Navigating after sunset

BrentB · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

I need this setup
Which light model are you using and how is it mounted? Any pics to share?
thanks

Capital Sea · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

One of our intentions in buying the boat was to have a safe dry and warm when needed way to get back to the dock after dark or to pull the boat after dark.

Some things to consider if you are in a tidal area or near the mouth of a large river involve just how high the last few high tides have been and haw much rain has occurred recently. These two factors have a great effect on the amount of debris in the water (in Puget sound at least).

For a planned night trip I would first look at recent tides, and high rain events and then look at the tide on the evening I am planning to be out.
A full moon is always nice, if the sky is clear and calm conditions are always better for seeing things at night.
We also have a spot light mounted on the bow railing and we use this if we are running through a rip. This is a must with the water coming at you as objects come at you at a rate equal to your speed plus the current speed and seeing things 40 to 50 feet out is very nice. With or without a moon, the ripples in a rip area mask and replicate what objects look like and without a light the stress is a bit much.
A good chart plotter dimmed way down and red lights inside are all good ideas. Departing the Port of Olympia area where the good eateries are with guest docks means you need to track the channel and know where the markers are. The chart plotter and flood light are good for this.

thataway · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

It has been mentioned before, but there are utility tractor lights which have magnets on them. We made our own, using some magnets we had, and this "mounts" on the anchor flukes--which puts the light below the deck level (like docking lights)--and no flash back from the light. Northern tool current catalogue has one which is 55 watts #160-965 by Peterson Manufacutring $26. There are also some very bright mag mount, some with SS mounting plates, and some LED--so lots of solutions. But of course one has to be cautions about loosing the night vision. Despite having owned "search lights" I perfer the protables and there is one by Vector which is rechargable 12/110 v and has 3 brightness levels. It is light and small enough to be easily handled out the window of the C Dory, with the occasional "flash" on the subject.

BrentB · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

thanks, creative and multiple uses. love it!

Aurelia · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject:

We have been happy with this light so far and it comes with both 12v and AC charging capability and feels fairly rugged with multiple lighting levels.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EJQIOE/ref=nosim/8685595-20

thataway · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:27 am Post subject:

From description and specs I would say that the vector we use is identical and made by the same company as the above light--but we got ours at Lowes. I have 3 of them--keep in the cars, house and boat.

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:13 am Post subject:

http://www.golight.com/

This is the light that I used on the susan e. I got it off of craiglist for a lot less. It works really well and I had a plate welded to the bow rail to mount it on.

BrentB · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

thanks again. I ordered a light with magnetic base from Sears for $4.99 and will stop by Menards for a cordless handheld unit this week