Flare expiration date?

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Presentationrentals

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How do I know the expiration date when buying fares at boatfix?

I need to buy new flares for the 2007 boating season that starts in April in Wisconsin.

Before I found Boatfix.com I got my last set at a different site. The price seemed good but when they arrived they were only 16 months away from expiration. Since the season is short up here I only got 1 full summer out of them. So the cost per year was more expensive then going to the local high priced retail store.

If I can find them made November 1st 2006 or after I can get 3 seasons out of them.

Looking at Orion 952 on page 392 of the Boatfix book for the online discounted price of $37.78.

How do I know the expiration date when buying fares at boatfix?
 
Don't forget to donate your expired flares to your local Coast Guard Auxiliary or Fire Dep't. They'll put them to good use in training and demonstrations! This has been a public service announcement from your resident Cdn Coast Guard RO. Thank you! ;o)
 
Those Coasties...always trying to save a buck or two... ;)

Les will have to answer about BF's stock, but I CAN tell you they do very honest business ad won't sell you flares that are unreasonably 'short'. If my tired memor serves me, they only have 3 years from date of manufacture.

Also, not to knock Rick's idea, which IS the best way to dispose of *excess* pyrotechnics, but your best bet is to keep them onboard in addition to unexpired ones. You'll need 'good' ones to meet carriage requirements, but the minimum is just that - minimal If it gets to the point where you need your visual distress signals, you're going to want a lot of them! (Distress communications IS something I know a thing or two about)
 
That's true Mike. Forgot about that and it's a point I make when teaching safe boating courses. Duh! [:-dunce] I think type C & D have more than a 3 yr shelf life if I'm not mistaken.
 
The expiration date is 3 years after manufacturing. The real world they last much longer. I plan to keep the old ones onboard for additional safety as suggested above by Mike.

Now if I can find some for sale that were made November 2006 or after I will be set for 3 summers.
 
For USCG approved flares, expiration is 42 months after the date of manufacture, not three years.
 
I was in Mi last weekend and bought some in Cabelas, I just went and looked at them...they already have had a birthday.[:-ashamed]That is what I get for not having my reading glasses. If you want fresh ones I think you need to shop around and check the dates with your own eyes.
Niles
 
Just a note for all Canadian boats and some of you that cruise canadian waters for extended periods.
Rick can correct any mistake I make here but,
1. A visiting US boat can use US flare requirements if the visit is less than 90 days.

2.If more than 90 days the Canadian requirements are more stringent.
A single star shell is not a flare, two stars is one flare.
My 39 footer requires me to carry 12 flares, either 24 single star shells or 12 twinstar shells.

Thre are other requrements as well.
 
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