Over Night

[KevinMc]

Giving thought to an over night on my boat ... mac 25.

What should I expect?
What kind of lights are required for an over night?
Since the weather is getting cooler, should I plan for bugs or will they be gone by this time of year?
I will be in the Brown's Creek area of Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, AL, any special concerns that I need to know about?
​

Thanks

Kevin

 

[higgs]

I don't know your area, but I can tell you what I do for an overnight passage.

First some type of watch schedule needs to be established. If the trip is short enough a watch schedule is not needed, but a longer trip does need a schedule. I have done a number of overnighters where the booze came out and everyone but me crashed. No fun being on the helm for 6 or 7 hours while everyone else sleeps.

Re lights: Your boat should be equipped with the needed lights. Your needs will be different if you sail or motor. Your state should have a web site detailing that info.

 

[Ross]

Kevin, You don't say if you are planning an over night passage or just anchoring out. The required lights are different. Only you can know the local insect populations at night. Up in the neck of the woods I have never been troubled by night time bugs when anchored out beyond what a couple of mosquito coils would handle.

 

[CalebD]

I am hoping that Kevin means to anchor overnight.

Sailing overnight in coastal waters is another thing entirely as someone needs to be awake while underway and lights should be displayed. I don't think that is what Kevin was asking about.
Anchoring out, or over-nighting on the hook can be a great experience as long as your anchor is set and you have enough supplies/provisions. You need to back down on the anchor rode to set it after you have dropped it to be sure it is set.
It helps to have good weather which you should have in AL.
Since I am in NY I can't comment on the insect population but in your case I would try to be prepared with screens for ports and companion way cover etc, not to mention the mosquito coils Ross mentioned.
I recently did an overnight trip with friends in a protected creek off the Chesapeake and one friend consumed too much 'adult beverage' and fell in the water in November when the water was pretty cool by your standards. Therefore, it is a good practice to have extra dry clothing for everyone on board should they get wet and have to change ALL their wet clothing for dry stuff.
What you should expect is to have a really great time as long as you have thought of all the things you will need for the trip (contingencies: ice for the following day, breakfast, a few cans of food in case you run low, etc, etc). I am assuming you will be bringing enough beer for all of us!
Check the weather before you leave to make sure you are not in for a nasty surprise the next day.
Have a great time.

 

[phil361]

Back up lights

Make sure you have back up battery navigation lights. You never know what is going to happen.

 

[David in Sandusky]

You only need a white anchor light visible 360 degrees.

We have cabin lights on Lady Lillie, but recommend the "head lights", LED lights you can strap on your forehead. They put a lot of light right where you are looking, are great for reading, and their directional focus means that one reading crew member is less likely to disturb the others.

We still have bugs on lake Erie, so I would rig screens if you are further south.

David
Lady Lillie

 

[Rick Webb]

I'd Suggest a Free Vessel Safety Check

The Coast Guard auxiliary will send someone to your boat to go over all of that with you right on your boat.

http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/ve_visitor/index.html

 

[Rick Webb]

Here is a better link to get to a guy right in your neighborhood to do a VSC on your boat.

http://www.safetyseal.net/GetVSC/

 

[LooseDiamond]

Headed to Cat Island for the night tonight! The aforementioned anchor light is mandatory. I take bug spray, and the headlight is great also. Cell phone charger, coffee/ breakfast. Extra food. I also carry a spotlight. It helps to see if you are dragging anchor, etc. and may be used to give your position if in a high traffic area. Listen to the crazy late night radio shows, or VHF traffic for entertainment. This cooler weather will make sleeping on the boat that much more enjoyable. Nothing like sleeping in the cockpit or settee w/ the hatch open watching the stars rotate through the night! Enjoy!

Oh yea! A toothbrush! Nothing like yuck-mouth to ruin a good day!
Did this once on a two night trip and the first thing I did when I hit the dock was head to the store! Flossed and brushed in the parking lot! Funny, I know...

 

[RECESS]

Bugs

Depends if this is a lake overnight or on the ocean. Off of Georgia and Florida on the ocean you can anchor far enough off the shore and greatly reduce and often eliminate the bugs. The distance really depends on how much wind is blowing. We usually have winds blowing onshore which is a great help.

On a lake, you better have screens. I know in south Georgia, our bug population is rather strong going into mid November.

 

[Ross]

An anchor light need not be complicated. The Coast Guard states that it must be an all around white light displayed where it can best be seen.
This is what I use.

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

I assume your marine head is working

failing that, at least a pee bottle. A radio, a second light source (self contained lantern), snacks, an extra blanket just in case, and a back up portable VHF in case you drain your main. If you plan on overnighting regularly, consider switching out your interior lights to LED's. Its a different kind of light, but will not drain your battery as quickly.

 

[Ross]

Re: I assume your marine head is working

Admittedly my boat is larger but some things should always be on an overnighter boat during the sailing season.
Change clothes for every regular crew.
Basic personal hygene stuff.
Canned food and pasta.
a means for boiling water and cooking.
Blankets
First aid kit (should be on all boats).
Extra drinking water.
The list can be almost endless but this will keep you healthy if your engine and the wind both die when you are miles from home.

 

[Benny]

Cabin light

You will need a light to get around in the cabin, make one of your cabin lights a red light so you don't loose your night vision. A flashlight with a red lens is good for the cockpit.

 

[caguy]

If I am going out for just one night I don't worry about the battery

drain as much as if I am going out for 4 or 5 days.
I have a couple of head lights, a more powerful spot light, a rechargeable neon lantern that seems to last forever. I figure that if my anchor light ever fails or batteries go dead I can run the lantern up the mast. If out for just a couple of days we use the neon house lights otherwise we use them for changing getting making up the bed or looking for lost earrings. We mostly use the rechargeable lantern. In case the battery goes dead I have a Costco battery jump start battery that I just clamp on to the boat battery and I'm go to go for another day. I use that thing to inflate my tires (it will go way beyond the 45 lbs needed). It also has a cigarette lighter plug where we charge our cell phones. Last time I was out for 5 days my battery went dead about 1/2 mi from my home port. Another light that I use every night is the one on my watch when I need to take a pee at night and I don't want to wake the wife nor step on that ever elusive earring.
I keep a checklist of necessary items on my Treo. I started that list during my camping and backpacking days. It has grown and been modified throughout the years. I check it before l leave for the Marina. Timo42 will tell you that I need to add a rudder to the list.
Frank

 

[Steve A.]

I would suggest a good chart of where you plan to spend the night, flashlight, something to receive weather (marine VHF or at least AM/FM), back-up anchor. If your boat is equipped with lights you will need to turn on your anchor light (360 white at top of mast) unless you are in a designated mooring field. Make sure your battery is fully charged. Some of the other posts have good ideas for alternate anchor lights (if you are using a lantern, be sure to secure it to reduce the risk of fire). I have a couple of battery powered LED lights attached to the headliner and a couple of gimbled lanterns so I don't need to run my cabin lights as much. Good food, drink and a book. Have fun!

 

[Bob S]

LED Lantern

My wife got us a crank type LED lantern that can be seen 360 degrees. It will last for 10 -15 minutes before needing a few good cranks. We also use it on the dinghy when going ashore for dinner. There are all kinds of LED flashlights that last forever on batteries.