Moonlight Sail Tonight

[Kermit]

Dang I'm excited. First Mate and I are heading up to the lake shortly for our first moonlight sail. Wind forecast calls for heavier air than I would be comfortable with but sausages on the grill and an ice cold Shock Top will make up for any disappointment.

We had planned to go day before yesterday to celebrate my birthday (55) but the forecast scared me off. Should have gone anyway. That's what we're doing now. Going anyway.

 

[kito]

I hope the moon will be out for you......cloudy up here in NC. Enjoy

 

[Kermit]

Thanks, kito. Starting to cloud up here, too. There's always sausages and beer... If the sky clears enough we should be able to see the space station at 8:55. Should be magical!

 

[MrUnix]

Sailing at night is a whole different experience. After our first night cruise, it actually became our preferred time to cruise and we would try to time our launchs just before sundown when possible. There is something about the moon shining off the wave tops and the little blinking lights that make it, at least to me, much more enjoyable (and you don't have to worry about putting on sun-screen )

Cheers,
Brad

 

[Rick D]

Me Too... to Mexico

Doing the 66th Newport Beach to Ensenada Mexico race which starts Friday and will involve (for me typically) two nights of sailing, but i this case, a full moon. Hope it's clear! Actually, hope there is wind!

 

[justsomeguy]

Happy belated birthday!

 

[kloudie1]

Happy Birthday.. Hope all is well tonight..
Moonlight sailing is fine.. Have done the Harvest Moon Regatta several times as crew.. Always a treat... (except for that one year)
http://www.harvestmoonregatta.com/
They schedule it on a full moon..

 

[Dan Hill]

Sailing during daylight on our lake seems like rush hour sometimes due to boat traffic near the south end. Sailing at night afterwards is like that midnight walk down a country lane under a full moon. We haven't night sailed our 28.5 yet, but its on the menu!

 

[soldier1964]

Happy birthday youngster. havent done any night sails yet but I hope you enjoy yours. my day, or should I say night, will come...

 

[Doc_holiday]

Yea we are looking forward to a night sail on the Chesapeake (lower end of Potomac) this year... Thinking 4th of july

 

[Kermit]

The moon didn't come out until we were driving home. But it was a great evening. Had great sausages and then left-over strawberry cake for dessert. (I'm thankful that I was born during strawberry cake season.)

We saw a bunch of wildlife, too. A bald eagle perched in a nearby pine tree. So we walked up the dock to get a look and HUGE snake slithered into the water under the walkway just as we were passing over him. Pretty sure it was a copperheaded rattle moccasin. (Did I mention he was HUGE?) So we watched the eagle for a while then went back to the boat. Lots of fish started jumping all around. (Where's your top-water gear when you need it?) Purple martins everywhere, too. Then driving home, we saw a bobcat by the road. You never know what you're going to see. Just keep your eyes open and be aware of things that are a little different than usual.

So our next chance for a moonlight sail will be May 24th & 25th. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[kito]

Sorry the moon didn't make an appearance for you while on the water. Sounds like you all had a good time anyway. Cleared off up here in NC and the moon looked almost full. We are taking off work tomorrow for our first sail of the season. We are going to borrow your idea and cook some beer n' brats on a butane stove for supper since we don't have a grill yet. We are heading out early so not sure if I can get the Admiral to stay out for a moonlight cruise. I just put in a porta pottie so I may have a fighting chance now

 

[Kermit]

Have her read the replies on this thread. Lots of good ones. They made my First Mate smile and even more determined for next time.

 

[Sailm8]

Sitting in Key Largo enjoying an enormous full moon with my honey. Makes the 350miles we sailed to get here worth it.

 

[Chris Patterson]

The moon didn't come out until we were driving home. But it was a great evening. Had great sausages and then left-over strawberry cake for dessert. (I'm thankful that I was born during strawberry cake season.)

We saw a bunch of wildlife, too. A bald eagle perched in a nearby pine tree. So we walked up the dock to get a look and HUGE snake slithered into the water under the walkway just as we were passing over him. Pretty sure it was a copperheaded rattle moccasin. (Did I mention he was HUGE?) So we watched the eagle for a while then went back to the boat. Lots of fish started jumping all around. (Where's your top-water gear when you need it?) Purple martins everywhere, too. Then driving home, we saw a bobcat by the road. You never know what you're going to see. Just keep your eyes open and be aware of things that are a little different than usual.

So our next chance for a moonlight sail will be May 24th & 25th. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

Chances are, it was a Cobra, they're very bad in South Carolina..

(The night sail is cool man).

 

[Kermit]

Chances are, it was a Cobra, they're very bad in South Carolina..

(The night sail is cool man).

First time I ever saw a hog nose snake I actually thought it was a cobra. It stood straight up, flared its neck and hissed. Best form of defense in the world. Well, just being a snake is a pretty good way to keep me away.

 

[RECESS]

When it gets really hot, night sailing is the way to go. We will get in a couple nights on St Andrews bay this weekend. I really need the moon bright, there are boats that come up on you quick with no lights near Panama City. Increased traffic usually means increased bad decisions by people with poor seamanship.

I usually hang a weather light on the mast and illuminate the jib so we are easily seen, even with a bright moon.