Night driving

[lucky7t]

Night driving

Thank you all of you for the info. We gave it a try this last weekend and yes very creepy.
There were a bunch of fisherman blowing by at wide open throttle. I once jumped up and started waving a flashlight because he was headed straight towards me but it was fun

[HS]

7t, did the fishermen have their lights on? Just curious. . .

For folks considering this, I would say get familiar with your lights, both in knowing how yours operate and how to interpret the lights from other vessels.

There is a diagram on the following link showing nav and anchor lights (scroll down below the video). The light on top of our towers I think serves double duty as an anchor light and as stern light. Other boats get a "light stanchion" that serves as a stern light -- but it has to be put in place in order to work. I don't know how the 196 or 206 were outfitted for stern lights. http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdviso...on-Light-Rules

So if your out at night and you see a vessel's green and red lights at the same time, that would mean the vessel is coming in your direction; if you see a red nav light with white, that means it is headed from your right to your left as his red light is on his port side.

I would see no reason not to keep the nav lights on unless you are at anchor in a no wake zone or in a dedicated "anchorage". When we overnight while salt water cruising, we keep the masthead light on which is the "anchor light". Having a flashlight is a good idea too, both as a back up, and for spotting other craft or for coming in to the dock.

(end of safety presentation)

[fyrhog]

Know the waterways you might be navigating in at night. Cruised the California Delta for 11 years and even in the daytime you need to be familiar with visibility (shore lights) underwater objects which change with the tide. EASY DOES IT. I have put a few reflector stickers on my boat just incase Im dead in the water with no lights.

[lucky7t]

7t, did the fishermen have their lights on? Just curious. . .

For folks considering this, I would say get familiar with your lights, both in knowing how yours operate and how to interpret the lights from other vessels.

There is a diagram on the following link showing nav and anchor lights (scroll down below the video). The light on top of our towers I think serves double duty as an anchor light and as stern light. Other boats get a "light stanchion" that serves as a stern light -- but it has to be put in place in order to work. I don't know how the 196 or 206 were outfitted for stern lights. http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdviso...on-Light-Rules

So if your out at night and you see a vessel's green and red lights at the same time, that would mean the vessel is coming in your direction; if you see a red nav light with white, that means it is headed from your right to your left as his red light is on his port side.

I would see no reason not to keep the nav lights on unless you are at anchor in a no wake zone or in a dedicated "anchorage". When we overnight while salt water cruising, we keep the masthead light on which is the "anchor light". Having a flashlight is a good idea too, both as a back up, and for spotting other craft or for coming in to the dock.

(end of safety presentation)

Yes the fisherman did have there lights on. Thank you for the info. I had no idea

[HS]

Cool, I think this forum is a great place, and I have learned a ton here. Thanks to all on PN for sharing your experiences.

Info on nav lights can be found here, too. http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...2010vdrive.pdf

See page 3-8 and page 4-14 for navigation lights and anchor lights.

From page 1-18: "Navigation Lights
All power boats underway between sunset and sunrise must display
proper navigation lights. All boats at anchor must display a proper
anchor light. The anchor light must be visible 360 degrees."

Have a safe Labor Day weekend! Sunset here is now 7:58; man it's a big difference from June when dusk doesn't hit until 10!

[swc5150]

We've been night boating since day 1. Some of the best family times in my life have been night cruising. Just know the water you're on, and you'll be fine.

[ffmedic74]

Turning a flood light on or dash can really mess with your pupils. You are better off keeping things dark if possible and using the moon as your friend.

[HS]

Yep, and I like how the link console back lights go from bright for day use to a deep blue (darker) once the nav lights get turned on.