plane or displacement speed at night

[paultallett]

I usually don't slow down one iota when cruising at night.
Then again, that's one advantage of being used to cruise between 8 and 9 knots also in daylight...

For those who think it can be safe NOT to slow down with planing boats, I wouldn't disagree in principle, if it weren't that I have seen a massive gearbox on an 80 footer completely exploded.
The boat was actually cruising in daylight, 20kts or so, and one shaft grabbed a long and quite substantial floating line.
The helmsman didn't see anything, till the line was wrapped enough around the shaft to the point of locking it instantly, blowing the gearrbox.
Now, it's pretty obvious that such line, which wasn't noticed in daylight, had no chance to be seen at night.
But at least, it's extremely unlikely that a sudden lock of the shaft could have blown the gearbox, and that can make a difference worth a 5 figures damage....

Interesting comment. Brings up the issue of how your insurance would look on any damage sustained at night. I've just had a look and my policy says nothing about night restrictions. As solitaire points out you'd need to beable to demonstrate that you was behaving in a seaman like fashion....... Be interesting to see what they thought was an appropriate speed and if they'd use this argument to wash their hands of a potential claim.

 

[Piers]

That sounds like very sensible use of technology. Nice added protection for Play d'eau, much admired by me when she was outside at Shamrock Quay.

Thanks Floating Preferably. One time we desparately needed the thermal camera was when leaving Rochefort and navigating the river before daylight. The story's here: http://www.playdeau.com/leg-12-rochefort-to-st-denis-doleron-5-august-2013/

Will you be in Beaucette this season?

 

[Floating Preferably]

Thanks Floating Preferably. One time we desparately needed the thermal camera was when leaving Rochefort and navigating the river before daylight. The story's here: http://www.playdeau.com/leg-12-rochefort-to-st-denis-doleron-5-august-2013/

Will you be in Beaucette this season?

Hi Piers, oh boy what a story! A great way of adding to the grey hairs, or maybe losing a few more. No doubt CI area is whole different ball game. If we have a season like last summer I will try and make a point of visiting. Will drop you a note if I do. I have worked commercially with infra red cameras, and have sold them for industrial application, but it did not occurr to me that they could be a serious navigation aid, you have proved that point. Regards, Paul

 

[Monique]

Struck a 20 foot log while doing 7.5 knots in my raggie thing.

The noise was awe inspiring and provoked ongoing reflection ... slow down may be a lot safer... IMO

 

[Floating Preferably]

Wow Monique, I had not really thought that a sailing yacht would give that same heart stopping noise, but it is relative. The noise I heard was horrendous, as was the jolt, but that was over and above the noise of two diesels of a forty year old (at the time) boat with little sound insulation. If you were sailing only it would have been similar I am sure. The shock certainly refocussed my senses. So we all keep a better lookout now eh?:encouragement:

 

[tamarind]

I always do displacement speed at night on my boat and when doing a boat delivery. If there is any flotsam in the water and you accidentally hit it, you are more likely to push it out if the way than run over it and possibly hole your boat or rip off the stern gear! It's really not worth the risk. Also turn off any cabin/ cockpit lights as causes light blindness, also turn the light down on your chart plotter/ radar. Your chart reading light should have a red bulb

 

[Piers]

Have a look at this pic I took with our thermal camera when at La Roche Bernard. It was almost flat calm. Look at the ripples on the water, the definition of the boats and the detail on the cliffs. Gives us such confidence that you'll see everything at night.

http://www.playdeau.com/leg-17-la-roche-bernard-to-port-louis-25-august-2013/

The second pic down on the right. Click to enlarge.

Piers

 

[Monique]

Wow Monique, I had not really thought that a sailing yacht would give that same heart stopping noise, but it is relative. The noise I heard was horrendous, as was the jolt, but that was over and above the noise of two diesels of a forty year old (at the time) boat with little sound insulation. If you were sailing only it would have been similar I am sure. The shock certainly refocussed my senses. So we all keep a better lookout now eh?:encouragement:

Was a windy night (F8) and we were moving smartly when it happened. I did an immediate check of the bilges. We hit it butt end to port bows. Was a "food for thought" event.