Kayak Lights for Night Paddling
Kayak Lights for Night Paddling
Unlike many others, some people enjoy night paddling on evening summers. During the fall season, the sun set early and paddlers often encounter problems such as dark and low visibility while doing their outdoor activity.
Fortunately, the market has introduced many types and brands of kayak lights which are designed to help people see through the dark whether they are paddling on an afternoon or in the moonlight.
Importance of Kayak Lights
Installing a kayak light will not only help paddlers be prepared on a night kayaking but it will also help them navigate through places that they are not well familiar with. For night paddling, you will need a white light that can be used to show direction and signal your location from other paddlers.
Any kayak light must be waterproof so that it can still function even if undesired circumstance may arise. Also, make sure that you have installed fresh new batteries for your kayak lights or make sure that it is fully charged before going on a trip.
A deck light is one of the most recommended white light for kayaks. A steady white light can be seen in any direction so it is your best chance of being located in the event that you get lost. Deck lights or anchor lights are usually paired with Navigation Lights (red and green lights).
Although not required for a small vessel such as kayak, these navigation lights can enhance your visibility when in the waters.
Types of Kayak Lights
There are several types of kayak lights available in the market. If you are planning on being on the waters, then you should be able to know the different kayak lights you might need on your water adventure.
Hand-held Light
A hand-held light is commonly required by the Coast Guard. This type of light should be able to give a 360-degree arc. It should also be waterproof so that they can still function even when splashed by waters during paddling. You should make sure that your light is flashing so you can easily reach for it when you need them.
Mounted Light
A great option when night paddling is a mounted light. This type of light can help you enhance your visibility at all times. Using this will also help alert other boaters of your whereabouts and can prevent collision with other boats.
This light can be easily installed or mounted on the deck of your kayak. Since this type of light can be used hands-free, you will not need to worry about searching and reaching for them when you need them.
Top 3 Kayak Lights for Night Paddling:
1. YakAttack VISICarbon Pro Mighty Mount and Geartrac Ready Light
No products found.
If you want to enhance your chance of being visible both day and night, then the YakAttack VISICarbon Pro Light is a great choice for your kayak activity. This light is made specifically to meet the lighting needs of both recreational paddles and serious kayakers.
This light is lightweight, portable, and low drag. It has an ultra-thin mast with a recognizable flag that assures excellent performance. This YakAttack VISICarbon Pro can be mounted on a flush mount rod holder.
It also meets the USCG requirements. It has a Silent Snap feature that gives a secure attachment and enables the user to remove the flag in just seconds.
PROS
Very nice flag
Light is very bright
Waterproof
CONS
A bit expensive
2. Kayalu WaterTorch 360° Kayak Light
No products found.
The Kayalu WaterTorch Kayak Light is a portable deck light with 360-degree feature with a submersible handheld torch and suction cup base. It is 100% made of high-quality marine materials and guaranteed waterproof. This light can be submerged to water up to 300 meters below sea level.
It comes with a rugged body and the lens housing is crush-proof which means it can withstand direct and strong impact under harsh circumstances. The Kayalu 360 degree water torch comes with a White Lexan diffusion lens which is produced by Tektite Industries exclusively for Kayalu Gears.
This Kayalu WaterTorch can function up to 100 hours with the use of a single set of three AA alkaline batteries and the LED life is 10,000 hours.
PROS
Very bright
Can be seen at a distance
Very sturdy
CONS
Short
A bit expensive
3. Kayalu Kayalite Kayak Light
No products found.
The Kayalu Kayalite Kayak Light is a top performance and portable light for kayak, canoe, scull, inflatable, and more. It produces very bright illumination from its LED light and its white-titanium diffusion lens. It has a lifespan of 100 hours from three AA batteries which are included when your purchase this Kayalu Kayalite Kayak Light.
This kayak light is made of reliable materials and marine-guaranteed components. It is submersible in water up to 300 meters. It comes with a steel clip and bungee tension cable which is coated in nylon. It can be attached to a pad eye or eyelet on the deck.
If you are taking kayak paddling especially at night, then this light will not disappoint you as they are professionally designed to guarantee the safety and offer long-lasting light for paddling.
Unlike other kayak lights, this one from Kayalu is indestructible and loss-proof as it is capable of taking a strong blow even if you will smack it with a paddle. It can provide 100 hours of operation with the use of three AA alkaline batteries. For pro paddlers, this light is a great choice for you.
PROS
High visibility
Submersible up to 1000 feet
360-degree navigation
Tension cable
Easy to install
Waterproof
CONS
Height not adjustable
CONCLUSION
Night paddling in your kayak is one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences especially during warm summer nights where you can catch the sunset. However, before going through your night adventure, it is important to ensure safety first.
You can achieve this by having a durable and reliable kayak light. The market is offering a wide range of kayak lights with different features. Make sure to select the best of them by doing some readings on how each product works and how it can match your lighting needs.
