathe, and maybe attach to an old fishing rod via a strongish spring, so the mast could collapse, and then rehoist in a roll over. Your views on these masts and comments would be most appreciated....Incidentally, I have two small lathes, and am a mech engineer by trade...if anyone requires any small parts turning or modifying etc...if I am capable to help out , I will.

[SEAJUNKY]

What a great offer mate. Safety flags are a great idea. Its very relevant in places that have a lot of jet ski's, About 4 to 5 feet is the norm. Personally I wouldn't bother with the lights unless I was thinking of going out after dark. Because you would then have to worry about the electrics etc,

[THURSOMAN]

Firefighter, your offer is a very kind one indeed!
As it happens I have been in touch with Ocean Kayak to see if they still make the flag pole that screws in behind the seat for my p13!
They said they no longer do.
If you could possibly send up a tread that would fit I would be very grateful!!!
Obviously I would cover your material and postage costs. That is unless you fancy coming up the the North for a spot of PROPER FISHING! LOL. Only kidding lads.
Chris

[shark]

before fitting any light to you yak please make sure you know the law and rules to putting lights on your yak doing the wrong sort of light set up may cost you or others thier lifes here are a few snap shots of the rules

Basic lighting

To avoid collisions, vessels mount navigation lights that permit other vessels to determine the type and relative angle of a vessel, and thus decide if there is a danger of collision. In general sailing vessels are required to carry a green light that shines from dead ahead to 2 points (22½°) abaft the beam on the starboard side, a red light from dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side and a white light that shines from astern to two points abaft the beam on both sides. Power driven vessels, in addition to these lights, must carry either one or two (depending on length) white masthead lights that shine from ahead to two points abaft the beam on both sides. If two masthead lights are carried then the after one must be higher than the forward one.[2]

[edit] Lights of special significance

In addition to red, white and green running lights, a combination of red, white and green Mast Lights placed on a mast higher than all the running lights, and viewable from all directions, may be used to indicate the type of craft or the service it is performing. See "Quick Guide" in external links.

* Ships at anchor display one or two white anchor lights (depending on the vessel's length) that can be seen from all directions. If two lights are shown then the forward light is higher than the aft one.

* Boats classed as "small" are not compelled to carry navigation lights and may make use of a handheld torch.

[gissmo11]

we had a flag designing comp on here not so long ago,a few of used them but they sort of faded away.think spud(george) still uses one.

[JIMBOB]

Here's mine. Hi vis vest and conduit with sola tape.

[shark]

nice one jimbob looks good i have4 a blue one with a shark on it

[JIMBOB]

Love the shark Looks like you play water polo too? ;D

[shark]

its the marker boy for the crab pots

[JIMBOB]

I knew that

[shark]

i know you did but i do need a bigger yak there is no room in case i catch a fish one day

[firefighter]

Thanks for all the info re safety flag and lights, I shall press ahead with the flag and mast, but I think I shall not bother with lights... there's always laws on these things to fall foul of...got to be for good reasons, thanks for pointing that out.....Chris, I will gladly make a thread for you , will be out of brass, but I need to know the outside dia. of whatever it is connecting to.....I have gone off the idea of using that screw thread because any strain induced by the flag, especially side to side movement, is working directly on the hull, my thoughts are to utilize the four captive screws on the back end for the rudder location, which are not in use in my case, via a bracket....another possible is to use one of the rear scupper holes, as a simple push in.....let me know your thoughts please and the size you require if I haven't put you off going down that road.....Dave Win