Spending more time on the hook makes me more concerned of my visibility at night, esp as I may head to the foggy coast of Maine next summer. Seem to recall a very good photo of a C-Dory at night that was marked so well with reflective tape. I generally use 3M products but have heard that SOLAS Brand may be good. Also this: JVCC REF-7 Engineering Grade Reflective Tape. Any advice on adding reflective tape? Seems like "safety for cheap". Thanks
Reflective tape
- Thread starter joefish
- Start date
The photo you mention is probably our boat "Valkyrie".
In the late 80's I was on an extended cruise on my sailboat. I anchored in the Everglades very close to the Gulf and took my inflatable up the Barron River to Everglades City for dinner. The trip took longer than I intended and as i headed back to Spirit the sun went down and I had a very hard time finding my anchored boat in the dark because I hadn't turned on the anchor light.
That was not one of the highlights of my cruise, but many lessons were learned. Yep, all kinds of stoopid going on there! Anyhow, I added the reflective tape shortly after that. Also, I believe that if I ever needed a tow on a dark and stormy night Valkyrie would be much more visible with the tape.
Regards,
Nick
"Valkyrie"
In the late 80's I was on an extended cruise on my sailboat. I anchored in the Everglades very close to the Gulf and took my inflatable up the Barron River to Everglades City for dinner. The trip took longer than I intended and as i headed back to Spirit the sun went down and I had a very hard time finding my anchored boat in the dark because I hadn't turned on the anchor light.
That was not one of the highlights of my cruise, but many lessons were learned. Yep, all kinds of stoopid going on there! Anyhow, I added the reflective tape shortly after that. Also, I believe that if I ever needed a tow on a dark and stormy night Valkyrie would be much more visible with the tape.
Regards,
Nick
"Valkyrie"
Great timing for this question. I have been "reflectorizing" my new to me trailer. I have used both the stick-on, plastic red and orange, and the "DOT" red/white tape. (The kind you see on the big rig trucks, about 24" long, with red on one end and then white on the other.) The reflectiveness of the two is drastically different. And the vote goes to .........(drum roll here)....... the DOT tape by about 10 to 1. More reflective from more angle, and 10 times brighter. (If you want to see the difference, wait until half dark, and then take a picture of your trailer with both reflectors in view and turn on your flash.
So where does SOLAS come in? There are probably better experts on here than I on this subject, but from my experience, the SOLAS is the most reflective, and over a wider angle range. It seems to me to be more durable, flexible and considerable more expensive.
I have looked at my boat and wondered about putting some reflectivity on it. Wondered because not sure I like the idea of what it will look like. Wondered about any legal issue. Wondered about where to put it and how much. Wondered if it would enhance the radar reflectiveness. And wondered if I would start to look like a patchwork tape display.
It is going to be fun to follow this thread. Hope some good photos show up too.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Here is a flash shot showing the reflectiveness of the State Registration Sticker.
So where does SOLAS come in? There are probably better experts on here than I on this subject, but from my experience, the SOLAS is the most reflective, and over a wider angle range. It seems to me to be more durable, flexible and considerable more expensive.
I have looked at my boat and wondered about putting some reflectivity on it. Wondered because not sure I like the idea of what it will look like. Wondered about any legal issue. Wondered about where to put it and how much. Wondered if it would enhance the radar reflectiveness. And wondered if I would start to look like a patchwork tape display.
It is going to be fun to follow this thread. Hope some good photos show up too.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Here is a flash shot showing the reflectiveness of the State Registration Sticker.
Some of these tapes are what is called "retro-reflective," which as I understand it means they specifically reflect light back toward the source that is being shined on them (i.e. someone else's flashlight, headlights, etc.) without a lot of other scattering.
Maybe if some of them are simply "reflective," then they are the ones that are experienced as "not quite as good."
Maybe if some of them are simply "reflective," then they are the ones that are experienced as "not quite as good."
SOLAS stands for safety of life at sea...Many companies make SOLAS spec tapes--"Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A.658 (16) Annex 2. In addition, they are approved
by the U.S. Coast Guard to meet 46 CFR part 164, Subpart 164.018 requirements for Type I and II retroreflective materials"
I prefer 3 M but other companies make excellent products.
by the U.S. Coast Guard to meet 46 CFR part 164, Subpart 164.018 requirements for Type I and II retroreflective materials"
I prefer 3 M but other companies make excellent products.
Joefish,
While your at it get a radar reflector. We have a 49 dollar Davis model in our album somewhere. (Joe come in please) You can get a rail mounted for one of your roof rails they work. Make sure you have a horn to blow also. Or a VHF with a hailer horn. I'm just saying.
D.D.
While your at it get a radar reflector. We have a 49 dollar Davis model in our album somewhere. (Joe come in please) You can get a rail mounted for one of your roof rails they work. Make sure you have a horn to blow also. Or a VHF with a hailer horn. I'm just saying.
D.D.
Captains Cat
New member
dotnmarty":2vl9jlob said:
Amazon.com Marty, you don't even to leave the house!
Charlie
OK, here is a question I have had for a while but just haven't explored it. Radar that we see on the monitor is reflected signal from what the magnatron or gizmowhiz sends out. I know it shows up a metal boat from any angle, and that our "plastic" boats do not show up so well so we use a radar reflector. Way back when there was a blurb about a radar reflective USA flag. Possibly some metallic weaving in the fabric. Any chance that some of this reflective tape could/would enhance our radar reflectivity? Just a thought. What about the metallic tape that the HVAC guys use for taping heating and cooling ducts? NO NOT duck or duct tape, 
but the actual aluminum tape :thup
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
but the actual aluminum tape :thup Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Harvey,
The "radar flag" was panned big time by Practical Sailor years ago. Also, there was a rather heated discussion here on radar reflectors, as well. If I recall correctly, a specific angle of reflection is needed for one to work correctly. A flat surface won't work. I had one of the inexpensive Davis foil-on-cardboard models on my sailboat for years and it worked very well. That is based on the response I received from calling nearby CG vessels within radar range.
As far as location of reflective tape on a CD, Valkyrie sports it on the bow pulpit, bases of the rooftop handrails, radar arch and the Bimini support frame. I used the SOLAS grade tape, which only comes in white. Considering that we are only trying to make the boat more visible, I don't think I would worry about trying to signify port and starboard with their respective colors. There are a few nighttime pictures of tape location on page two of our album.
RE: reflective tape on dinghies. In the late 80's I was anchored in the Las Olas anchorage in Ft. Lauderdale and I was loudly hailed by a neighboring boat late at night, telling me that my dinghy was adrift. Actually, it was being stolen by some kids in a row boat. I had slapped some reflective tape on the inflatables sides and outboard, which made it very easy to spot with the sweep of a spotlight. I didn't know that a man-powered rowboat could get on plane!
Regards,
Nick
"Valkyrie"
The "radar flag" was panned big time by Practical Sailor years ago. Also, there was a rather heated discussion here on radar reflectors, as well. If I recall correctly, a specific angle of reflection is needed for one to work correctly. A flat surface won't work. I had one of the inexpensive Davis foil-on-cardboard models on my sailboat for years and it worked very well. That is based on the response I received from calling nearby CG vessels within radar range.
As far as location of reflective tape on a CD, Valkyrie sports it on the bow pulpit, bases of the rooftop handrails, radar arch and the Bimini support frame. I used the SOLAS grade tape, which only comes in white. Considering that we are only trying to make the boat more visible, I don't think I would worry about trying to signify port and starboard with their respective colors. There are a few nighttime pictures of tape location on page two of our album.
RE: reflective tape on dinghies. In the late 80's I was anchored in the Las Olas anchorage in Ft. Lauderdale and I was loudly hailed by a neighboring boat late at night, telling me that my dinghy was adrift. Actually, it was being stolen by some kids in a row boat. I had slapped some reflective tape on the inflatables sides and outboard, which made it very easy to spot with the sweep of a spotlight. I didn't know that a man-powered rowboat could get on plane!
Regards,
Nick
"Valkyrie"
The best radar reflectors are of a "corner cube" design. In brief, any flat surface will reflect light (radar) back to the source only when it is exactly 90 degrees to the source. A corner reflector will reflect light back to the source independent of the angle at which the reflector and source are oriented. These devices are FAR more efficient at creating a radar signature than any foil, or metal that is randomly oriented to the radar source.
As an aside, the solas tapes work on a similar principle. See this link about microprismatic technology. Unfortunately, due to the large difference in wavelength between visible light and radar, the tapes likely won't have much impact on radar signature.
As an aside, the solas tapes work on a similar principle. See this link about microprismatic technology. Unfortunately, due to the large difference in wavelength between visible light and radar, the tapes likely won't have much impact on radar signature.
I used the silver SOLAS retroreflective tape on the boat, on each side, one 2"x4" piece at the bow near the rub rail, one on each side near the stern above the rub rail, another just around the corner on the stern and one on the cabin amidships mounted vertically between the windows. For the permatrims I used diagonally striped red and silver 2" by about 8" (not SOLAS). It is mounted horizontally on the underside of the permatrim near the back edge so that when the motors are raised it is toward the "top" and can be seen easily. I am still on the original pieces, they have been on there for about 400 hours in both salt and fresh water and still look like new. I cleaned the surfaces before attaching the tape. I also put four pieces of the SOLAS tape on the dinghy, two on each side. The tape makes a great deal of difference at night and I recommend it.
Roger on "Meant to Be" said
Roger, I was wondering about that. I found it very interesting to see the results when the State Park put up the throw ring in the big bright yellow case on their dock and put reflectors on the dock ends. WOW do they shine back on the radar now. I'm sure the big yellow case is not metal, but can't say on the reflectors, but it sure puts out a nice return. Just know for sure that I can easily find them in the dark on the radar now.
Barry, Thanks for the positions report and the idea of using just the white. I'll keep that in mind as I do some more research on what I am going to do.
Nick, Thanks for the info on the pictures. I checked them out and it really does show up well. That looks as bright as the DOT tape I put on my trailer. (Which is like what is on the Dreamer trailer pictured on P-1 in this thread.)
Thanks, this is coming together great.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Roger, I was wondering about that. I found it very interesting to see the results when the State Park put up the throw ring in the big bright yellow case on their dock and put reflectors on the dock ends. WOW do they shine back on the radar now. I'm sure the big yellow case is not metal, but can't say on the reflectors, but it sure puts out a nice return. Just know for sure that I can easily find them in the dark on the radar now.
Barry, Thanks for the positions report and the idea of using just the white. I'll keep that in mind as I do some more research on what I am going to do.
Nick, Thanks for the info on the pictures. I checked them out and it really does show up well. That looks as bright as the DOT tape I put on my trailer. (Which is like what is on the Dreamer trailer pictured on P-1 in this thread.)
Thanks, this is coming together great.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Harvey,hardee":18oe0b0i said:
I can't say for certain what the tape will do for a radar return. I suspect that the microprisms are smaller than the wavelength of the radar (which are of order several cm in length). The microprisms are substantially smaller so I'm guessing they won't help much. However, this is a case where doing the experiment would be useful.