Maglite

[seansea]

Some years ago, a boat owner friend advertised for a first mate to sail his boat from UK to Indonesia.
About half way through the trip, tensions between owner and hired skipper got somewhat difficult to the point where there was a serious altercation and the owner had to calm down his hired help using his maglite torch to bash him a few times. (No serious injuries but they did part company to the closest port in India)
These Maglite metal case torches are heavy duty not unlike a base ball bat. Years later I bought one and always keep it on a bracket by the companionway. Fortunately i've only ever had to use it for illumination purposes but if I had to protect myself...well it's there just in case!

 

[Refueler]

They were supplied to a number of Police Depts ... I know in USA they were popular with LE officers.

Are they still sold ??

 

[Bouba]

I only have my small Maglites left...once my boat was stopped by officials who wanted to check flares, life jackets etc...then he said where is your waterproof torch?...I grabbed my tiny Maglite and showed him...he wasn’t impressed and repeated that it must be waterproof...so I switched it on and dropped it into the dog’s water bowl

 

[WoodyP]

They were supplied to a number of Police Depts ... I know in USA they were popular with LE officers.

Are they still sold ??

Loads on Amazon and others.

 

[Refueler]

Loads on Amazon and others.

OK ... I used to have one of the very small ones but that went 'walkies' a long time ago ..

 

[Clancy Moped]

We had one in the companionway on a bracket, great for security.

 

[johnalison]

I had one on my key ring.

 

[penfold]

The one which takes 6 D cell batteries does double up as a handy blunt object.

 

[KevinV]

Particularly popular with security staff, who can't carry an offensive weapon (like a baton), but can legitimately carry a big torch.

 

[Refueler]

Blunt objects ....

I have worked in Ex Soviet Union for quite a few years ... in fact even before it broke up. In the early days of post USSR ... I started carrying a short baseball bat under the front seat ... as it was not unknown to be driving along and then someone stop you .... then demand your wallet ... car keys or whatever.
I was offered an AK47 for $50 ... but declined as in those days they were 'ex-soldiers' selling of their weapons and anyone caught buying - was serious issue.

A few times I had occasion to show my baseball bat .....

I still have it under the seat - it fits across just nice under the lever to move seat. But its there purely as habit now.

 

[Stemar]

Particularly popular with security staff, who can't carry an offensive weapon (like a baton), but can legitimately carry a big torch.

And a few paramedics of my acquaintance, though it was rare for them to use them for anything but illumination. Stroppy drunks seemed to get the idea when a big torch was hefted.

I still have it under the seat - it fits across just nice under the lever to move seat. But its there purely as habit now.

I had a hammer next to the seat for the same reasons. Strictly illegal - "any object made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon..."

"No, it's purely defensive" wouldn't have worked, but "the started jams and needs a tap now and again" would probably got me off the hook.

I used to have a two D cell torch clipped on by the companionway on Jissel, an Aldidl version of the Maglight, but now have a selection of little LED lights that do a better job.

 

[Clancy Moped]

I used to carry a nightstick under the car seat with some pepper spray in gel form, this was in Corsica where I've had gun pulled on us in road rage indecent.

 

[Refueler]

And a few paramedics of my acquaintance, though it was rare for them to use them for anything but illumination. Stroppy drunks seemed to get the idea when a big torch was hefted.


I had a hammer next to the seat for the same reasons. Strictly illegal - "any object made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon..."

"No, it's purely defensive" wouldn't have worked, but "the started jams and needs a tap now and again" would probably got me off the hook.

I used to have a two D cell torch clipped on by the companionway on Jissel, an Aldidl version of the Maglight, but now have a selection of little LED lights that do a better job.

Standard toolkit for a Russian Lada ... Hammer and pair of pliers ...

 

[Sandy]

Some years ago, a boat owner friend advertised for a first mate to sail his boat from UK to Indonesia.
About half way through the trip, tensions between owner and hired skipper got somewhat difficult to the point where there was a serious altercation and the owner had to calm down his hired help using his maglite torch to bash him a few times. (No serious injuries but they did part company to the closest port in India)
These Maglite metal case torches are heavy duty not unlike a base ball bat. Years later I bought one and always keep it on a bracket by the companionway. Fortunately i've only ever had to use it for illumination purposes but if I had to protect myself...well it's there just in case!

Sounds like one vessel to be avoided if invited for a sundowner

 

[sarabande]

A Maglite fan writes:-

If you have the old incandescent bulb type, then replacement LEDs are available. Much much better beam, and still focusable.

Then if carrying a Maglite in a defensive situation, rest the handle/barrel on your shoulder. The beam is from higher up than waist level and more effective at dazzling someone. and the torch can be used as a downward striking implement. More force, and you hold the lens end securely.

 

[Trident]

They make a nice neoprene sleeve for the Maglite - it is designed to do two things, 1) protect your hand from touching the metal casing in extreme cold and provide better grip in the wet 2) and the real reason most LEOs in the US add one - it increases the "dwell time" when you hit someone with it . A bare one can glance off a skull without too much damage but the rubber prevents this (its very thin) and does more damage . What a lovely world we live in eh ?!

 

[ashtead]

Just be careful not to leave batteries too long in your truncheon maglite if stored as they can corrode the inside making removal of batteries hard to achieve simply.

 

[WoodyP]

One of these has a legitimate use Baseball Bat Steering Lock | Halfords UK.
Years ago in our village someone I knew, now dead, was stopped and arrested for having an offensive weapon in his van. It was a knobkerrie but he referred to it as his grandmother's walking stick. As reported from court

 

[Boathook]

A Maglite fan writes:-

If you have the old incandescent bulb type, then replacement LEDs are available. Much much better beam, and still focusable.

Then if carrying a Maglite in a defensive situation, rest the handle/barrel on your shoulder. The beam is from higher up than waist level and more effective at dazzling someone. and the torch can be used as a downward striking implement. More force, and you hold the lens end securely.

I converted both my maglite's (a 3 D cell and a mini 2cell AAA) to LED. Very pleased and hopefully a much longer battery life.

Edit. Got the LED's from Maglite® Torch LED Replacement Lamps

 

[Praxinoscope]

I have 3 Maglites on board all LED, 1. a Maglite mini is in clips just by the gangway for easy rapid access, 2. Another Mini held in clips in the fwd cabin, 3. A full size Maglite in a locker just in case some really bright light is needed, which Insuppose could be used as a truncheon if necessary, don't think the minis' would be much use as a deterrent.