Boating at night

clayhubler · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:28 pm Post subject: Boating at night

Several times since we've had Hammerhead we've either launched in the dark, or been out past dark. We have a spotlight on the roof, and I initially thought that would work great for motoring around at night. Problem is the glare that I get off the forward deck and bow rail. The spotlight is only good for looking around.

I've seen other boats with lights in the bow, below deck level. I've learned that these are called docking lights. I thought that would work great. I bought a set, this set:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/aqua-signal--stainless-steel-docking-lights--9368879?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-GSC%3ENonB%3EProduct%2520Type-_-9368879&product_id=9368879&creative=108421552324&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA9bmABhBbEiwASb35V66et344vPZ_uEdCJFsC100BIVOK1VAkrCsUOzYiMALXamJai5vi5RoCGfsQAvD_BwE
I then hooked them up to a battery at night and was not impressed.

So I looked around some more and bought these:
https://www.fisheriessupply.com/sierra-heavy-duty-docking-lights/95001
I hooked them up and was very impressed. Problem is, the flange is too big. It will hang over the edge of the 'lapstrake'. Yes, I should have verified this when I ordered them, but these lights are honestly just way bigger than I thought.

So I am wondering what most of you use when motoring around at night? If anybody has lights on the bow or bow rail that you are very happy with please post a pic or a link. I like these 'docking lights' because I think they would look better than big lights mounted on the bow rail.

I am a little concerned that one may get broken years down the road and I will have cutouts in the hull and not be able to get a replacement, but I don't know what to do about that. Maybe 3D print a new housing...

ssobol · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:09 pm Post subject:

For the most part running with "headlights" on your boat is against the CG regulations. Even running with your spotlight on when "motoring around" is against the rules. You risk damaging the night vision of the operators of any other boats that are around.

Docking lights are just that, they are for use when docking.

I think that you will find that with a suitable cabin lighting environment and after allowing your eyes to fully adjust to the dark, you will see much better than you think.

Having a radar can help in avoiding things. One rule of boating at night is don't go any faster than the speed you are willing to hit something at.

Also, for the times you want to turn on your spotlight, putting black gaffers tape on the side of the railings facing the cabin can help with the glare.

gulfcoast john · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:51 pm Post subject:

Taking measures to preserve your remarkable innate night vision (a dim red headlamp, instruments on night mode etc) will allow you to see much more and much better than trying to light up the water landscape with bright white light.

That's why airline pilots flying at night don't use 500 billion CP headlights to fly after dark. They would actually see much less and be much less safe. Allow your eyes to accommodate to night vision, and use it. You'll see much more and be more safe.

Best,
John

Peter & Judy · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:53 pm Post subject:

I have never had to boat in the dark, so I consider myself lucky. I did install a bow light on the front rail of the boat. I put it in more as a docking light or as search and rescue light in case of man over board or something similar. When I tested it, I discovered tremendous glare of the anchor, so I painted the anchor flat black.

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:34 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:16 pm Post subject:

We have voyaged many thousands of hours at night. (You don't stop when crossing oceans.). Radar, FILIR (infra red heat visions), the units that used high amplification of light:SiOnyx Aurora Sport are about $400. I have not used them. I have used Gen II night vision scopes and we have an older FLIR Systems hand held unit. Problem with FLIR is the ordinary window glass stops the IR. FLIR makes a less expensive version now: FLIR Scout TK for about $600.

We always have red lights only (and dim at that) when running at night inside of the boat. Our navigation, depth finder and radar screens. are all turned to dim. If not dim enough, then red plastic film can help dim the light more.

We have a docking floor light forward and aft. They are only used for docking, fishing etc. Some boats run with high intensity LED displays which light up the ocean. Not only illegal, but not appreciated by fellow boaters.

We use a hand held spotlight if necessary to mark buoys, debris etc. Never run at night any faster than you can stop before you come to an obstruction or debris in the water which might cause damage---this means not at a plane . The PNW is an especially dangerous place--light or not. I know of even sailboats who hit a dead head--and it put a hole thru the boat. We were racing on a boat which hit a container at night--because of the construction of the boat, it did not sink or cause a hull breach--most boats would have sunk. About 1/3 of the around the world sail racers in the Vande Globe have hit unidentified underwater objects.

Another way to diminish rail flair is to put the grey foam pipe insulation around them. But there will always be some flair from the deck.

The in the hull lights are not effective and not made to be sured as "headlights".

ggray · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 12:21 pm Post subject:

For lighting daymarks, crab pots and the like, these are amazing.

https://store.marinebeam.com/marinebeam-ultra-long-range-led-illuminator-flashlight/

The technology produces a very narrow beam less likely to strike and reflect back off your boat.

Even their small ones are very impressive.

Nice not having a cord. Nice not to have a rechargeable battery die at the wrong time.

SnowTexan · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:22 pm Post subject:

Bear in mind I am new to this... I have put myself in the middle of lake chop at night a few times now under controlled conditions to see how disorienting it is to navigate using my eyes alone. Conclusion: in any kind of Nasty sea state without instruments i would be up on rocks or taking water over the wrong end of the boat. I am too green to be out there at night when it’s not perfect. Add in saltwater swells, traffic, uncharted rocks, no thanks! One night I Shut down, drifted, let the wind spin me, waves crash into the side of the boat. It was a nasty night. Firing up all systems And checking radar and I was completely turned around, could see absolutely nothing in the pitch black with spray. I opened the window, leaned out with my flood and lit that sucker up. Result: same condition as before but now blinded by light reflecting off raindrops, lake chop, and the white hull. I truly see the value of a very simple backlit compass at the helm. Redundant gps and radar Is even better, but that simple compass seemed to me to be the most valuable piece of night equipment on the boat.

I have motored around parts of the Columbia and fished a bit at night since those tests but with plenty of moonlight and no wind. Love being out at night And planning to upgrade lights for fishing and just hanging out at the “secret beaches” in summer, hitting markers, etc.

My question is does anyone have Red/Green colorblind issues? And those who do, what do you use to preserve night vision? Ever try to read a chart with red and green letters washed out by amber light? All those depth markers just disappear.

Apologies for the thread sidetracking. Maybe it should be a new thread?

Edit: have seriously considered used gen2 night vision. My neighbor is a pilot and uses NVG at work and seems like the way to go, but that is some spendy kit! Although less so if you start adding up the price of docking lights, go lights with remotes.
Nigel

ssobol · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:19 pm Post subject:

SnowTexan · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:44 pm Post subject:

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:16 am Post subject:

I don't boat at night. There's my advice.....LOL....

olsurfdog · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject:

In my area (Central Calif) commercial fisherman have started using big led arrays to run at night. I’ve not been near one at night but it would be blinding to be in front of and look at. Last week at Half Moon Bay I saw a crab boat from Alaska with a space age looking pod on a mast forward with 5 or 6 rows of 40 - 50“ led light bars facing forward. Would be impressive to see at night. Seems be expensive enough to be more than just a fad. Must work??? Certainly new to me. Anyone else seen this setup?

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:10 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:32 pm Post subject:

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:26 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure a working fishing boat must have it's lights on at all times. I'm not 100% sure on that, but that is what I have been told from those who should be familiar with it. It could be a corporate thing, or it could be a CG thing - beats me, but they are always on when they are at work.