Are you a night boater? Do you only operate at night in familiar places or do you operate anywhere... like on the loop?
And what precautions do you take to keep a reasonable level of safety?
+++++++
I could argue that anyone who does much long distance travel some night experience is certainly valuable. There are times when you just get stuck and have to operate at night.... fighting weather, mechanical problems, whatever.
For "me", the main thing I do is avoid Fri, Sat and Sun nights.... unless I can operate where other boats won't be. There's a lot of amateurs, drunks and idiots out at those times and I'd avoid them. Even during the day on the weekends can get often too busy.
But getting up early and launching before sunlight is a treat, especially watching the sun rise. Love mornings, and very little traffic and often better weather. And arrive at destination earlier.
And during the winter, with darkness early, night operation just give more time for boating.
Also, radar is a bit plus, but not an absolute. Don't have FLIR, but suspect that would be helpful, too.
Thoughts?
And what precautions do you take to keep a reasonable level of safety?
+++++++
I could argue that anyone who does much long distance travel some night experience is certainly valuable. There are times when you just get stuck and have to operate at night.... fighting weather, mechanical problems, whatever.
For "me", the main thing I do is avoid Fri, Sat and Sun nights.... unless I can operate where other boats won't be. There's a lot of amateurs, drunks and idiots out at those times and I'd avoid them. Even during the day on the weekends can get often too busy.
But getting up early and launching before sunlight is a treat, especially watching the sun rise. Love mornings, and very little traffic and often better weather. And arrive at destination earlier.
And during the winter, with darkness early, night operation just give more time for boating.
Also, radar is a bit plus, but not an absolute. Don't have FLIR, but suspect that would be helpful, too.
Thoughts?