Challenges of urban boating

[freelancer]

For all you skippers that boat in and around cities or any other well developed area, what have been some of your boating challenges?

I have a trip planned tonight with some friends and at night I often mistake traffic lights for running lights. A good pair of field glasses on the
boat are always a help. Any thoughts?

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Challenges of urban boating

I have done a lot of night runs in my boat. You run into a lot of bugs(no pun intended)

I have a hand held flood light that plugs into the 12v outlet. Flare gun, Hand held flares, reflective tape and whistles on the pfd's, VHF radio

Don't get in a hurry and go slow, study your maps and know where you are at all times You don't want to hit a floating object in the dark.

I don't know what river or lake you'll be on but here on the Ohio River we have a lot of barge traffic so you really have a lot to deal with and those things have no mercy and will sink you. I find it best to plan my night cruises around a full moon for better visibility.

Good luck and be safe

 

[freelancer]

Re: Challenges of urban boating

I'm happy to report that we had a nice enjoyable and safe evening cruise. We did however cut it close with a thunderstorm that came a little too close for comfort and another boater that was running with out his running lights and never slowed down. We did have an almost full moon that helped define objects in the water a litter better. At night you never really seem to be able to let your guard down. If you do, I think that?s when you get into trouble.

 

[Tig]

Re: Challenges of urban boating

Glad you had a safe cruise. Urban areas are busy places, even at night. I have fished in the city at night along with at least 200 of my fishing buddies. I didn't find that very enjoyable.
As for bugs, I was going to try safety glasses next time I am out at night.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Challenges of urban boating

How about this for Urban Boating...I'm up at Niagara Falls for a few days with the family and were going to try out the "Maid of the Mist". Finally a trip where I'm not at the Helm, even though I'll wind up soaked, I'll enjoy it just the same.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Challenges of urban boating

glad ya had a great time.
night boating is fun imho. i been getting into it now for the second year.
only thing i can say is going slow is the word. nothing looks like it does in the day time. i've been totally disoriented on more than one occasion. that's where the gps comes in handy. found myself going west one night and thought i was going east.... gps is great...
i agree with ya too about lights on land melding with boat lights. last year on one of my first night outings. i wanted to go on shore. i thought i was looking at a street light on land. i was really looking at a stern nav. light of a fisherman. i didn't discover that till i was close enough to make out it was a boat and that was way to close. good thing i was going slow and no incident occurred. point is. nothing looks right at night. be on the lookout for sure...if in question about what your looking at, give it a shot with the spot light.