Star gazing

[rick35]

Last week around 10 I was making a taxi run to Sheps and a boat appeared in front of us out of the darkness. My wife and I were both keeping an eye out and its hard to imagine that it had its lights on util we saw it. It was a beautiful starry night and we thought someone might have had their lights off taking in the view. Its not the first time that has happened.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by rick35

Last week around 10 I was making a taxi run to Sheps and a boat appeared in front of us out of the darkness. My wife and I were both keeping an eye out and its hard to imagine that it had its lights on util we saw it. It was a beautiful starry night and we thought someone might have had their lights off taking in the view. Its not the first time that has happened.

If it can happen, even remotely, eventually, it will. Murphy's Law.

[upthesaukee]

This doesn't surprise me. This past Thurs and Fri nights we went out for sunset watching and didn't head back to the dock until after sunset. We were out in the Broads off Rattlesnake one night, and Robert's Cove the second night. Both nights, we saw several boats with bow lights on, but no all around white light on. Guessing they forgot to put in the all around light. What bothered me the most was the first night, after entering Alton Bay close to the Little Mark flasher, I saw the remnants of a wake trail a boat makes and as I reached to come off throttle, I spotted the boat a hundred yards or so ahead. Turned to the right and slowed down abeam them. Told them how hard it was to see them. ( I spotted their instrument panel lights ) . He apologized, said the light wasnt working, and said they had no flashlight. I suggested using a cell phone flashlight app, or just a cell phone, pointing aft. He said thet would try that. Several things wrong; no spare bulb or light, no flashlight or searchlight on board, and doing very slow cruise down the middle of the bay.

I live here... I am always Upthesaukee.

[noreast]

Went star gazing at Moosehead Saturday around 10, I swear we were the only one's on the lake, Even during the day I saw 3 boats!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

This doesn't surprise me. This past Thurs and Fri nights we went out for sunset watching and didn't head back to the dock until after sunset. We were out in the Broads off Rattlesnake one night, and Robert's Cove the second night. Both nights, we saw several boats with bow lights on, but no all around white light on. Guessing they forgot to put in the all around light. What bothered me the most was the first night, after entering Alton Bay close to the Little Mark flasher, I saw the remnants of a wake trail a boat makes and as I reached to come off throttle, I spotted the boat a hundred yards or so ahead. Turned to the right and slowed down abeam them. Told them how hard it was to see them. ( I spotted their instrument panel lights ) . He apologized, said the light wasnt working, and said they had no flashlight. I suggested using a cell phone flashlight app, or just a cell phone, pointing aft. He said thet would try that. Several things wrong; no spare bulb or light, no flashlight or searchlight on board, and doing very slow cruise down the middle of the bay.

I live here... I am always Upthesaukee.

Dave, as always, you offer up great advice! We got stranded once without our extra bulb and used two cell phones for our stern light. Thankfully we didn't have far to go. We now have several extra bulbs, so if we forget to replace it, we have a back up.

[rick35]

I replaced my bow light with an LED light so I wouldn't have to worry about a blown bulb. Replacing a bulb can be difficult in daylight with the boat on the trailer. In the dark in a bouncing boat hanging over the bow - forget it. I also have two stern lights just in case. Changing a bulb is easy enough but if the pole comes loose and goes over the side then its good to have a spare.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by rick35

.... was a beautiful starry night and we thought someone might have had their lights off taking in the view.

Or perhaps a couple enjoying some "alone time" on the boat...which can be rather enjoyable...so I've heard.

[rick35]

Originally Posted by MJM

Or perhaps a couple enjoying some "alone time" on the boat...which can be rather enjoyable...so I've heard.

A boy can dream...