Sailing at Night
I have sailed at night both in familiar sheltered waters, and during off-shore passages (though not in far too long in the latter case). I find sailing locally at night far more challenging than passage making. I find either among the most rewarding things I've ever done.Off shore, its fairly easy. In good weather, it takes more than a half an hour for a target on the horizon to close with your position. The standing watch should have plenty of time to adjust course or to rouse more crew to tack out of the way. Navigation is simple because there are few places to run aground.Inshore is a whole nother thing. Navigation becomes crucial because the shoreline looks flat. A regular and accurate position fix is the only way to stay off the mud, or up here in Casco Bay, the giant boat eating rocks. I don't trust my GPS in tight water because Selective Availability means that it could be off more than the width of some of the local channels. I like ranges to get me home. I have learned the position of not only the local bouys but also of certain streetlamps, traffic lights, and even house lights, from which I have developed a series of ranges that will get me from Portland back to my mooring on Falmouth. Once I confirm that they're still good this season, I'd be happy to share them with anyone operating on Casco Bay.Avoiding other boats is also a whole nother game. The period of time I am least comfortable is immediately after dark. A lot of boats without adequate navigation lighting and perhaps without adequate navigational ability are still out trying to get back to where ever they put in that morning. These boats are almost impossible to see, may not know the wind and depth restrictions I am dealing with, and may be nervous about the failing light and thus hurrying and harried.Later in the night, the boats that are still out are likely more experienced. Also, as your eyes adjust to the night, you can see better. On clear nights with full moons, you can see almost as well as during the day, as long as you do not lose your night vision to a white light bulb. Even on my daysailer, I carry a red flashlight to avoid night blindness.Sailing after dark is beautiful. The wind usually comes back around here after dying around dusk. Whispering along under full canvass, under a full moon, ideally with someone else at the helm so my hands are free to hold my guitar is about as good as it gets.Justin - O'day Owner's Web