fisherman
Well-Known Member
If we want to find gear in the dark, reflective tape and one sweep of the searchlight does it.
Into the night
- Thread starter gravygraham
- Start date
Quest
Well-Known Member
Piers, I'm curious. Why would a thermal imaging camera show a pot marker, which surely wouln't have a heat source?
Andrew
Piers
Well-Known Member
Hi Andrew. The M series FLIR camera I have had mounted on Play d'eau can sense a temp difference of 0.2C. I've been assuerd by FLIR's Distribution Manager that a pot marker out of the water will be at a diff temp and will therefore show up. He'd better be right!
FLIRs promotional videos are good and on their website here, http://www.flir.com/cs/emea/en/view/?id=45887.
As I said, I aim to report on the FLIR's ability.
Philiz
Well-Known Member
As others have said, boating is a very different experience at night. Can be quite disorientating until you get your 'night vision' and judgement of distance is difficult. Makes you understand the inportance of the different light phasing on the channel markers, that's if they're lit at all!
lobster pots are definitely a big concern though!
lobster pots are definitely a big concern though!
benjenbav
Well-Known Member
If he's wrrong you might find the buoys anyway!
Scubadoo
Well-Known Member
Done it a few times over the years, I cruise all winter on those lovely calm days and I tend to stay out longer than planned, returning to my berth in the dark.
I do tend to slow right down because of the fear of catching one of those pot markers. But other than that I don't mind it and not had any problems.
I have in the past done a few night dives, so diving and boating in the dark is quite an experience, marine life well comes to life.
The only mistake I made many years ago back in the 90s was on the early GPS (before chart plotters), I marked a way point as my entry to Helford river during the day, but only to find after a dive later at night that the GPS didn't have a signal when I marked the waypoint, basically took me the wrong direction, so it was a slow trip back following the coast line.
I do tend to slow right down because of the fear of catching one of those pot markers. But other than that I don't mind it and not had any problems.
I have in the past done a few night dives, so diving and boating in the dark is quite an experience, marine life well comes to life.
The only mistake I made many years ago back in the 90s was on the early GPS (before chart plotters), I marked a way point as my entry to Helford river during the day, but only to find after a dive later at night that the GPS didn't have a signal when I marked the waypoint, basically took me the wrong direction, so it was a slow trip back following the coast line.
Quest
Well-Known Member
0.2C sounds impressive.
I shall be interested to see how you get on with it, especially with regard to pot markers.
Andrew
gordmac
Well-Known Member
Came back overnight from IOM with a friend a few years ago, would have been handy if the chart table light worked and even handier if the compass light worked! Interesting though, quite a different perspective to during the day.
Crewed on a tug many years ago, radar does help an awful lot although it seems a bit strange initially to have your head buried in it.
Crewed on a tug many years ago, radar does help an awful lot although it seems a bit strange initially to have your head buried in it.
shetland
Well-Known Member
Cowes fireworks night, first and last time I ventured out at night.
Too many boats, and resembled the rush hour on the m25 at the end of the display
Too many boats, and resembled the rush hour on the m25 at the end of the display
LittleShip
Well-Known Member
Oooh ???
Had to turn back tis evening......... no wind but very uncomfortable seas and the latest forecast wasn't sounding too good for a 10 hr journey
But better safe than sorry...... Spose I'll just have to wait until things inprove.
Tom
Had to turn back tis evening......... no wind but very uncomfortable seas and the latest forecast wasn't sounding too good for a 10 hr journey
But better safe than sorry...... Spose I'll just have to wait until things inprove.
Tom
maybh1
Well-Known Member
How very sensible Little Ship
Much better that forging on and ending up cold, sick, scared and in a complete buggers muddle
There is always tomorrow
May
Xx
Much better that forging on and ending up cold, sick, scared and in a complete buggers muddle
There is always tomorrow
May
Xx
Elessar
Well-Known Member
As autumn draws on, more of us will be having views like this. It's still on my 'to do' list, but how many of you venture out in the dark of night?
me - often. Definitely more than 10 times a year.
I have a button to kill all the instrument lighting, one press for a quick look with 1 eye. The plotter screen is off as it's too bright even on minimum. Radar only is OK, or cover it up.
On my S37 the top cover had to be in place or the steaming light illuminated the whole cockpit. On my new to me 390 the light is on the front of the radar stump and is going to be a nightmare. I will have to helm from inside I think.
So many boats make night work too difficult. Take time to get your boat sorted by eliminating light pollution.
Once you've got your night vision you really can see in the dark. Your situational awareness comes back as that plotter thing is off.
And it's fun.
Piers
Well-Known Member
Play d'eau uses Hatteland screens which have a variable 0 - 100% brightness control so it doesn't interfere with night vision at all.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
sounds nice. I've yet to see an MFD or screen which doesn't but haven't used these screens. Guess you didn't get them in the sale at force 4 though.....
Piers
Well-Known Member
Er, no. I bought them from our sister company so I thought I'd try them myself. I have 'normal' screens, plus a 'high bright' for the fly.
powerskipper
Well-Known Member
yup
I am out at night loads sometimes 2 to 3 times a week in the summer, in the winter more often. I have set myself a mission to get some good night shots with the camera of boats at night. slowly getting there.
I am out at night loads sometimes 2 to 3 times a week in the summer, in the winter more often. I have set myself a mission to get some good night shots with the camera of boats at night. slowly getting there.
piratos
Well-Known Member
On all my boats i needed a plate under the toplight to prevent it from "light-pollution" - its available in black plastic in most boatshops, and as they dont cost a lot, its unbeleivable that boats are delivered with approved lights, but such a small piece is saved .. .
Piers
Well-Known Member
+1. Same on Play d'eau.
LittleShip
Well-Known Member
Thanks...... I have to say that I felt a bit of a whimp last night until the wind picked up about 3am
Turned over and went back to sleep with a smug smile on my face.It's always a problem trying to do this journey at this time of year and I got caught out several years ago and I dont want to suffer that experience again.
As I said before, I use to enjoy night cruising but these days it's more trouble than it's worth.
Tom
Piers
Well-Known Member
Never feel a whimp for changing your mind. When I was flying for BA we used the moto "If there's doubt, there's no doubt".
Piers
