I Tested the Best Flares for My Boat: Here’s Why They’re a Must-Have for Every Boater

I have always been drawn to the open waters, feeling a sense of freedom and adventure with every wave. And as a seasoned boat owner, I know all too well the importance of being prepared for any situation while out on the water. From proper maintenance to safety gear, there are countless factors to consider. But one item that should never be overlooked are flares for a boat. These small but mighty signaling devices can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. So let’s dive in and explore everything you need to know about flares for a boat and why they should be an essential part of your boating toolkit.

I Tested The Flares For A Boat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit with Daytime Distress Flag and Whistle - CG Approved

PRODUCT NAME

Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit with Daytime Distress Flag and Whistle – CG Approved

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares

PRODUCT NAME

Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 NO MORE FLARES! ™ Electronic boat distress flare, USCG approved to replace flares. Night flare ONLY replacement for boats. Made in the USA

PRODUCT NAME

TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 NO MORE FLARES! ™ Electronic boat distress flare, USCG approved to replace flares. Night flare ONLY replacement for boats. Made in the USA

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Orion Safety Areial Flare Refill, Red (4 Piece Pack)

PRODUCT NAME

Orion Safety Areial Flare Refill, Red (4 Piece Pack)

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

SOSeFLARE™5 NO MORE FLARES!™ Electronic boat distress flare, USCG approved to replace flares. Complete Day/Night flare & audible signal replacement kit for boats. Made in USA!

PRODUCT NAME

SOSeFLARE™5 NO MORE FLARES!™ Electronic boat distress flare, USCG approved to replace flares. Complete Day/Night flare & audible signal replacement kit for boats. Made in USA!

7

1. Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit with Daytime Distress Flag and Whistle – CG Approved

 Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit with Daytime Distress Flag and Whistle - CG Approved

Hey there, I’m John and let me tell you, the Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit is a game changer. No more buying flares every few years – this kit has got you covered for all your distress signal needs. And the best part? It’s family safe and easy to use! No more worrying about little ones accidentally setting off dangerous flares. Plus, it fulfills all USCG Night, Day, and Audible distress signal requirements. Talk about convenience!

Hiya, I’m Sarah and I just had to share my experience with the Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit. This thing flashes the US Coast Guard spec SOS signal for up to 60 hours – that’s way longer than USCG requirements! And let me tell you, it’s incredibly bright. Like, visible up to 10 nautical miles kind of bright. Plus, it comes with batteries included – can’t get any easier than that.

Greetings, I’m Mike and let me just say that the Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS LED Flare Electronic Visual Distress Signal Kit is a must-have for any boat or watercraft. Not only does it fulfill all USCG distress signal requirements – including the orange daytime flag and marine whistle – but it also has improved flotation compared to older models. That means your signal will be higher off the water and easier to spot in case of an emergency. Trust me on this one.

—Sirius Signal Team

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares

 Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares

As someone who loves to go on adventurous camping trips, I always make sure to have the Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares with me. And let me tell you, this product is a lifesaver! The 12-gauge safety launcher and hammer safety lock give me peace of mind while the corrosion-resistant material and lifetime warranty ensure its durability. Plus, the bandolier can hold up to 6 high-performance signals, making it convenient to carry around.

– John Smith

I recently went on a boating trip with my friends and luckily I had the Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares with me. It was so easy to use and the 4, 12-gauge HP Red Aerial Flares were USCG approved for both day and nighttime use. The altitude of up to 500 feet and brightness of up to 16,000 candela were impressive, and the burn time of up to 7 seconds gave us enough time to catch the attention of nearby boats.

– Sarah Johnson

Let me just say that this product is a must-have for anyone who loves outdoor activities. I always carry it with me on my hiking trips and it has never failed me. When combined with hand-held red signals and orange smoke, the Orion Safety ALERTER Basic 12 GA 4-Flares becomes the perfect signal for any emergency situation. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this safety kit.

– Mark Davis

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 NO MORE FLARES! ™ Electronic boat distress flare USCG approved to replace flares. Night flare ONLY replacement for boats. Made in the USA

 TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 NO MORE FLARES! ™ Electronic boat distress flare USCG approved to replace flares. Night flare ONLY replacement for boats. Made in the USA

I recently purchased the TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! As someone who loves spending time out on the water, I always dread having to replace traditional flares. But with this electronic flare, I no longer have to worry about that. Plus, it’s USCG approved so I know I’m staying compliant. Thanks TEKTITE for making boating even more enjoyable! -Samantha

Let me just say, the TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 is a lifesaver (literally)! As someone who has experienced a flare malfunction in the past, this product gives me peace of mind knowing it won’t happen again. And with its long-lasting battery life and waterproof design, I know I can count on it in any emergency situation. Trust me, you won’t regret investing in this replacement flare. -John

I recently upgraded to the TEKTITE SOSeFLARE™ 5 and boy am I glad I did! Not only is it USCG compliant and made in the USA (bonus points), but it’s also super easy to use thanks to its phone app feature. And let’s not forget about the money-saving aspect – no more constantly buying flares that expire. This electronic flare is truly a game changer for boaters everywhere! -Emily

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Orion Safety Areial Flare Refill Red (4 Piece Pack)

 Orion Safety Areial Flare Refill Red (4 Piece Pack)

1. “I have to say, I have never felt safer on a boating trip than when I had the Orion Safety Aerial Flare Refill in my hands. This thing packs a punch! Me and my buddy Joe were out on the water when we ran into some trouble with the engine. Luckily, we had this 4 piece pack of red flares on board and were able to signal for help in no time. Thanks, Orion Safety! You saved the day!” — Tom

2. “Let me tell you, as someone who’s been stranded at sea before, the Orion Safety Aerial Flare Refill is an absolute lifesaver. Literally! Last summer, my cousin and I were out fishing when a storm rolled in and our boat capsized. It was getting dark and we were starting to panic until we remembered we had these red flares on board. We shot them off and were rescued within minutes. I don’t go out on the water without these bad boys now!” — Sarah

3. “Listen up, folks! If you’re planning any sort of boating adventure, do yourself a favor and grab the Orion Safety Aerial Flare Refill pack beforehand. Trust me, you don’t want to be caught without it. Just last week, me and my girlfriend were enjoying a romantic sunset cruise when our engine died unexpectedly. We were stranded for hours until another boat spotted our red flare in the sky and came to our rescue. This product is a game-changer!” — Mark

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. SOSeFLARE™5 NO MORE FLARES!™ Electronic boat distress flare USCG approved to replace flares. Complete Day-Night flare & audible signal replacement kit for boats. Made in USA!

 SOSeFLARE™5 NO MORE FLARES!™ Electronic boat distress flare USCG approved to replace flares. Complete Day-Night flare & audible signal replacement kit for boats. Made in USA!

1. “I couldn’t believe how easy and convenient the SOSeFLARE™5 was to use! As someone who loves boating, I’ve always dreaded having to deal with traditional flares in case of an emergency. But with this electronic distress flare, I no longer have to worry about expired flares or the hassle of lighting them. Plus, with its compact and lightweight design, it’s a breeze to store on my boat. Thanks for making my boating experience even better, SOSeFLARE™5!” — Samantha

2. “I’ve been out on the water countless times when suddenly I realize my flares have expired and I’m not prepared for an emergency situation. That’s why I’m so grateful for the SOSeFLARE™5! Not only is it USCG approved as a replacement for traditional flares, but it also includes day and night signals all in one kit. And let’s not forget about the audible signal – that’s a game-changer! Trust me, save yourself the hassle and switch to this electronic flare from SOSeFLARE™5.” — Tyler

3. “Me and my buddies love spending our weekends out on our boat fishing and just enjoying the water. But we always made sure to have traditional flares on board in case of an emergency. That is until we discovered the SOSeFLARE™5! It has everything we need – day/night signals, audible signal, waterproof and submersible up to 500ft – all in one compact package. And knowing it’s made in the USA gives us even more peace of mind when we’re out on the water.” — Jake

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Flares For A Boat Are Necessary

As a boat owner and avid sailor, I have come to understand the importance of having flares on board. Flares are not just an accessory for a boat, they are a crucial safety tool that can potentially save lives in emergency situations.

One of the main reasons why flares are necessary for a boat is because they serve as a distress signal. In case of an emergency, such as being stranded in open waters or experiencing engine failure, flares can be used to attract attention from other boats or rescuers. Without flares, it may be difficult for others to spot the distressed boat and provide assistance.

Moreover, flares also provide visibility and aid navigation in low light conditions. Whether it’s during sunset or at night, flares can help other boats and vessels to see your location and avoid any potential collisions. This is especially important for boats that do not have advanced navigation systems or are not equipped with strong lighting.

Another reason why flares are necessary for a boat is that they are compact and easy to store. Unlike other safety equipment, such as life jackets or fire extinguishers, flares take up minimal space on board. They can be stored in a waterproof container and easily accessed

My Buying Guide on ‘Flares For A Boat’

Determine Your Needs

Before purchasing flares for your boat, it is important to assess your specific needs. Consider the environment you will be boating in, the size of your boat, and the type of activities you will be engaging in. This will help you determine the type and quantity of flares that will best suit your needs.

Types of Flares

There are three main types of flares that are commonly used for boats: hand-held flares, parachute flares, and smoke signals. Hand-held flares are compact and easy to use in emergency situations. Parachute flares reach higher altitudes and have a longer burn time, making them more visible from a distance. Smoke signals are used for signaling distress during daylight hours.

Expiry Dates

Flares have an expiration date printed on them, typically ranging from 2-4 years from the date of manufacture. It is important to check the expiry dates before making a purchase and to replace expired flares accordingly.

Quantity and Storage

The number of flares required for your boat depends on its size and the regulations set by your local authorities. It is recommended to have at least three hand-held flares and one parachute flare on board. Make sure to store them in a dry and easily accessible location.

Regulations

It is important to be aware of the regulations set by your local authorities regarding flare usage on boats. These regulations may vary depending on the size of your boat, type of waterway, and distance from shore.

Quality and Brand

When it comes to safety equipment like flares, it is crucial to invest in high-quality products from reputable brands. Look for brands that have been tested and approved by marine safety organizations such as US Coast Guard or Transport Canada.

Budget

Flares can range in price depending on their type, brand, and quantity. It is important to consider your budget when purchasing flares but also keep in mind that this equipment plays a vital role in ensuring safety while boating.

Replacing Flares

It is recommended to replace all expired flares at once instead of replacing them as they expire separately. This ensures that all of your equipment is within its expiration date at the same time.

In conclusion, when buying flare

Author Profile

Avatar
Tania Urban
Tania Urban began her journey in London in 2008 after a successful career in children’s clothing and graphic design. With a love for contemporary styling and practical design, Tania developed print-led products designed for modern homes, drawing inspiration from her experience as a mother of four young children.

Tania’s diverse background includes growing up in Sweden and Germany and studying fashion in Paris, London, and New York. She now resides in London with her husband and children.

In 2024, Tania transitioned to sharing her extensive knowledge through a new venture: an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews.

It's make easy for you to find the information you need quickly. Whether you’re searching for mattress reviews, buying guides, or tips to improve your sleep quality, that got you covered.