What could possibly go wrong, floating off the beach in the dark ...

[simonfraser]

This Sunday pm, perfect for AF the hulls on second beach:
The hulls have been cleaned 10 days ago
Sunny
8 knots
Nearly full moon 7pm onwards

I have done the job before, during the day

Will float off about 10:30 pm

Problem, I don't have any nav lights on the boat
Could keep to the contours and cross where visibility is good, it's not far .....

Will I be able to see well enough to find the mooring ?

Other F'ups you can forsee ??

 

[single]

For the nav lights there is time to get some of these http://boatlamps.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d272_Bike_lights.html cheap as chips and handy backups in the future.

 

[caiman]

Hows about a 'light stick' on the mooring bouy?
Cheers

 

[garvellachs]

If it's calm enough? I'd use a powerful torch, the kind that shines out for 100m maybe. It's easy to get disorientated and hard to judge distances and tidal flows although the moon will help if it's clear. I wouldn't do it alone?

 

[Andrew G]

I don't know your area but can you anchor in deeper water until it is OK to get to your mooring?

 

[Uricanejack]

Me I'd just go out to the mooring and stay out of everyone’s way. technically illegal poor seaman ship ect. I figure its only a problem if you hit someone. A good flashlight should suffice. both to let other vessels know you exist and to help spot the mooring. A wee bit of reflective tape is quite helpful. I use the arm bands which go with traffic vest. readily available at work wear clothing place. some Bicycle places have as well


While I have fitted Nav lights. The challenge seems to be getting them all working at the same time.
I just bought a back up or emergency nav lights. A couple of little LED flashlight one all round white and one red and green combination.
Truthfully at over 7m in length a combined stern and masthead of center is not quite kosher. But in a pinch should be fairy snuff along with my bow light. It was quite inexpensive.

 

[Spyro]

Other F'ups you can forsee ??

The hulls wont be dry enough for painting???

 

[simonfraser]

Tnx guys, I will endevour to pick up some nav lights at lunch time and take a good torch
The light stick in the dinghy should help, they stay on 7-8 hours ?

Shall txt the wife before I pick up in case swimming is included in the trip

Work next day, so can't anchor and wait

No rain forecast, drying / painting bit has been practiced on same beach before by me

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Where are you based - maybe someone has the lights that you could borrow?

 

[caiman]

Thinking about it,I'm not sure if light sticks would last that long.Maybe an anchor light on a 'photo' cell?
Cheers.

 

[KellysEye]

We used light sticks to light altimeters when skydiving at night, if you break them open and drink the liquid you get luminescent wee, as we found.

 

[Sniper]

We used light sticks to light altimeters when skydiving at night, if you break them open and drink the liquid you get luminescent wee, as we found.

I'm genuinely fascinated to know who first thought that was a good idea and was willing to take the risk

 

[simonfraser]

A piss artist obviously

 

[KellysEye]

One of our skydiving team, Lyn, who was the team nutter went first, when the liquid had no bad effect it was deemed safe and proved to be so.