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Name:	sagetek -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/16/2009 10:47:26 PM

Question please,
I know it is against the law(?) to run at night with your docking lights on in a pontoon boat, but with the lake going down now (normally), what about using a hand held Q-Beam or whatever to spot the markers for all the obstructions? Is it OK to have it on all the time, or just flip it on every now and then? I'm interested in what is allowed by the law? No use at all or what?
Thanks

Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/16/2009 11:44:19 PM

Well, I cant find the detailed information to point you to. Maybe our MP Member will check in and give an official ruling. I would call them if I were you.

If I needed to use my spot to ensure safety, I would. But I would use it to spot check, not leave it on all the time.

That being said, the problem is that using the light will obliterate your night vision, cause you to see even less, thus forcing you to use the light again, thus further messing up your night vision, on and on.

The other issue, just like with the dock lights, is that you ruin other boaters night vision, as well.

At night, I usually stay on my right side of something close to the channel. Of course, I am the guy not cutting corners and suddenly appearing in the path of another boat.

My best advice, and request of other boaters is to learn the rules of the road and follow them. Dont cut corners, dont cross channel traffic in front of others underway, on and on. For night boating, learn to read other boats navigation lights and what they mean and determine who has right of way.

In your case, I would think that if you stayed away from shore and more toward the channel you would be less likely to encounter an obstacle of any kind. Obviously, if you are trying to get into or out of a slough or other tight spot made tighter by lower water levels, then of course you should use your spot when needed. But just driving down the lake with docking lights or a spot shining like a headlight is a big faux pax and deserves a warning or a ticket.

Perhaps this is not you, but my main beef with pontoon boat drivers is they seem to think they are sailboats and always have the right of way. As a result, most of them seem to have no clue. I know there are exceptions and I am not indicting ALL pontoon drivers. Just the ones I am talking about. No offense meant. I want a pontoon boat, too.

Anyway, I would use a spot only if absolutely necessary. That's why I have it on the boat.

Again, no offense meant to anyone. Off the soapbox. ;-)

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/17/2009 12:17:13 AM

What DSCR wrote about your eyes and white light at night is very important. Having served in the Coast Guard, I can assure you that night boating can be a most relaxing opportunity to watch the millions of stars in a peaceful surrounding. It can also be very stressful as you think you see things that are non existent on the water. I assume you have a depth finder aboard. Here is an interesting blog that should be of help to you and others.

URL: http://portky.com/articles/night.html

Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/17/2009 12:47:57 AM

Thanks, GoneFishin! Wow, that is a great site. I read that article and bookmarked the page for further perusal. If everyone followed his tips in the article, the lake would be a lot safer.

Name:	green,ed -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/17/2009 9:20:05 AM

Thanks. I learned from this

Name:	sagetek -	Reply
Subject:	So pretty much........
Date:	10/17/2009 3:15:02 PM

So pretty much use the spot as needed to spot obstructions, etc. I've run quite a few navigable rivers at night, and you must use the spot "occasionally" to find the bouys. However still don't know what the Marine Police think about this on Lake Martin? Ticket or not?
Thanks

Name:	woodman60 -	Reply
Subject:	Night Running Lights
Date:	10/19/2009 12:35:27 AM

For night boating, I have taken my gps and ploted most of the markers on it. I have red 'tracks' to follow to get me in and out of narrow spaces in my area of the lake. Could navigate completely on 'instruments' at night but still have to watch for other boats. I have the known shallow marked with a skull and crossbones. So I try to avoid the docking light use to avoid night blindness and use occasionaly to verify the marker.
Just a suggestion.

Name:	PikeSki -	Reply
Subject:	Fun Fact - Pirates
Date:	10/19/2009 12:27:19 PM

Did you know that Pirates wore patches over 1 eye - not because they lost their eye in a sword fight, but because if they were attacked during daylight and ran downstairs into the canon deck it was very dark, so they would simply move the patch over to the other eye and now they have perfect night vision in the canon deck - instantly.

I hope to see all of you boaters out there wearing pirate patches from now on.

argh matey!

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