simons rat wrote:I would go for the all round white light and get some reflective tape onto the yak and your paddle.
S
Agree with S, be sure you are visible and stay alert to move as you are likely the smallest vessel when in collision with another boat.
Many years ago was driving a 4 ton bay cruiser [nav lights on, cabin lights out to keep night eyes OK] in a main channel at night, it was pitch dark and knew there was a good bream spot straddling the channel so trickling along about 3 knots enough to give steerage.
At only 15m was flashed with torches and had a few unlit tinnies fishing dead ahead, I stopped and asked why they left it so late to flash me.
All said we saw your lights and were watching you, NONE seemed to realize while I was visible to them due to lights, they were unlit and blending with the night.
While there was no heat in the discussion among us all it was an accident waiting to happen I felt, I called coastguard on the radio telling of the risk on the main channel, and a while later looking back i saw a police boat arrive to open the channel.
Will finish with one comment re night safety..
Often see a recommendation to shine a torch in the oncoming skippers eyes, that is ridiculous advice as you have instantly blinded the driver by destroying his night vision ..... a quick flash across the windscreen alerts, but does not blind the other boat.