What do you use for headlights

[cdnfthree2]

I navigated 6 miles last night with only a 1/4 moon for light. We used the gps and went really slow. We still wound up accidentally beached at one point. I want to know what ya'll use. A Handheld spotlight? 12v Headlights? What do you use?

 

[captharv]

Re: What do you use for headlights

I hope you aren't thinking of running with headlights on, like in a car. This would blind the operator (or another boater), thru the backscatter.
I use a spotlight. Q-Beam. It is turned on for a few seconds and scanned across the area I will transverse in a few minutes, then turned off. I am getting an installed one for xmas that I hand operate from the helm.
I have done many night operations. They key is to pre-load the course ( called a route in the GPS manual) you want to take into the GPS. Also practice using it for real navigation during daytime clear weather, so you are "up" on it when needed in bad weather, or nightime.
Nightime nav requires going slow. There may be that log or other debris that the light won't pick up, and slow speed won't hole the hull.
Hope this helps you.

 

[arks]

Re: What do you use for headlights

I navigated 6 miles last night with only a 1/4 moon for light. We used the gps and went really slow.

That's EXACTLY what you're supposed to do. Most experienced mariners have a spotlight at the ready but use it only for an instant to aquire channel markers or light up a dark object ahead.
Even on a moonless night, your eyes have the ability to adjust for darkness. A constant bright light from your boat will obliterate that ability for you and anyone in your beam, making it impossible for them to see anything else for the next few minutes.
Be aware that using a constant high intensity light while navigating is dangerous, and you could be charged with negligent operation by law enforcement.

 

[blueoval1]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Where I boat is "small" puddles to most of you probably. But I use my docking lights , a spotlight , and every once in awile my compass. Like I said tho I am on small fresh water lakes. I think GPS would be the way to fly for larger bodies of water.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Thanks, looks like the handheld mega light is the way to go. I just won't use it but for a few seconds at a time. I need to familiarize myself more with my gps. I expected to have a clean path back to the ramps but I turned off the gps for a few seconds and my trail was gone. (only had the straight line path wich helped out but..)I should have saved it before turning it off. Still, slow is the best way. We went back on the same path this morning and could not believe the amount of logs and stumps sticking out of the water that we must have only narrowly avoided. Thanks

 

[mthieme]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Lights ????

I'm reminded of an incident coming back from dinner one dark night.
I was just barely on plane 1/4 mile from the pier...couldn't see squat.
Ever notice how ducks have a tendency not to take evasive action until the last second. Well, evidently they don't have headlights either. Seems I heard a couple bumps followed by quacking. Oops.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: What do you use for headlights

I use one of these mounted on the window frame. It's always ready, hard wired.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: What do you use for headlights

I think GPS would be the way to fly for larger bodies of water.

I wouldn't fly at night over any water that might have debris, and this pretty much rules out all inland lakes and rivers. Keep it slow, use the light you have (even 1/4 moon is pretty bright once you get used to it), and if you get nervous slow to idle and use a handheld.

The GPS will keep you in deep water, and make sure you get home. It wont help a bit if there is something there to hit.

 

[bomar76]

Re: What do you use for headlights

If you are looking to pizz off just about everyone on the water, go ahead and jury rig some sort of lights to your boat, and/or flash around a spotlight like a fool.

If you want to be a real boater learn to drive at night with only starlight and your nightvision, with a flashlight to spot the occasional bouy. Your speed at night should be in tune with your ability to see.

 

[Beefer]

Re: What do you use for headlights

If you want to be a real boater learn to drive at night with only starlight and your nightvision

So I guess you are using sail power and a sextant?

I use a handheld spot to spot channel markers and debris (momentary usage), and follow a pre-saved course on my GPS. Night vision works, but I've entered into the modern age, and use what's available to keep and those around me safe. Too often there is a knucklehead with his spotlight on constantly. Kill my/your vision, and having the spotlight to shine at him helps him realize he's blinding me.

 

[oops!]

Re: What do you use for headlights

lights on a boat are pretty much usless unless there is somthing to reflect the light back to you......ie a log.....

to run with a 59 gazillion candle power triple the light of the sun, spot 9 of em mounted on your radar arch or wake tower....is just a big waste.

a hand held.....drive slow.....if there is a light on the shore and you are lucky enough to have flat glass....the reflection of the light will be broken if there is somthing in your way........if you know there is stumps and things sticking out of the water around you......why the heck are you boating there...?? even in the day light?......flat glass lake swounds like a more appealing water destination than stump thru the hull lake

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Well when I live on the bay several years ago the water was always choppy and for some reason I never had any difficulty seeing at night. Maybe I just picked better nights to go out. It has been a while. Perhaps a trip to the eye doc is in order. I was shocked at the trouble I had seeing. We were on a lake last night however and I'd bet that we were the ONLY ones out there so a better light would have been nice. The water was nearly flat and for some reason I couldn't see five feet past the bow withought dimming the gps to an unreadable brightness or covering it completely with my hand. The only logs I remembered when we set out were near the lighted pier. The next day, however, I noticed alot more of them. I'll get a better flashlight and plan ahead better. Thanks to all those who have offered positive help.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: What do you use for headlights

If you want to be a real boater learn to drive at night with only starlight and your nightvision, with a flashlight to spot the occasional bouy. Your speed at night should be in tune with your ability to see.

I'm usually there, but where i've been doing the most boating lately... need some lights - using a spotlight on and off is the way i've been doing it.

if you can see logs, snags and the absolutely insane number of crab traps everywhere, at night , under a cloud-filled or new moon sky, ... you're a far better man than I am or ever was... and yes, going slooooow...

 

[abj87]

Re: What do you use for headlights

If you want to be a real boater learn to drive at night with only starlight and your nightvision, with a flashlight to spot the occasional bouy. Your speed at night should be in tune with your ability to see.

yep
if you cant do it with night vision your shouldn't be out there. Ive done it PLENTY of times with no problem with and without gps/radar. You just have to be smart and aware of your surroundings.

Headlights belong on your car not the boat.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What do you use for headlights

You MUST be able to navigate at night without GPS - GPS isn't going to find that log that floated in, or the 16-footer full of drunk kids who've drifted out of their party cove. If you're watching a screen, you're not watching the water. I was taught that if you're on the water at night then EVERYONE in the boat is looking out for whatever/whomever on the water. You may know where you're going, but that does not mean everyone else does. A spotlight is nice to illuminate a buoy or object, but it is not a constant thing for reasons already outlined above...

- Scott

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Getting to my cabin requires a 5 mile boat trip, which I regularly do at night since it's a 4-5 hour drive after work.

Most of the time I use the moonlight, stars, and my own night vision to guide me. However, my place is on a rocky lake with tons of bays, channels, and islands to navigate around. I have one of those cheap Coleman spotlights that says it's a million candles or whatever. That works great for walks in the woods but doesn't light up anything while I'm on the water. For my occasional needs (as everyone here as already mentioned), I grab my 5 inch long Maglight that I bought at Target. Being able to narrow the light beam by twisting the flashlight head makes all of the difference. I'll flash it at bouys, land points, trees, and eventually my dock once I make it into the my bay.

My advice is to go at a slower speed, even if you know the waters like the back of your hand. I've gotten confused many times and was glad that I wasn't racing across the lake.

Since I didn't see it mentioned, you'll also notice that heavy rain at night and fog render spotlights and flashlights virtually useless. Wear some good rain gear and take it easy. The whole point of boating is to live to boat another day!

 

[Boatist]

Re: What do you use for headlights

I done some night boating and it requires getting your boat set up for night time. First any lights on board like a light for the blower, need to be dim and red in color or covered up. Interior lights turned off.

If your navgation light uses a all around white light then try and position it where it will not hit the foward deck. Use a white stern light instead or tape off the foward part of your all around white light. Any light hitting your deck will make it impossible to see. If your bow navigation lights refelect off of bow rails or the deck see if you can position where that will not happen or change to the front navigation lights that are below the deck on the bow on each side.

Guages should also have red lamps as well as the compass. It not then make sure everything is normal and put a dark towel over the dash.

Depthfinder and GPS need to be set to the lowest light level.
If your useing a GPS should have no problems knowing where any buoys are.
a small flashlight can be used to confirm.

Set routes in you GPS and use them on every trip day or night clear or foggy this way your learn to use the GPS and find out if the route you set is safe with enough margin to be safe. Know where you are and what should be there. We were coming back from a night time fishing trip and rounding a corner in the narrowest part of the channel useing Loran C and looking for a Quick flashing white light about 2 miles ahead. This is often hard to pick up due to some light behind it on the other side of the channel. I was following my heading and not understanding the light I am seeing. My Dad and Best Friend think everything is normal. I relize the lights we are seeing is a very large ship but Dad and My Friend still think it the lights on the other side of the bay on a clear night. It was a Large oil tanker. My route does not go into the main channel but this vessel was getting ready to dock so he was not in the main channel either.

Once we got by the Oil tanker then everything looked normal again.

I have a couple of spot lights but due not like useing it. In fact only time I use it is when another boat is blinding us with his light. I use it to let him know how it feels. If your pulling to shore in an unlighted area then you will need some light to avoid hitting lights rock or stumps on shore.

Also on a black night I would suggest 5 or 6 MPH max.

 

[45Auto]

Re: What do you use for headlights

To get to the ramps we use usually requires navigating several miles of narrow, dark, twisty bayous. GPS margin of error is typically more than the width of the bayou! I use a remote control spotlight like these http://www.magnalight.com/c-28-boat-spotlights.aspx mounted on the bow to keep track of the sides of the waterway. Tried the handheld approach but the reflection of the light off the white fiberglass blinded me. With the spotlight mounted in the very front there's no reflection from the boat.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Maby it is the waters I boat in but I find a SPOT light totally useless. Nothing but mangrove keys and islands, one of those million candel power spots super lights up one small patch of green and washes out everything else where you are blinded. Suggest you consider looking for a FLOOD light. Same light but dispersed over a wider area. You dont have that intense narrow beam. If you cant find one, consider the old fashion auto headlight bulb and make your own light. Works well for occasional use. FLOOD not SPOT. regards FRED

 

[bowman316]

Re: What do you use for headlights

Getting to my cabin requires a 5 mile boat trip, which I regularly do at night since it's a 4-5 hour drive after work.

what do you mean?
it is a 4-5 hour drive on land?
you can cut out that drive by taking your boat there?