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 Outdated flares really don't work...		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Initially Posted - 01/22/2013 :  18:12:07  Show Profile
I forgot to post this after New Years, but I just minutes ago cleared most of the really old flares out from my boat. Except for the SOLAS parachute flares...

Anyway, New Years Eve I donned my tux and in true Bond fashion I put three pull type hand held flares in my breast pocket. Near midnight, my date and I walked to the municipal marina dock and its fishing pier. All three failed to fire.

Yes Dorothy, those expiration dates really do mean something.

sten
DPO "Zephyr" '82 C25 SR FK #3220
SV "Lysistrata" '73 C&C39 - Dunedin FL
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts
Response Posted - 01/22/2013 :  19:03:23  Show Profile
Ya, I have several expired ones that are splitting down the sides--doesn't look like a good sign. The only place I've found where I can legally dispose of them is a state office about 20 miles from here.
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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts
Response Posted - 01/23/2013 :  15:47:21  Show Profile
Disposal is a problem, I have some with expiration dates in the 1980's.
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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts
Response Posted - 01/23/2013 :  18:07:22  Show Profile
I had heard that my local fire department could dispose of them, but when I asked at the fire station, they declined. I tested 3 - 500 foot rocket flares and 3 - 1500 foot rocket flares that were 5 years old, and only one of them worked down an old woodchuck hole in the woods!

One of six!

Got new ones on the boat now.
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts
Response Posted - 01/26/2013 :  17:34:48  Show Profile
We did a flare demo with the Power Squadron (we got a permit from the Marine Patrol) and most of us were surprised how many dead flares we had. Some worked fine, others burned a little bit then went out and others just crumbled.
One of the guys had a flare launcher that had apparently been recalled - you couldn't open it up to put a flare into it! The latch would not allow you to open it. Lot of good that would do you <i>Out There</i>....
Which reminds me - I need a new set as mine just expired in November.
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Response Posted - 01/26/2013 :  19:53:57  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Voyager</i>
<br />...
One of the guys had a flare launcher that had apparently been recalled - you couldn't open it up to put a flare into it! The latch would not allow you to open it. Lot of good that would do you <i>Out There</i>....
Which reminds me - I need a new set as mine just expired in November.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My boat came with the same defective gun. I discovered that shortly after I got my boat. Mfr sent me a replacement. He should do some Google searching for info.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 01/27/2013 :  11:49:03  Show Profile
Many sources knowledgeable in the field say that keeping your most recently expired set until your current set expires is safe and reasonable. They will probably work, but don't depend on them. Many medications expiration dates are set by determining when potency falls below 90%, but they will still usually do the job. Flares probably have some parallel reliability and explosives stability standards.
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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts
Response Posted - 01/27/2013 :  22:04:51  Show Profile
Check your KI pills too. They have a habit of going yellow over the years. If you are in humid areas, potassium iodate is more stable. Sailing off the southern California coast, these are kinda important to have.
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts
Response Posted - 01/30/2013 :  08:26:28  Show Profile
I always fire mine on July 4th
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.