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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/26/2005 : 10:39:57

The wife and I decided we would sleep over on the boat at the dock on this past Friday and get up early Saturday for some sailing. When we arrived at the boat Friday afternoon we discovered the wind was to good to just sit at the dock so we headed out. We sailed until midnight. There were about five other boats out with us including a C25. We honed our skills reading the running lights on other boats judging their headings and so. We had so much fun, we have already made plans to do it again this Friday night. Got up early Saturday morning as planned, perked a pot of coffee headed back out and sailed to noon.

Thanks Frank for suggesting night sailing - you're right, it was cooler!

1997 250 TR WK (sold)
1984 O'Day 28 (sold)
1979 SISU 22
Bath, NC.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 06/26/2005 10:41:30

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2005 : 23:06:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tompotter
 

Thanks Frank for suggesting night sailing - you're right, it was cooler!

Edited by - on

bjoyce
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2005 : 10:00:19

We love the night sailing. Strong winds at night don't create chop like it does during the day.
It was on a night sail 3 years ago when the bug bit us.

Barry

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 17:18:47

This accident happened on a nearby lake. I heard on the radio yesterday that they think the cabin cruiser was anchored. The anchor light was still on when the authority’s arrived. When I was sailing the other night I recall a couple speed boats running around very/too fast. I know from my bass boat days that your eyes "water up" and it becomes hard to see when traveling fast, add that to darkness and.... I will keep my spot light in the cockpit from now on.

"Gwinnett Daily Post"
State briefs
06/30/2005

Two killed, two injured in boat collision on Lake Allatoona
CANTON — Two people were killed and two others injured when two boats collided on Lake Allatoona early Wednesday morning.
The accident happened around 1:30 a.m. when a ski boat slammed into a cabin cruiser about 200 yards from shore.
The two aboard the cabin cruiser, who were killed, were identified by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Natural Resources as Jason Hale Dean, 40, of Acworth and Lauren Diane Mills, 24, of Kennesaw.
The driver of the other boat, Ross Alexander Young, 19, of Woodstock was taken to the hospital with injuries to his face and chest, and a passenger was treated at the scene.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 06/30/2005 20:24:04

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2005 : 22:28:51

Many years ago I used to teach Seamanship for the Power squadron and when the topic of lights would come up I would tell the folks a trus story. Sailor is anchored, has a kerosene anchor lite (common at the time)hung on the jib halyard and run up the headstay a bit. Power boat (of the "cocktail launch" type), driver drinking, comes along, t-bones the sailor with personal injury and property damage. Get this: power boat guys SUES the sailor for being there (legally anchored) and He WINS, his lawyer proved that the anchor light, while properly displayed, could not be seen two miles away. I forget which newspaper this was repoprted in, it was long ago, but I remember it really opened peoples eyes. Fair winds, ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2005 : 15:07:20

As much fun and cooler (temp wise) night sailing can be...I do not do it for the reasons noted above. My lake has way too many power boaters who like to roar up and down the lake...at night and after too many adult beverages. Not worth the risk.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 22:06:15

After sleeping for an unsettled 5 hours, we woke at 2:30 am and had a cup of coffee.
Decided to head back to port under the stars. The weather out west looked bleak and was heading towards the port so we decided at motor back with the sails tucked neatly and dry.

Calm water until sunup, and no traffic. Very relaxing 7 miles. I think Peggy will be ready to enjoy an evening sail on our next trip at the end of the month. The GPS certainly made it easy, we'll have to get a backup.

The advantage of the early start was no lines at the ramps and empty parking lot. (No crowds watching as we pull the boat on a tow line.)

Another value of the forum: Tales of great trips encourage others.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 23:59:13

I too love sailing after sunset, when Sacramento's fierce summer daytime temperature moderates, but the downside of keeping our boats at Folsom Lake, which is a California State Park, is the sunset curfew. All boaters are supposed to be back in their slips, or at least heading back to the marina, by sunset, and the entrance gate is locked at 10:00 pm (7:00 pm in the winter months). Anyone who has trailered in, and has to de-rig before heading home, needs to be hauled out by around 8:00pm so they can be ready to exit before the gate is locked. The six months I had the boat at Owl Harbor were really nice in that I could come and go at my own whim, anytime of the day or night. The 6:00am-10:00pm time limits at Folsom Lake really suck if you are used to regular marinas.

Edited by - on

dhunt
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2005 : 13:06:16

- added comments about the fatality on Allatoona -

According to the locals at my marina (home to the cabin cruiser) there was no anchor light on the cabin cruiser and they had drifted off a deployed anchor. The incident occurred just outside the marina in firm mud bottom in a very narrow passage of the Lake. To make matters worse, there are lots of deep protected coves within a mile of the accident site . . . We spent Saturday and Sunday night in two of them.

There are at least three lessons:

1. Anchor firmly
2. In a safe location
3. Be visible

If you actually SET the anchor instead of just dropping it, it's nearly impossible to not be firmly anchored in the mud bottom of Allatoona. I've held firm in a brief squall that was at least 45 knots.

I see lots of Danforth style anchors with a slot in the shank. The idea is that you can motor over the anchor and the rode/chain will slide down next to the shank and pull the anchor free . . . I learned a long time ago that it's possible to have the chain bind up in this slot as the anchor is dropped (or when it's THROWN - a really bod practice with this type of anchor). . . the effect is that you just have 15 pounds of metal dragging along the bottom backwards and never digging in.

Deploy the anchor methodically . . . know the depth and scope, back down on it till it stops the boat and is set FIRMLY. Know the weather conditions, and if shift of more than 90 degrees is expected, be ready to reset when necessary. Use a GPS with an anchor alarm. Anchoring out is great fun and completely safe if you are careful.

I'll reset the anchor if I even THINK there might be a problem with holding, depth, scope or swing . . . Sharon (who does most of the foredeck work) sometimes complains . . . my answer is always the same - CAUTION FIRST - it's good seamanship, good habit and provides a good nights sleep. I NEVER think twice about matters of safety, if I'm uncomfortable, I do something about it.

As for SAILING at night, I keep a big flashlight in the cockpit and shine it up at the sails anytime there is an approaching boat. Bright enough to be easily seen but nobody gets blinded by the million candlepower spotlight. I'm working on improving the stock bow lights on Solitaire and will report as it's done . . . basically increasing wattage and replacing the colored 'bubbles' with a fitted lens.

Be safe -

Edited by - on

John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2005 : 14:13:24

The lake I grew up on in NY, had several of the above noted problems with collisions. All the cases I can remember had the fault solely on the inexperienced power boat operator (notice I say operator, not skipper or pilot, since those terms indicate experience, skill and responsibility). Several times alcohol was a leading factor. Also many times it was inexperience. The new policy of requiring a boat license is a step in the right direction.

I only sailed at night twice in my life. Once in a sunfish when I was about 14 (at my fathers urging) and once as a youngster of about 8, both times there was no incident. The time alone in a sunfish was both thrilling and terrifying, however, I did it in the middle of the week when there was minimal boat traffic and I had a light directed at the sail the entire time.

I think it will be a few years before I try (if ever) night sailing on Lake Champlain.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2005 : 14:41:44

Knew a fellow who had his V23 destroyed by a T-Bone by a drunken bass boat driver... when at anchor he now uses those several of those flashing LED's that are commonly employed by bicycle riders in addition to a regular anchor light.

Not standard stuff, but one collision was enough for him.

Edited by - on

capn rick
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2005 : 14:43:14

Went night sailing on my 22 Catalina once (cruising lights on-and a red cabin light)and nearly collided with a darkened Hobie Cat with two prone bodies aboard. they crossed my bow at about 10 ft and said later I scared the sh*t out of them when I yelled 'AHOY THERE!' We were the only two boats out that nite, I think. Looked like I interrupted 'something'. Better than fishin' out of the drink, I think.
Capn Rick
s/v "Cavale"
#2458

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2005 : 16:14:22

Hey...ya gotta question if you've really lived if ya havn't enjoyed a night time catamaran rhomp.

Edited by - on

coach
Navigator

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USA
231 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2005 : 00:01:50

The problem with night sailing on our lake in northern indiana are the amish. They go out at night and fish on borrowed boats and do not have any lights on. When a sailboat is approaching they can not hear it and never look up from the water. We went out a few weeks ago and came within 6 feet of nailing one of them.

When they came in a few hours later we tried to explain to them why you turn your lights on while fishing...they still did not understand.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2005 : 08:41:24

Stealth Amish......

Like night flying, night sailing has it's own challenges, and rewards. I enjoy it, and, if you're sailing around the clock, part of it will be at night. I can see the problems on the lakes. Try it on the Bay or Ocean and throw a few 600 foot container ships and car carriers into the mix...

Suddenly half the horizon goes dark as your trying tho figure out what the whooshing sound is (his bow wave)...not long after that you hear the deep vroom vroom vroom of his diesels.....then you finally figure out his lights......waay to one end and waaay to the other end..... Fortunately you were smart enought to stay out of the channel.

I am saddened to see the potential risks deter some of you from enjoying night sailing. I recommend going to your local house of dicount worship and getting one of those rechargeable three mile spotlights. As a sailboat you have the advantage of silence, so you will hear "them" coming. The spotlight WILL get their attention.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 01:11:08

Our first night sail was this past December. We put the boat in the water so we could participate in the lighted boat parade the next night. Once the boat was set up it was too perfect an afternoon to not go out so we did. Determined to sight a whale we let the sun go down before we headed back in. We have been out of the harbor at Morro Bay many times so I figured coming back in at night would be no big deal. When we got to the harbor entrance I realized it would be more challenging than I anticipated. With the city lights shining in your eyes you can not distinguish the ends of the break water. The lights were all working fine but it took more faith than I had to push forward into the dark knowing if I messed it up we would be smashed by the surf on the rocks. We circled about a bit outside while we fired up the old gps that we had and entered in the waypoints for the entry. Then having both GPS and lights to go by we pressed forward into the black unknown. We tried our 1.5 Million candelpower spot light but could not spot a thing. It was not until we got to the point that the city lights illuminated the backside of the breakwater that we could see that we were right on track. Made it easy to sell the CFO on spending the bucks for a GPS chart plotter. It also motivated me to get the light on the compass fixed so I could read my heading without resorting to a flashlight.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 11:05:48

"Made it easy to sell the CFO on spending the bucks for a GPS chart plotter."

If you've never used one you'll be amazed the first time you do. For basic navigation, my inexpensive Lowrance Chartplotter/Depthsounder (under $300!) continues to impress... both the Fathometer and GPS functions are very well done.

For 'serious' cruising, I'd step up to a unit with full-charts and downloadable memory.

http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/M56MSMap.asp
http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/M68iSMap.asp

Easy to mount with a RAM mount. (see the rail adaptor)

http://www.ram-mount.com/

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 11:47:37

... For basic navigation, my inexpensive Lowrance Chartplotter/Depthsounder (under $300!) continues to impress... both the Fathometer and GPS functions are very well done. - Clam

Hi Bruce,

What is the model number of the unit you have? I looked at the Lowrance site, and I didn't see anything similar.

Thanks!

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 13:12:25

Bruce, I have one of those Lowrance Chartplotter/Depthsounder M68C's and love it. Simple... Just right for lakes and coastal use.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 21:51:51

>"What is the model number of the unit you have? "

The top link should have taken you right to the page.. M56 S-Map chartplotter/sonar.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 08:42:51

Haven't tried night sailing yet in our(new to us)C25, but we have enjoyed evening raftup parties and sleeping aboard in years past. Hope to experience it again, soon! Star gazing is a special treat when you are on the water, away from city lights.
Here is a link to a great star plotter site I have been enjoying: http://star.gs/indexe1.htm
It was written in Japanese, so some of the english is rough. You customize it by selecting your nearest country/city location or exact lat/long, date and time and choose the night sky quadrants. I print the maps ahead of time and take them with me.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:05:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ClamBeach
 >"What is the model number of the unit you have? "

The top link should have taken you right to the page.. M56 S-Map chartplotter/sonar.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks Bruce ... I misread the product info the first time I looked at it ...

Star gazing is a special treat when you are on the water, away from city lights. Here is a link to a great star plotter site I have been enjoying ... - Dan

I agree Dan ... there's nothing like a nice night sail when the stars/moon are nice and bright. I have a couple of star charts I keep on the boat that allow me to look for constellations based on my location and time of the year ... but ... that web site you posted is great ... thanks for the link!

Edited by - on

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