Building Night Experience

[prv]

Pete, the light is forward of the stock. From directly aft you cannot see it - which if course is the problem.

Doh!

If this is going to hold you up I was going to suggest securing a decent torch on the afterdeck as an interim measure - but I suppose that wouldn't really be cricket with respect to cut-off angles etc. Though better than quite a few small boats I see out there .

Pete

 

[PhillM]

Doh!

If this is going to hold you up I was going to suggest securing a decent torch on the afterdeck as an interim measure - but I suppose that wouldn't really be cricket with respect to cut-off angles etc. Though better than quite a few small boats I see out there .

Pete

Sorry, I didn't mean my reply to sound snotty. I am thinking about getting an stern light and rigging it up to either the tiller pilot socket or the cig socket in the cabin, I can then tape it onto the backstay or a spare flag pole I have in the garage, for the initial trip. I will figure something better out over the winter.

I know what you mean about what others seem to think is OK to get away with. TBH I don't tend to cut corners, unless I really have to, but yes, I guess worst case is use the big torch especially if I'm only doing a run up and down the river to get a feel for it.

 

[prv]

Sorry, I didn't mean my reply to sound snotty.

Don't worry, it didn't

I am thinking about getting an stern light and rigging it up to either the tiller pilot socket or the cig socket in the cabin, I can then tape it onto the backstay or a spare flag pole I have in the garage, for the initial trip.

Makes sense. My tool kit includes a cigarette-lighter plug with ten feet of wire and a pair of croc-clips, for helping diagnose electrical problems, and the first time I had Kindred Spirit out after dark this is what was powering the stern light. I'd taken a friend out for a day-sail, and we'd anchored to have dinner, so being early in the season it was dark by the time we set off to return. At that point I remembered that I still hadn't reinstated the deck plugs for the mizzen mast after rebuilding the deck they were in

I'd recommend not wiring your temporary lamps to the tillerpilot supply - chances are you'll want to use that! Kindred Spirit had a cockpit socket for the searchlight, and when I first got a plotter I put the same plug on it to share the socket. Of course I very soon found myself in an unfamiliar harbour at night, wanting to simultaneously use the spotlight to check on my surroundings and the plotter to be sure I was going the right way!

I do actually have a set of spare nav lights on Ariam - surplus housings I had in the shed, fitted with a couple of metres of wire and tucked away deep in a locker just in case anything should ever happen to the main ones. I'd be willing to lend you the stern light for a couple of months if you like?

Pete

 

[PhillM]

I'd be willing to lend you the stern light for a couple of months if you like?

Thanks Pete, appreciated, but I will be out and about in Southampton (looking for new offices this week) so I can contrive to drive by F4 at some stage and put it together one evening. Looks like its raining until Thursday so will give me something to do

 

[Uricanejack]

I tend to avoid night sailing. It’s cold and I like to be tucked up in a warm pub with a nice pint.
I quite often arrive at fore mentioned pub after dark.
A couple of nights ago. Just because it worked out I could avoid a bit on nasty weather. I set off just after 2000 from Port Sydney to my destination. A simple 3 hour trip through Iroquois Pass, past the ferry terminal, out into the Gulf islands and Ganges.
I had a lovely evening my 18 year old son actually put down his I pod and showed an interest in what we were up to.
My passage plan, head out, turn left, stop when we get there. For me it's familiar territory.
Iroquois Pass is Narrow and unlit. Common sense might dictate the long way, but I’ve been through many times. And lack sense. At least according to my wife.
A 20 dollar led flashlight I bought from a hunting outfitter on buddy’s advice. It proved very helpful I was able to pick out the unlit buoys quite easily. The shore line was equally visible to my light.
I did put my folded chart on the cockpit locker to take a peek at once or twice.
While transiting Swartz bay I noticed my port side light had died. I probably should have checked them before I left.
I could see the Ferries departing and arriving. I just stopped up and kept clear till they had gone by. Before I transited Goss Pass. I had my radio on the VTS channel. I heard nothing so they did not appear to be perturbed.

Knowing which Lights I expected to see and their characteristics helps a lot.
The FL G light at the south entrance to Iroquois Pass actually looked white though my son assures me it was green.
The others were as expected when expected. I knew it was the right light by knowing my position and taking a compass bearing when I passed the unlit buoy at the entrance to Port Sydney. I could also pick out and identify the lights for Tseum Harbour.
I logged my time abeam each mark. Just for the hell of it and so my logbook isn’t completely empty

May be I should update my charts or check the list of lights?

The lights in Swartz bay are easy to identify. once out through Goss pass Just head for Kannaka Bluff FL W the only other W is Isabella Pt. Q Fl so easy to see and not mistaking next Light is Beaver Pt. FL G. Round Beaver and Then up to 2nd Sister FL R then into Ganges just about Midnight.

After we were clear of Swartz Bay. My 18 yr. old's I phone came back out. He was showing me stars, planets and constellations on an app which lines up with where you point it. It turns out it works quite well if you have the I phone the right way up.

Being from the UK it seemed like a good time to put the kettle on for a cup of tea.
There was little or no wind so our trip was a motoring experience.

All in all we had a lovely evening arriving and getting settled a bit late but when the wind and rain set in around 0600 we were just listening to it on the coach roof. Setting of to explore the town and find coffee and pancakes for breakfast around 0900

I probably would not be quite so Blaze in the Solent, I’ve only been there once or twice almost 30 years ago.

I like to keep a little Navigators note book in my pocket.
I scribble down rough co and headings which marks or lights I expect to see. On route which I will alter round
E.g.
Iroquois FL G to port.
Iroquois FL W to Strb Fir cone FL Red further to Strb
Clive I FL G to port\
Kannaka Fl W
Beaver Fl G.
Led Flashlight in my pocket comes in hand to see note book.
Its worthwhile making a note of other lights you may see which you may not pass it helps for situational awareness.
One other little tip when you see a light check its color count its flashes and time them 1 Mississippi
Then look for it on the chart. Rather than the other way round. A HBC compass is handy to help with identification. Mark even a little rough X on chart as you pass them by or in your note book. It helps you keep track especially when there is a lot. Focus on the important ones. Near your route don’t worry about a buoy way of in the distance unless you are heading that way