Why only ONE light?
- Thread starter inkblue
- Start date
It is a bit off the spotlight subject, but since it has evolved to a night vision discussion, did any of you see the recent "Myth Busters" Pirate special episode where they held at least as plausable the myth that pirates wore eyepatches to preserve night vision?? Fairly interesting...was based on fighting above deck during the day and having it carry quickly below deck which was always dark so they would switch the patch to the other eye and have instant night vision...maybe a new accessory for Boat Fix to carry...of course not much was said about the whole depth perception thing!!!
Joe,
I saw that show also and was surprised to hear the reason behind wearing a patch.
To preserve night vision when encountering a bright light, simply close one eye. When the light is shut off, you will have preserved night vision in at least one eye, better than loosing it in both eyes.
I saw that show also and was surprised to hear the reason behind wearing a patch.
To preserve night vision when encountering a bright light, simply close one eye. When the light is shut off, you will have preserved night vision in at least one eye, better than loosing it in both eyes.
now that was a good one!
But seriously - as I've not yet used the boat at night at all - without using a spotlight pretty well all the time, how will you know you are avoiding debris? I understead go dead slow, but still.
Orcbait
But seriously - as I've not yet used the boat at night at all - without using a spotlight pretty well all the time, how will you know you are avoiding debris? I understead go dead slow, but still.
Orcbait
There are far too many boat owners who seem to be unable to make the transition from land to water. Almost everything is different. The assumption on land is that "Big Brother" will tell you how and when to do most everything. Help is available at the nearest gas station or by dialing 911. All incidents are someone else's fault and we are all just victims of someone else's stupidity. It doesn't work that way on the water. You are responsible for everything that happens to your boat and also have a responsibility to your fellow boaters. There are no stop lights, yield signs, merge signs or any of the other tools used on land. We are lucky if the channel markers are in the correct position.
Those who are unable to understand the meaning of the word "Mariner" attempt to use their boats as they would their cars, including trying to use headlights and bright beams at night with the net effect of not only blinding themselves but everyone around them. Every year, at least one recreational boat tries to pass between a barge and its tow. The result is usually death. Anyone who has approached the US coast at night can well understand how important it is to be able to discern every light out there.
For example, when crossing from the Bahamas to the US, there is a steady stream of commercial traffic bound north and south. Even with radar, it is critical to be able to pick out the nav lights of that traffic and to differentiate between a container ship and a tug with a barge 1000' astern. The repeated use of a spotlight or, even worse, the continuous use of dock lights as headlights, will leave you blind but for a hundred feet or so ahead. That is miles from the awareness circle that a safe boater must maintain at night.
The most frightened I have ever been at sea was about 7 years ago when I left a 300' commercial dive boat anchored offshore and headed back, at night, to Freeport TX in a 18' Mako with about 10" of stern freeboard. The dive boat was about six miles south of the inlet and four miles offshore. The seas were kicking up and the Texas shoreline, because of the chemical plants, looks like New York City. There was no moon and I could not see the waves, just feel them.
The inlet channel has spoil areas on either side and the inlet itself is bounded by concrete jetties that jut into the gulf a decent distance. I have no GPS and no radio other than a hand held private frequency ship's radio that is out of range. If I don't find the tiny red and green lights on the end of the jetties as well as the channel buoy lights, I'm probably a dead man because no one will be looking for me until the next day. Between the visible auto tail lights, the commercial land based lights, other boats and stop lights, there were literally hundreds of red lights to choose from, as well as an assortment of green ones. The key, of course, is in the flashing pattern. The channel markers flash at 4 sec. intervals and the sea buoy flashes morse A in white. Had I not maintained my night vision, I probably would have been a page six story in the Houston paper.
You see, folks, aside from the cockiness leading to stupidity aspect of this story, when we take a hard line stand on issues here, there is usually a very good reason for it.
Those who are unable to understand the meaning of the word "Mariner" attempt to use their boats as they would their cars, including trying to use headlights and bright beams at night with the net effect of not only blinding themselves but everyone around them. Every year, at least one recreational boat tries to pass between a barge and its tow. The result is usually death. Anyone who has approached the US coast at night can well understand how important it is to be able to discern every light out there.
For example, when crossing from the Bahamas to the US, there is a steady stream of commercial traffic bound north and south. Even with radar, it is critical to be able to pick out the nav lights of that traffic and to differentiate between a container ship and a tug with a barge 1000' astern. The repeated use of a spotlight or, even worse, the continuous use of dock lights as headlights, will leave you blind but for a hundred feet or so ahead. That is miles from the awareness circle that a safe boater must maintain at night.
The most frightened I have ever been at sea was about 7 years ago when I left a 300' commercial dive boat anchored offshore and headed back, at night, to Freeport TX in a 18' Mako with about 10" of stern freeboard. The dive boat was about six miles south of the inlet and four miles offshore. The seas were kicking up and the Texas shoreline, because of the chemical plants, looks like New York City. There was no moon and I could not see the waves, just feel them.
The inlet channel has spoil areas on either side and the inlet itself is bounded by concrete jetties that jut into the gulf a decent distance. I have no GPS and no radio other than a hand held private frequency ship's radio that is out of range. If I don't find the tiny red and green lights on the end of the jetties as well as the channel buoy lights, I'm probably a dead man because no one will be looking for me until the next day. Between the visible auto tail lights, the commercial land based lights, other boats and stop lights, there were literally hundreds of red lights to choose from, as well as an assortment of green ones. The key, of course, is in the flashing pattern. The channel markers flash at 4 sec. intervals and the sea buoy flashes morse A in white. Had I not maintained my night vision, I probably would have been a page six story in the Houston paper.
You see, folks, aside from the cockiness leading to stupidity aspect of this story, when we take a hard line stand on issues here, there is usually a very good reason for it.
I have a hand-held and deck-mounted spotlight. They only see use when in the Fairway when going to my slip.
All my instruments are back-lighted with a red hue. Cabin lights are off.
When underway, night vision is a terrible thing to lose. Even for a minute or two.
All my instruments are back-lighted with a red hue. Cabin lights are off.
When underway, night vision is a terrible thing to lose. Even for a minute or two.
- Joined
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I agree with SLW; even my el cheapo 1,000,000 candlepower handheld spotlight is way, way too powerful. Even a short burst totally destroys my night vision, so I wind up using my remote spotlight (which takes much longer to find the bouy with, but at least doesn't totally destroy my night vision.)
The problem is, I haven't seen any marine handhelds in the 200K - 300K candlepower range. Les, does Boatfix carry a high quality marine handheld that doesn't try to mimic a nuclear explosion?
Silver Duck
The problem is, I haven't seen any marine handhelds in the 200K - 300K candlepower range. Les, does Boatfix carry a high quality marine handheld that doesn't try to mimic a nuclear explosion?
Silver Duck
There are a couple hand helds
http://www.boatfix.com/cart2/Scripts/prodList.asp?strSearch=spotlight
The guest 234 and 235 are both 300K.
http://www.boatfix.com/cart2/Scripts/prodList.asp?strSearch=spotlight
The guest 234 and 235 are both 300K.
folks,
I understand the issues you have posted, and the lessons you are imparting, and trust me I'm not into doing things my own stupid way while imperilling or annoying those around me - that said, is there an answer to my question?
What do you in fact do if you're in a situation when you're out at night? If using a spotlight to see the water ahead of you is out (so fine, I understand why), then other than going dead slow, is the best answer, just don't ever go anywhere at night? I mean, sorry but the nightvision system isn't going to be practical, and hitting debris or having it wrap up in your props no matter how slow you're going is still the issue, for me.
Thanks for any answers to the question.
Orcbait
I understand the issues you have posted, and the lessons you are imparting, and trust me I'm not into doing things my own stupid way while imperilling or annoying those around me - that said, is there an answer to my question?
What do you in fact do if you're in a situation when you're out at night? If using a spotlight to see the water ahead of you is out (so fine, I understand why), then other than going dead slow, is the best answer, just don't ever go anywhere at night? I mean, sorry but the nightvision system isn't going to be practical, and hitting debris or having it wrap up in your props no matter how slow you're going is still the issue, for me.
Thanks for any answers to the question.
Orcbait
Go slow and maintain a proper lookout. Don't smoke while you're trying to optimize your night vision. You'll hit some small debris of course from time to time but at the proper night speed, it probably won't hurt anything.
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Thanks, Les. That's just what I was looking for; I'll add it to the order I'm working up.
Orcbait, Greg has it exactly right. I go out at night frequently, and, unless the conditions are just right (i.e., clear night with lots of moon light) I don't even consider going up on plane.
Silver Duck
Orcbait, Greg has it exactly right. I go out at night frequently, and, unless the conditions are just right (i.e., clear night with lots of moon light) I don't even consider going up on plane.
Silver Duck
Uncle Les, have you thought about checking in with our sponsor for equipment?
Practicing with lights in a "known" area will help you when your not familiar,,,
and INKBLUE, the flip side is have you never seen running lights on any boat at night????
Fred
.
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After nearly hitting several Freeport based jetskis running illegally at night with no lights, I can tell you that it is foolhardy to be driving around at night. Unless it is urgent for some reason, and you are operating with extreme caution.
There have been several tragic deaths on the south shore due to night boating collisions.
There have been several tragic deaths on the south shore due to night boating collisions.
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- 12,219
jet skis out at night ? you got to be kidding....
night running is no big deal, i do it all the time and love it but it is absolutely critical to preserve your night vision. Turn off any light near the helm and on an express make sure nobody opens the cabin lights with lights on. And dim those electronics ! i cant' believe the number of clows driving at 20kts+ with the bright glow of their plotters lighting the helm and their faces...
if you do that, you'll be amazed at what you can see reflecting off the water especially with a lot of shore lights. you can see unlit markers and idiots in unlit small boats and sometimes even pot buoys.
if you boat in an area with a lot of debris, or buoys like in some part of the keys, then running at night isn't the best idea and if you have to, keep it slow.
night running is no big deal, i do it all the time and love it but it is absolutely critical to preserve your night vision. Turn off any light near the helm and on an express make sure nobody opens the cabin lights with lights on. And dim those electronics ! i cant' believe the number of clows driving at 20kts+ with the bright glow of their plotters lighting the helm and their faces...
if you do that, you'll be amazed at what you can see reflecting off the water especially with a lot of shore lights. you can see unlit markers and idiots in unlit small boats and sometimes even pot buoys.
if you boat in an area with a lot of debris, or buoys like in some part of the keys, then running at night isn't the best idea and if you have to, keep it slow.