Flags on props?

[Dezzer]

Have I missed a new rule or police crackdown? The three boats in front of me at the ramp last weekend all had the same orange flag on their props and then noticed a couple more on the way home.

Cheers

[Chimo]

Is that a rule?

When I tow the boat I've been flagging my props for years just to stop the drongos who tail-gate far too often from stuffing my SS beauties.

So is it a law / rule?

Cheers
Chimo

PS Same reason (ie drongos) for not dunking the brakes as I got sick of rebuilding them ie some drongo who's tailgating giving grief if he hits me.

[Fishbait]

Not sure if this link refers to boat trailers but any overhanging load greater than 1200mm requires a flag? But as said before, it's a good idea to keep idiots away from the stainless prop when they tailgate you! http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Sa...s_brochure.pdf

[2IC]

Dezzer have always had a flag on the prop after someone telling me about the 1200mm load length from back of trailer & looking at the gov web site .& as said before helps those ''DRONGOS'' see my nice prop

[wrxhoon]

You need flag and lights at night if its more 1.2 mtrs behind your trailer lights.

[Feral]

Yeah its a grey area with boat trailers, as often the trailer physically stops before the boat, so what is considered the end? Then there are trailers with lights on the guards not the back, and certainl if you have a tilted motor on a big boat, your more than likely to require one.

My rule of thumb is if it sticks out more than 1.2m behind the lights, its a good idea to have it regardless. Someone half asleep at night might just find your prop on his bonnet when he pull sup at a set of traffic lights, because he thinks he is still 2m behind you, because all he saw were the tail lights which still look a long way away!

[WalrusLike]

I bought a thick canvas orange 'bag' with draw cord that goes over my prop. I bought it to comply with the grey law but it turns out that I really like it.

It only takes a moment to put on and off,
it keeps drongos further back,
it protects kids and little old ladies walking near the boat,
It softens the whack when I do something stupid with my noggin,
it keeps the coppers happy,

And best of all it is now the bag that I put all three load straps into.... convenient and stops the risk of forgetting one.

[ShaneC]

Well, just to throw a spanner in the works..... I was told when pulled up by main roads that its not actually 1.2m behind the lights. I was told its 1.2m from the main structure of the trailer, so if you have pods its pretty much a given that'll be more than 1200mm to your prop/s. I have a light board that sits across the back of my motors so from the lights it is well within 1200. But I had given them a reason to pull me up so they were being picky. Dont know if they were right or wrong, as I have rung them about some more technical aspects of building large trailers and have been dazzled by just how much they dont know.... I just stick em on now

[finga]

Yeah its a grey area with boat trailers, as often the trailer physically stops before the boat, so what is considered the end? Then there are trailers with lights on the guards not the back, and certainl if you have a tilted motor on a big boat, your more than likely to require one.

My rule of thumb is if it sticks out more than 1.2m behind the lights

No grey areas....1.2m from the physical end of the trailer as it was measured for registration but 1.2m from lights would give you a safety factor.
A flag in the day (I just use a flag from Bunnings) and a light is required at night. A blinking red tail light off a bicycle is good for that purpose.
Lights is another area not many people think about. Visible through 45 degrees each way from centre is the rule. How many would have an engine in the way?
Many light boards may not be legal either. Maximum of 1.5m from the ground to the top of the light.

[wayno60]

Just when i was happy to live in the gray you have to go and spoil it. it'll take me longer to get the boat ready for a fish than time fishing.

[Fed]

I'm sure I'm illegal, got the wobbly roller rigger things overhanging the trailer frame plus the boat overhanging the riggers plus the motor, all up has to be a good 2 metres out from the frame.

[cormorant]

No grey areas....1.2m from the physical end of the trailer as it was measured for registration but 1.2m from lights would give you a safety factor.
A flag in the day (I just use a flag from Bunnings) and a light is required at night. A blinking red tail light off a bicycle is good for that purpose.
Lights is another area not many people think about. Visible through 45 degrees each way from centre is the rule. How many would have an engine in the way?
Many light boards may not be legal either. Maximum of 1.5m from the ground to the top of the light.

Ahhhh

My understanding is from end of chassis.

If lights are on chassis they still have to meet angle of view regs
Lights on chassis sill have to meet rules on where placed on trailer
Flag has to meet specs
A prop bag isn't a flag.
We hang a 2nd set of lights on a light bar off the motors ( tilted down ) cav plates to get them at a legal height on the cat with flag attached.


Yes I've had the pleasure of the RTA guys in NSW explain it to me when flagged in between 2 trucks for weighing- I complied by luck and a soft quasi inspection. There still may be some quirks between states until we get national road rules - as if that will ever happen.


Do not add flashing lights to any vehicle . As common sense as it seems and every bike uses them they are not for powered vehicles. A red flashing light is specicifically reserved for ambulance from memory. Only orange is allowed in wide load etc It is a seperate offence in a different catagory with a bloody huge fine.

[Mike Delisser]

I've gone overkill in the light department and my motor overhang is less than 1m so my rig easily meets all the requirements. However it didn't stop some clown from rear ending me on the h/way. Perhaps he didn't like Mercurys. Ended up with the leg and prop replaced under his insurance. Now I use a old safety vest wrapped around my prop, only takes a second to pop on and off too.
Cheers

[Johnm]

Bad advice to fit a flashing red light to a motor. It is llegal to fit flashng red lights to a vehicle without the written approval of the Qld Commissioner of Police. It is illegal also on a bike but not enforced.

[finga]

Well there ya go. Flashing lights are not the go.
Thanks for the clarification fella's. I suppose I'm lucky I haven't been fined for it.

Now....where to get a simple battery powered bung on red light??