Cruisers Forum
 


Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 22-03-2011, 08:27   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
Send a message via Skype™ to ProtectTheOcean
Non-pistol flare launcher

I'm bringing this over from another thread to avoid further insult and attack.

The idea is to figure out a way to launch a flare without a pistol, so that when one arrives in countries that consider them to be a gun and contraband, one isn't out that important piece of safety equipment. I'd suggested something like a clay pigeon launcher.

Quote:
Originally Posted by muskoka View Post
The thread is "has anyone actually sailed with firearms?" - not launching flares. Or turnips.

Some suggestions, launch them with surgical cord or bungee run inside a piece of ABS plumbing pipe. They need fins or a drogue attached or they'll just tumble in flight. And no, the velocity won't put the flare out as they're intended for use in extremely high winds with heavy salt spray. Happy now?
The tumbling issue is a good point. The clay pigeon launcher idea might have allowed them to be hurled spinning laterally, but the tube idea, while more concise, wouldn't allow that. Also, a lit flare could be hard on PVC tube... and I don't really think that a bungee or that sort of thing would provide sufficient energy to launch a flare very far.

Any other thoughts?
ProtectTheOcean is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 08:38   #2
Registered User
 
muskoka's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 / Hatteras 48
Posts: 775
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Good idea to start a new thread.

Attach it to an arrow and use a bow or spear gun. But I reckon a slingshot made with surgical tubing and a long drogue attached to the flare might work. You could test it with a length of plastic electrical conduit filled with sand to approximate the weight.

I've seen water balloons launched from junks using surgical tubing tied off to the boat. They could fire them pretty accurately over a good 100 meters.
muskoka is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 09:17   #3
Registered User
 
Unicorn Dreams's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Parachute flares have their own launchers, no need to jury rig stuff. Parachute flares go higher, burn brighter and longer.

Cannot imagine taping a flare to an arrow, igniting it and then holding it over my head to fire it a short distance into the air. Maybe have a burn time of10-15 seconds. Arrows do not like additional weight. A flare is really heavy compared to an arrow. Arrow 2-3 ounces, flare probably 14 oz. If the arrow didn't fold up or break, would probably just spin end over end..

Have had flare guns declared and confiscated, always returned upon clearing out. But times and rules do change...
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
Unicorn Dreams is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 09:26   #4
Registered User
 
captain465's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Boat: 43 ft Selene/Solo
Posts: 688
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Have you ever heard of "meteor flares"? Totally self contained and no launcher is neccesary.
__________________
Do not go where the path may lead.........
go instead where there is no path........
and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
captain465 is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 09:30   #5
Registered User
 
ADMPRTR's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Boat: CS36 Traditional
Posts: 551
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Quote:
Originally Posted by captain465 View Post
Have you ever heard of "meteor flares"? Totally self contained and no launcher is neccesary.
And another example:

Pride Marine [Comet Sky Lite 5029.jpg]
ADMPRTR is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:05   #6
Registered User
 
muskoka's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 / Hatteras 48
Posts: 775
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams View Post
Cannot imagine taping a flare to an arrow, igniting it and then holding it over my head to fire it a short distance into the air. Maybe have a burn time of10-15 seconds. Arrows do not like additional weight. A flare is really heavy compared to an arrow. Arrow 2-3 ounces, flare probably 14 oz. If the arrow didn't fold up or break, would probably just spin end over end...
You're probably right and I'm not volunteering to give it a go.

I had to light a handheld up at a survival at sea course and it burned for a few minutes during which I was very uncomfortable. We tried to get a handheld parachute flare for our grab bag but couldn't find any locally. I think they may be restricted.

I think I'd be most inclined to use as instructed and dispose of them when they reach their sell by date. Flares are pretty scary things.
muskoka is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:13   #7
Registered User
 
Unicorn Dreams's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

The slag dripping off flares cab do a lot of damage to people and boats when the wind shifts..
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
Unicorn Dreams is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:31   #8
Registered User
 
muskoka's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 / Hatteras 48
Posts: 775
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

There was a shocking article in YM about two years ago concerning an RYA instructor who had a handheld flare misfire backwards into his abdomen. It nearly killed him. Hopefully none of us will ever have to use one in anger.
muskoka is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:34   #9
Registered User
 
Jesse's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oro Bay Puget Sound
Boat: Irwin sloop
Posts: 407
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

There really isn't a need to launch a flare into the air, but if you feel you must, perhaps a kite?
Jesse
Jesse is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:35   #10
Registered User
 
delmarrey's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
Images: 122
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

What gets me is a lot of third world countries would not allow a gun/flares but will allow fireworks, which could be converted into explosives.

As for the flare pistol, I'd just declare it when pulling into port. If they take it away, then so be it, just buy another when you get somewhere you can have it, or try reclaiming when you leave.

Besides the new pistols are plastic. One would burn their hand, or worse, trying to use a shotgun shell in that. The cartages for the flares are self contained. The pistol is just a holder to do the launch.
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
delmarrey is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 10:48   #11
Registered User
 
Jesse's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oro Bay Puget Sound
Boat: Irwin sloop
Posts: 407
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

delmarrey
I watched a video of someone firing a shotgun shell in a plastic flare gun as an experiment. The results were graphic, violent, and predictable. He was smart enough to tie it to a tree instead of holding it though.
Jesse
Jesse is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 11:12   #12
Registered User
 
Unicorn Dreams's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clear Lake Marine Services - Seabrook, Texas
Boat: Gulfstar, Mark II Ketch, 43'
Posts: 2,359
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Want to talk video's watch this highly intelligent individual

That looked lie a 25mm instead of a 12 gauge.
__________________
Formerly Santana
The winds blow true,The skies stay blue,
Everyday is a good day for SAILING!!!!
Unicorn Dreams is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 11:41   #13
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Coastal VA
Posts: 130
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Quote:
Originally Posted by delmarrey View Post
What gets me is a lot of third world countries would not allow a gun/flares but will allow fireworks, which could be converted into explosives....



There are plenty of self-contained flares that launch from their own non-gun-style straight tubes. These, ironically, can easily be used to shoot the projectile flare in any direction, and with a little practice, probably just as accurately as the gun-style launchers.
Whimsy is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 13:03   #14
Moderator Emeritus
 
roverhi's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
Send a message via Yahoo to roverhi
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

What countries don't allow pistol flare guns?? This is the first time I've heard of a problem with them.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
roverhi is offline  
Old 22-03-2011, 13:13   #15
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Coastal VA
Posts: 130
Re: Non-pistol flare launcher

Quote:
Originally Posted by roverhi View Post
What countries don't allow pistol flare guns?? This is the first time I've heard of a problem with them.
The problem is not with the flare guns. The problem is with the people who ban them...
Whimsy is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Flares for old Very Pistol? Mexico Mike Health, Safety & Related Gear 19 12-03-2015 17:21
Water Balloon Launcher Target9000 The Sailor's Confessional 3 19-05-2010 18:11
Flare and/or Flare Kit Storage off-the-grid Health, Safety & Related Gear 5 29-09-2009 08:00
Olin 25MM Flare Launcher Converter Notice svHyLyte Health, Safety & Related Gear 0 01-07-2009 07:45
Flare Gun, flares and smoke flare on a plane? sgtPluck Health, Safety & Related Gear 3 27-08-2008 17:16

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:05.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.