TOPIC:

My flares expire "september 2019"
You suppose that's the beginning of Sept or the end?
I'd rather wait til spring to get more, as I wont be on the lake after the 1st couple weeks of sept

It's your safety

Mike I would imagine they good through september.

Thanks jeff, kinda what I was thinking, but never hurts to gather others opinions.
I can save 6 months of wasted time by buying in the spring

I had to replace mine this year and went with the Weems & Plath Electronic Flare rather than having to keep replacing flares each year and trying to remember to check dates. Mine actually expired last year and I didnt catch it until this spring (oops). The USCG Aux officer told me to keep the expired ones on the boat as a back up but that the electronic is an acceptable replacement (you need to have the daytime distress flag also but it comes with the W&P E-E-Flare). I will just change batteries every spring and be done with it. The USCG Aux officer did say that the flares are still best since they are the easiest to see from a helicopter during search and rescue (he is one of the pilots). Note that the E-Flare does have the advantage of being able to remain floating and signaling for hours. Figure if I need it - I will set off an expired flare, use the E-Flare and use my radio distress button which is tied to my GPS. Figured I would just post what I did and what the USCG had to say about it so you can weigh options. As always - safety first.

Ha,when you go buy flares in the spring it will be the same ones that are sitting on the shelf now !!