marlinchaser

A question for those of you that regularly go out there and leave before sunup: Do you run fast going out in the dark or slow? If you run fast, how do you check for debris? Do you use a light to monitor for debris (most comments I 've seen on here seem against using lights very much for in close navigation)? Thanks for any inputs as I'd like to run out there at least once!!

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Roger

2008 Robalo R240 Twin 150 Yams

TCAT

Ideally I like to leave in the afternoon, get to the rigs right before sundown, fish the night, the early morning bite and head in around 1PM the next day. Most of the time, however, my work schedule doesn't permit the ideal situation. Therefore, we normally leave around midnight and I'll run 20knts until we reach our destination. You just have to pay attention to your radar and other visual clues. As for avoiding debris, there's not much you can do about it except for slowing down.Thats a chance you take running at night.

fishprintingfool

We've made the run out at night a few times. As TCAT said...it's just a risk you take. Lights aren't going to help, and if anything, hurt. You'll see, but it ruins your night vision. So, you can't even see other boats nav lights, etc. If you are worried about debris, leave early enough to get there before dark.



Goes without saying, but autopilot works wonders at night (actually, it works wonders all the time!). But at night, with no visual reference to drive at, it makes that haul much more enjoyable, and frees you up to pay more attention to what is going on outside of the boat.



Just some random thoughts...



Good luck,



Mike

BlackFlag

my theory... out of sight out of mind. Thats why they make life jackets man. Let'er Rip:letsdrink

Feeding Frenzy

Exactly what fishprintingfool said. If you are worried about debris leave during daylight. We usually leave at dark and try not to think about hitting any debris, but then again we don't run out there at 60mph either. We usually cruise out there at about 35 to 40 so if we do hit a log or something we won't do too much damage. Don't even bother with the light. I would rather have better night vision when looking for other boats and we use our radar. Good luck.

daddytime

No lights, watch your radar, run at a speed your comfortable with. Done it several times in my 26' cc and never had a problem. You could hit somthing floating, but unless it was right after Katrina, the odds are real real low. Good luck.

marlinchaser

Thanks guys for the feedback; gives me insight and comfort in trying to do the trip.

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Roger

2008 Robalo R240 Twin 150 Yams

Tatum

Afternoon run if possible.

If not, SAFTEY!!!! Use the light....................

Reel Rowdy

No lights if you want to see. We always leave Perdido Pass around 10pm, run 12-15 kts (my personal comfort zone at night) and arrive around 2-3am. Anyone who runs hard at night, life jackets or not, is an idiot IMHO.

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IC XC NIKA

daddytime

We are not talking about running lights. We are talking about a spot light or some other light to help see the seas in front of you. If you had done this before, you would know what we are talking about.