NIGHT SAILING
The thought of sailing at night frightened me until I actually did
it. I never sailed offshore at night before I started our
circumnavigation. Daytime sailing wasn't a problem; it was
nocturnal hobgoblins that stirred up fear.
When we were children, one of the first fears we conquered was
fear of the dark. Nevertheless, people who haven't been afraid of the
dark for fifty years sometimes go catatonic when they sail
offshore at night. They simply can't bear the thought of
sailing into the inky blackness.
For those of you overwhelmed by fear, there's good news.
Sailing at night is easier and more comfortable than sailing in
the day - at least that's the way it is on Exit Only, and here's
some reasons why.
1. It dark outside, and
it's easier to fall asleep when you're off watch.
2. Your bunk is cooler after the hot tropical sun goes down,
You might even need to use a sheet to keep warm.
3. We slow the boat down at night so the ride is more
comfortable. There's less bouncing around to cope with.
4. We reduce our sail before sunset. We
don't go on deck at night to raise or lower the main.
5. It's easy to see navigation lights from oncoming ships
when you check around the horizon.
6. Navigation lights quickly reveal whether a ship is
coming directly at you or will pass by at a safe distance.
7. Night vision binoculars let you see the loom
of lights from ships even before they come over the horizon.
8 We run radar at night to track thunderstorms and
monitor nearby shipping.
9. After sunset, we view a DVD and eat popcorn as a family
activity before night watches start in
earnest.
10. Our night watches are civilized. The most sleepy person climbs in his/her bunk and instantly falls asleep.
The person who is the most awake and alert takes watch until he
becomes sleepy, and then he wakes up a rested crew member to
assume
watch.
Sailing offshore at night is both restful and safe.
Give offshore night sailing a try. It's safer than you
think, and you might even enjoy it.
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