Find anchored yacht in dark.

[vic008]

Worst nightmare, not locating yacht in darkness when returning in the dinghy. Is there an app or something on your phone that would solve this? Thank you

 

[LiftyK]

You could use free app What3Words. Once you record the position of the yacht, What3Words will provide range and direction to return.

 

[steve yates]

Drop a pin on it in navionics on your phone and row for the pinon way back from the pub.
Put some fluorescing coloured tape around top of your mast and if you have a good hi beam torch swing around as you approach hour pin till the beam catches it.

 

[noelex]

Sounds like a great night at the pub .

 

[thinwater]

Worst nightmare, not locating yacht in darkness when returning in the dinghy. Is there an app or something on your phone that would solve this? Thank you

a. Leave a cockpit light on. Simple. With LEDs they burn nothing. Obviously, the anchor light is on, but that does not keep drunks from hitting the boat, so leave some lights on.

b. If you would like, it is simple and about $30 to add a wireless switch to the lights, triggered by a fob on your key chain. But (a) is better.

 

[Irish Rover]

Most unseamanlike I know, but I put a couple of small flashing bicycle lights on the rails, one on the bow and one on the stern. Particularly useful when anchored among other boats. As per #3 I also use Navionics on my phone if I have to anchor out of sight of where I'm going ashore, but that's something I try to avoid especially in the dark.

 

[Mark-1]

Worst nightmare, not locating yacht in darkness when returning in the dinghy. Is there an app or something on your phone that would solve this? Thank you

Is the problem trying to identify a specific boat hidden among many, or is it seeing a solitary boat, full stop?

 

[Irish Rover]

Is the problem trying to identify a specific boat hidden among many, or is it seeing a solitary boat, full stop?

In my experience it can be both. Finding your boat in a busy anchorage can be challenging, at the best of times. It's difficult to distinguish one from the other until you're very close. If it's a solitary boat a good bit from shore it can also be tricky. It takes a while for your night vision to readjust after leaving a lighted quay or harbour, and lights from houses on a far shore can play tricks.

 

[SVJabulo]

as others mentioned : leave a light on in the cockpit. we have some red ones which are particularly easy to find

but the best was our previous catamaran. had highly reflective stars in the shape of the southern cross on the bows. a decent torch would pick them out from 500m

cheers,

 

[requiem]

Leaving a cabin light on, or similarly distinctive lighting is good. I also like the ideas mentioned of some retro-reflective patches. Placed a few meters up the mast means you can aim high, so your torch isn't shining into other's cabins. You can also use a distinctive pattern (e.g. white-red-white or some such).

And yes, any decent nav app will let you drop waypoints and navigate to them.

 

[vic008]

Is the problem trying to identify a specific boat hidden among many, or is it seeing a solitary boat, full stop?

Both, black night.

 

[oilybilge]

This is another good reason not to have a masthead anchor light but one that hangs 15 feet above your foredeck

 

[Poignard]

And if you have forgotten to leave a light, or some other means of finding your boat, and the weather is not benign, it might be better to stay on shore until dawn rather than blundering around in the dark until you get tired out and at risk of being swept away.

I used to know a man this happened to and he ended up spending the rest of the night shivering in his dinghy on a mud bank!

 

[Irish Rover]

And if you have forgotten to leave a light, or some other means of finding your boat, and the weather is not benign, it might be better to stay on shore until dawn rather than blundering around in the dark until you get tired out and at risk of being swept away.

I used to know a man this happened to and he ended up spending the rest of the night shivering in his dinghy on a mud bank!

If the weather is bad, stay on the bloody boat. Why go ashore?

 

[Poignard]

If the weather is bad, stay on the bloody boat. Why go ashore?

One might have a dinner engagement.....

 

[Irish Rover]

One might have a dinner engagement.....

With St Peter

 

[Poignard]

With St Peter

Then better to do so on a full stomach. The induction process might take some time.......

 

[Irish Rover]

Then better to do so on a full stomach. The induction process might take some time.......

I doubt it. I'd be fairly confident some of us will get a very short hearing.

 

[Mark-1]

I doubt it. I'd be fairly confident some of us will get a very short hearing.

I am one such person.

 

[Roberto]

This is my radar reflector reaction to the flash of a camera about 30-40m down below I once had to sail in ''stealth'' mode so went up to cover it with a cloth.