Night sailing

sailaway78 · Apr 12, 2012

I love night sailing

Just not on Lake Ponchatrain. I live over on the east end of the lake, in Eden Isles. Just too many crap traps out in my area to go out at night. I do sail at night anywhere east of the lake and offshore. My most favorite is way offshore at night. Out far enough there is no light pollution from cities. If anyone believes there iis no greater power than man, they have never been far offshore on a 2 to 6 watch.

Dantodd · Apr 12, 2012

Sailed from San Francisco Bay to Newport Beach and back. I've also made the passage in a motor yacht. The run down in the sailboat was the most amazing time I've had on the water. 50 miles off shore there is no light pollution and the sky is just amazing, the bioluminescent wake is mesmerizing and the isolation is complete. I really wish I had time for a Hawaii passage.

THECUSCUS · Apr 13, 2012

For those of you in the upper Chesapeake, this event could give you reason for a night sail.
2012 Sippy Cup
The 4th Annual "Sippy Cup", an informal race to Annapolis, will be held the same weekend as the Governor's Cup (8/3- 8/4/2012). The race is run in a similar fashion to the Governor's Cup, with an early evening start, sailing through the night, and a finish during the following day. This year, there will be three fleets: Regatta, Sippy Cup, and Big Gulp. The Regatta Fleet is open to any sailboats - entrants will not be scored and there is no trophy. Sippy Cup boats must have a PHRF rating of 220 or higher. Big Gulp boats must have a PHRF rating of 160-219. If you don't have a PHRF rating, contact us and we'll determine where you belong. Cook-out/picnic/BYO party in Eastport afterward with awards for Sippy Cup and Big Gulp.
Entry fee is $10 and entries are due by July 27, 2012. Entries received after 7/27/12 will require an additional $15 late fee to participate. Please contact us at waldenrigging@earthlink.net for details, Notice of Race, and Entry Form

MLampner · Apr 13, 2012

THECUSCUS said:
For those of you in the upper Chesapeake, this event could give you reason for a night sail.
2012 Sippy Cup
The 4th Annual "Sippy Cup", an informal race to Annapolis, will be held the same weekend as the Governor's Cup (8/3- 8/4/2012). The race is run in a similar fashion to the Governor's Cup, with an early evening start, sailing through the night, and a finish during the following day. This year, there will be three fleets: Regatta, Sippy Cup, and Big Gulp. The Regatta Fleet is open to any sailboats - entrants will not be scored and there is no trophy. Sippy Cup boats must have a PHRF rating of 220 or higher. Big Gulp boats must have a PHRF rating of 160-219. If you don't have a PHRF rating, contact us and we'll determine where you belong. Cook-out/picnic/BYO party in Eastport afterward with awards for Sippy Cup and Big Gulp.
Entry fee is $10 and entries are due by July 27, 2012. Entries received after 7/27/12 will require an additional $15 late fee to participate. Please contact us at waldenrigging@earthlink.net for details, Notice of Race, and Entry Form

Sounds interesting where will it launch from?

rfrye1 · Apr 13, 2012

Yes night time can be great. Bio-luminous dolphin swimming by are an amazing site. But as others have mentioned, make sure your navagation equip (gps/charts/compass) are all in good order and you know how to use 'em all and keep a log. I sail/motor from San Diego to Catalina a couple times a year, usually one-way at nite. With the thick marine fog layer at nite there is no moon/stars, and its black as snot. You could easily be sailing in circles and never know it. Same thing happened to the young Kennedy when flying. He didnt know which way was up.

Big Windy · Apr 13, 2012

I don't go out at night. Too dangerous on my lake...powerboaters with too many adult beverages make it that way.

THECUSCUS · Apr 13, 2012

The race starts at the top of the Chesapeake, off Turkey Point.

Rick D · Apr 13, 2012

'Joys' Of Night Sailing & Night Vision Scopes

Let's see: cold, wet, foggy & miserable; that's SoCal on summer night sails!

When we worked real jobs, my wife, daughter and I would leave for Catalina Island at night to get the maximum time in. Before we could afford dodgers, we would bundle ourselves in sleeping bags for warmth. Some of the best times, if a bit scary crossing the shipping lanes; whales surfacing abeam of you, meteors, flying fish. If I recall, Isthmus didn't even have an RDF beacon. Even the ship to shore was AM. But the boat was great in light air.

Now I do three to five overnights a year, all in races or returns. Chart plotters, computer, AIS, radar; what a difference! Racing, the Dodger is still up (there are some limits). We have seen some marvelous nights, a few times right down a moonlit highway. On the way back, normally right into head seas, we put up the full cockpit enclosure and motor sail. We try to put up a fuss installing the enclosure near the most stripped out race boat

What I still don't like so much is going through large commercial harbors at night. (Long Beach, San Diego & Ensenada) There is a ton of traffic, unlit fishing boats ( true along Mexico's coast too) and a mass of background lights. I purchased an early night vision scope and it helped out a lot to verify a radar target was what it seemed. Recently, Bushnell came out with an enhanced almost affordable Gen One scope that is digital and is said to have gen 2+ performance. See link. I purchased one and I'll report on the performance.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/other-products/night-vision/stealthview/260542/

Ron20324 · Apr 14, 2012

kpgraci said:
...at circa $700 ... Unnecessary for my type of sailing but I do like gadgets.

Keep in mind that Christmas is coming- if you're good !:dance:

justsomeguy · Apr 14, 2012

Rick D said:
Let's see: cold, wet, foggy & miserable; that's SoCal on summer night sails!

When we worked real jobs, my wife, daughter and I would leave for Catalina Island at night to get the maximum time in. Before we could afford dodgers, we would bundle ourselves in sleeping bags for warmth. Some of the best times, if a bit scary crossing the shipping lanes; whales surfacing abeam of you, meteors, flying fish. If I recall, Isthmus didn't even have an RDF beacon. Even the ship to shore was AM. But the boat was great in light air.

Now I do three to five overnights a year, all in races or returns. Chart plotters, computer, AIS, radar; what a difference! Racing, the Dodger is still up (there are some limits). We have seen some marvelous nights, a few times right down a moonlit highway. On the way back, normally right into head seas, we put up the full cockpit enclosure and motor sail. We try to put up a fuss installing the enclosure near the most stripped out race boat

What I still don't like so much is going through large commercial harbors at night. (Long Beach, San Diego & Ensenada) There is a ton of traffic, unlit fishing boats ( true along Mexico's coast too) and a mass of background lights. I purchased an early night vision scope and it helped out a lot to verify a radar target was what it seemed. Recently, Bushnell came out with an enhanced almost affordable Gen One scope that is digital and is said to have gen 2+ performance. See link. I purchased one and I'll report on the performance.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/other-products/night-vision/stealthview/260542/

What, no compass on those? 600 foot viewing range. Unless you use the video hook-up (which may screw with your night vision), you may be better off mounting them on your head somehow?
Looking forward to your review.

Warren Milberg · Apr 14, 2012

Night sailing on the Chesapeake can be wonderful, challenging, and scary. Lights from the shore can often look like navaids, particularly where the Bay narrows in the Solomons/Pax River area. And now the crabbers have moved from near shore areas to plant their pots just about anywhere. A few years ago while at the helm of an Oyster 42 coming back up the Bay at night from an offshore cruise, we were almost run down by a huge tanker that crept up on us until it was nearly astern. We had our nav lights on and a radar reflector up. We blasted horns, flashed lights on our sails, and tried to make radio contact on Channel 16. Nothing. Someone was either asleep on that boat or it was on autopilot. Stuff happens out there -- be careful.

Rick D · Apr 19, 2012

Night Vision Scope Quick Review

Rick D said:
What I still don't like so much is going through large commercial harbors at night. (Long Beach, San Diego & Ensenada) There is a ton of traffic, unlit fishing boats ( true along Mexico's coast too) and a mass of background lights. I purchased an early night vision scope and it helped out a lot to verify a radar target was what it seemed. Recently, Bushnell came out with an enhanced almost affordable Gen One scope that is digital and is said to have gen 2+ performance. See link. I purchased one and I'll report on the performance.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/other-products/night-vision/stealthview/260542/

I went to the boat yesterday and tried out the new Bushnell digital night vision scope in clear conditions about two hours after sunset. Although there was ambient light by way of port operation, I was petty impressed. The resolution was very sharp and I was able to pick out buoys at least 400' off the breakwater with no light around them. I could pick out seals 150' away very clearly. The spotlight illuminator feature was useful up to about 150' where it illuminated brightly a circle about 10-12' in diameter. So far, so good. I'll let you know what they are like in real world conditions when I will used them during four night passages the end of this month.

FourPoints · Apr 19, 2012

I do a bit of night sailing as well, I find it relaxing in a different kind of way from day sailing. I build and installed a solar powered windex light to make it a little easier to see at night.
http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/solarwindexlight

zeehag · Apr 19, 2012

i love sailing in darkness--the moon and stars and sea are awesome. pacific coast is gorgeous in darkness, as is the gulf of mexico. ye just have to go out a bit-- but that is good for fishing as well as to avoid the close to shore chop on west coast. farther out , the brighter the stars.

shipwreck66 · Apr 19, 2012

On our lake it's astonishing how completely dark and featureless it is at night. With the exception of the Gaylord Resort being lit up at the southeast end of lake there are no lighted markers for the island, coves or anything. Regardless, I love being out there during full moons. The admiral has me string up extra LED lights at night (Christmas lights) to ensure everyone sees us.

Bad Obsession · Apr 20, 2012

I have to agree with the idea that it is beautiful, but in my area I wouldn't dare try to navigate into a Virginia Port under engine. The crab pots often find their ways into the channels and other places. It is an absolute pain in the butt to snag a pot too!

AbbySedge · Apr 21, 2012

Nice N Easy said:
Just not on Lake Ponchatrain. I live over on the east end of the lake, in Eden Isles. Just too many crap traps out in my area to go out at night. I do sail at night anywhere east of the lake and offshore. My most favorite is way offshore at night. Out far enough there is no light pollution from cities. If anyone believes there iis no greater power than man, they have never been far offshore on a 2 to 6 watch.

Hey Phil, when are we going to the casino again?