Night sailing

[StevenBauer]

I think tonight's the night. Three days past full moon. Moonrise around 6:30. Wind forecast 8 -10kts. Tide is low at 8pm. Temperature in the 50's(f). So we'll be out there on a rising tide with plenty of moonlight and a nice breeze. Anyone want to come?


Steven

[johngsandusky]

Love nightsailing, but you're a bit far from me. Enjoy.

[TimH]

Ill go

I remember one night out on Lake Michigan. It was a flat calm so you couldnt really say we were dsailing...more like drifting.
There was no moon, but the brightest starts you ever saw. The water was so flat it was just like a mirror.
Stars above and stars below. Just like floating in space...

[boylesboats]

wooooooo, night sailing... Sound like some good relaxing going on...

[Doug Wood]

Wish I could go. Dress warmly tonight. It's gonna start getting cold this evening.

Have a nice sail.

[John B]

Always fun, we were pretty much blacked out with a first quarter moon and cloud last time we were out a few weeks ago. I remember some of our first night sails though, and I remember how excited my daughter was when she was about 13 , up at midnight and looking for the reef that habitually claims boats on passage from Auckland to Kawau island.
'Don't forget , the light is standing on land. Thats what those other guys forgot' LOL.

[MiddleAgesMan]

I'll be there.

One of my best memories of sailing was a rare night sail on my Alberg 30, Trelawney. We had some low-tech stereo system playing something Baroque, very little wind and an opposing tide. We tacked in place for several hours, never losing sight of the old General Oglethorpe Hotel. It was loverly...

[Thad Van Gilder]

Steven,
I'd love to come... The travel time is a bit cumbersome though!

-Thad

[gregleeber]

Steve,

If you promise me candle light, a glass of chardonnay and some romantic music I'll be right there.

[J. Dillon]

Maybe if you're luck you might see a sight like this.

(Excerpted from my log )

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61697


07/29/86 22:00 A fantastic night. Shaula is really boiling along at 6.5 kts. Sky clear with the heavens sparkling with stars all around from zenith to horizon. The phosphorescence in my wake like miniature green light bulbs pulsing with light and life all around tapering off further astern. Even the rotator seems to be kicking up its own glowing wake as it spins astern. All of a sudden porpoise appear along side, at least three. Their bodies gleaming and illuminated by the green flashes their very motion initiates. What a sight. They dive and emerge jumping clear of the water the luminescence shimmering and changing from pea to fist size, each one glowing and diminishing in brightness as though a dimmer was controlling the display. I watched in total awe. They seemed to know, to show off their stuff to this dumfounded audience. My fear was they would disappear all too soon. I savored each second, the sound of the sea, the star lit heavens trying to out match the blue green sparkles flashing before me. The motion of the boat moving and creating it’s own watery pyrotechnics adding it’s contribution to the scene. The whole living sea around me was aglow created by creatures ranging from lower to higher life forms. If only a camera could capture it all. But it is preserved in my minds eye and unfortunately I’m not able to share it with anyone. There is no God? No one could again think that after seeing this chance happening. Mere words cannot express what a sight like that does to one. Suddenly they were gone their task done. Just Shaula and I boiling along for home. How long can the spell last?




J. DillonView Public ProfileSend a private message to J. DillonFind all posts by J. Dillon

[StevenBauer]

Oh well, no joy for us tonight. Electrical problems. Everything has been perfect all season but tonight things were not so good. The engine wouldn't turn over, just a clicking noise from the solenoid. Batteries are charged. We thought we'd go out anyway but the running lights were out, too. The only thing working right were the bilge pumps. It'll be easier to sort in the daylight, it's either the starter or the solenoid or one of the connections, though all looked ok that we could get to. Hopefully we'll try again Saturday.



Steven

[CharlieCobra]

Check the battery cables.

[StevenBauer]

The cables seem fine (one of the wing nuts was loose so I tightened it). There was 12.65 volts at the bus bars. Each battery read 6.27 volts.


Steven

[John B]

Its almost as if you have 2 x 6 v batteries.

Sounds like the ole tip the boiling water over the terminals and tighten trick to me.

[Noah]

Last time that happened to me, it was a slightly loose nut on the starter motor ground.

We had a good night sail (drift) at the end of our 80 mile race last weekend. Big moon, wonderful night. There is nothing like it.

[boylesboats]

Nice JD...

I could imagine some folks do have fantasy swimming along with dolphins in moonlit sea.. I would, I think it'll be fun..

[John B]

I like the colours JD.

[StevenBauer]

Just got back from looking things over in the daylight. I'm not sure if it's the whole problem but I think the main battery switch is the culprit. Mark is going to take a look with me tomorrow.


Steven

I love your painting, Jack.

[Paul Pless]

We thought we'd go out anyway but the running lights were out, too.

Sounds like a good excuse for you to bust off and buy some of those badassed, old school, kerosene running lights.

[Thermo]

Hey, I makes painting too! Well, my kid and I, that is.

[StevenBauer]

I just wanted to post an update, but keep your night sailing stories, pics and paintings coming.


The culprit was indeed the battery switch. It probably dates to 1993 when the Vire 12 was installed. Everything is fine now. And sailing this afternoon was fantastic! Rail down all afternoon, just me onboard - exhilarating! Hopefully tomorrow will be just as good.
Lot's of pretty boats out today.


Steven