I’ve done night paddling on small lakes
in the Georgia mountains. I knew the lakes well from daylight paddling, so rocks and branches were not an issue.
It was best on moonless nights, after campers had shut off their Coleman lanterns. Once my eyes were dark-adapted, it was quite easy to get around without a headlamp.
On large bodies of water, one may be forced to use a strong headlamp because lights of houses, campers, autos, etc., will ruin one’s night vision. (I was puzzled by an earlier poster’s statement that he used a headlamp but didn’t lose night vision. A red headlamp?) And if there are other, larger boats on the water, then some running lights are a good idea.
I personally would not ususally paddle a body of water at night if lights on shore were spoiling my night vision. I don’t think native Americans would use torches unless they were jacklighting deer or attracting fish. Headlamps confine one to just a small lighted cone, and if I could put Sylvania car lights on the boat, it would just become obscene, not really night paddling at all.
I use these
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270098/377%20710%201604/0/Exterior%20/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/10/0?N=377%20710%201604&Ne=0&Ntt=Exterior%20&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=236
They make you look like a powerboat, are suction cup mounted, and meet all regs. I get lots of positive comments from powerboaters about them.
I’m likely to be found out in saltwater after dark, so the single white light that is required (To be in your posession, not turned on)really doesn’t cut it, IMO. These don’t mess with your night vision, either.
Probably light visible 360 degrees
Check your state's laws, but it isn't unlikely that you are supposed to carry a white light visible in 360 degrees. You can get deck lights at marine stores that have suction cup bottoms and can be pulled out to mount on your deck.
Note re white light versus yellow - in bug season the bugs will go for a white light over a yellow one. On really mosquito heavy evenings I often try to forgo the headlamp because of the company it gets, send them to my deck at least a couple of feet away instead.
Get reflective tape and mark your boat's bow and stern if you are going to be in a waterway with other traffic. Also put it on your paddle blades.
As to the green and red thing - strictly speaking paddle boats in a kayak length are not required to use this. And there is the consideration that a red/green setup usually indicates a boat under power - in other words one that could get out of the way of oncoming traffic a lot faster than a kayak can. But there are people like Wayne who use them and have found they worked out well. So use your own judgment on that one.
I paddle
quite often in coastal virginia waters at night and the Coast Guard does not want paddlers to use red/green lights on our bow. It gives power boaters the impression that we are a “maneuverable vessel”, which we are not in the coast guard’s definition. A tall 360 degree white light on the stern and a headlamp will suffice. I like to use SOLAS tape along the tape lines between my deck and hull as well as on the back face of my paddles. Paddling at night is great, just take some extra precautions to keep safe.
ColRegs Rule 25
Defines light usage for us http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rules/Rule25.htm
If you paddle inland, strobe light might be sufficient, but it is best to check with whatever local authority is.
If you paddle Great Lakes, you need to have lights satisfying R25, and emergency signaling device(s) for night and day usage.
Flare gun satisfies requirement for both day and night, I’d recommend searching for additional information on the internet. Keep in mind - device has to be USCG certified.
Strobe light
I tend to stay away from strobes as a regular use light, because if I understand it correctly they are supposed to indicate distress. I don’t trust our local motor boaters well enough to figure they’ll stop in time if they decide to run over and “help”.
That said, some around here do use them and so far no one’s been engine fodder.
Paddling at night is really nice.
You don’t need to run with lights in PA, but need to have a light on board in case you are approached. But I avoid lakes that have a lot of power boat traffic at night.
http://www.bluemountainoutfitters.net/Pdf_files/pfbcregs.pdf
I combine sunset/moonlight paddles, and usually time my night paddles 3 or 4 days before the full moon. Find a moon/sun chart. I look for a date when the moon is near its apex when the sun sets. That way you have good light. In a group I like to have light sticks on the boats and one on the person. Light sticks around the neck usually disappear in the PFD and hair. So we have been putting light sticks either around the head like a halo, or around the arm.
The lighting on the waves is beautiful and the experience is magical. Have fun and be safe.
My personnal limit is to
stay off any river regardless of size at night. You may drift imperceptively slow and still hit something you did not see because you are not where you thought you were. Stay on a body of water you travelled before and know well. PA requires you to carry a light you can operate by hand and display instantly when needed. Running lights are not required but advised. I only display a light when encountering other craft. I don’t like to ruin my excellent night vision if not required. You may find a different comfort level. If anchored or not underway, an all around white light must be displayed continuously.
I go quite often on the Kinzua/Allegheny Res all summer long. I launch from Willow Bay most of the time. If you are out this way, post it on the getting together page and perhaps we can drift around some evening.
Local paddles to you…
I see you are in Berks County. Not too far from me in Western Montgomery co, PA.
Two places that we do our night paddles is Marsh Creek State Park (lake). For night paddles at Marsh Creek you can’t use the park’s main entrance but there is a boat launch on the western side of the lake open to night boaters and fishing folks. No motor boaters (electric only) either which makes it nice and quiet.
The other night time flatwater we paddle is Blue Marsh Lake in Bern, PA. We always launch on the north side of the lake just west of Church road into a no-wake zone… also less crowded.
Feel free to email me if you want more info.
This topic got me thinking
but apparently someone else already thought of it. I guess I still have to keep my day job.
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63527578.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google
Canoe/kayak night stick
Engineered this with some old PVC pipe and fittings hanging around. The black rubber band on the main shaft allows one to feed the ball of the C-light through, as a security step that the light doesn’t tumble overboard. Both the C-light and glow stick fit snugly into either end of the 3/4 to 1/2 inch reducing joint. I only employ the stick when I am close to oncoming vessels, as it’s NOT way comfortable next to my spine, beneath the PFD. The UNOBSTUCTED 360-degree white light satisfies the local (NH) inland water regs.
E with questions.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558917191SxHfjK
i’ve been waiting
for the LED lights to come out! Incadescent ones eat batterties.
I have soem coleman bumblebee lights in red & green I clip to my bow grab-lines witha white light stick on the stern.
I also added reflective tape to the boat.
And sometimes I toss my 3 D-cell maglight into the boat. it lights up my entire kayak!
BUT, I learned one thing…
It is YOUR responsibility to be seen. That boat is a hundred times your size and so far up you are invisible so even if you are legally in the right…
… it won;t stop his prop from chewing you up!
Full moon paddles are a great starter
A group I paddle with does full moon paddles down the Bantam River to the Bantam Lake in CT. We paddle across the lake to a town beach and have a little party with whatever everybody brings. The first time out I brought my headlamp, but realized that it was unnecessary. Somebody hit the dollar store and bought a bag of glow sticks and everybody put one on the front and back of their kayak. Looked kind of pretty watching everybody head across the lake. As said before, best to paddle the area in the daylight first so you have a good idea what’s around. I love paddling at night.
or no moon at all
Cutting across a mirrored reflection of stars on a calm night on a big northern lake is simply awesome. The sights and sounds are definitely different and intriguing.
I spent a bunch of evenings this past spring and summer doing solo paddles that started after midnight. I always bring two decent headlamps and take extra precautions to stay warm in the sub 40 degree air that can stick around until June. I found the no moon paddling to be fascinating. The eyes seem to adjust and the milky way gives off enough light so that the use of headlamp is not always warranted.
With a bright light on the moose paid no attention to me at all. I think I just looked like a firefly to them as they walked within five feet of my boat. I wouldn't try that in the light of day.
These videos are from those evenings and pretty much sums up each of the night paddles at Umbagog Lake I did this year. Fun stuff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGvo3rXGBR4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q5oPdtyZAk&feature=related
Birds do not like bright lights at night. Seem to be far more sensitive. Eagles, owls, hawks, loons get very stressed out when lit. It must hurt their eyes. I have learned to leave them alone and just listen and know they are there. Wouldn't want to hurt them. I feel kind of bad about using a light in their presence.
The rainy nights are unbelievably dark! Cant see a thing without a headlamp.
rivers
I paddle rivers alot at night, I carry a big mag light with me that I use when I hear rough water. The rivers I paddle there is no fear of power boats. Some of the best experiences I’ve had have been at night. It’s really cool when you come across someone camping on the river and you can see there campfire way down the river, it really gives you a different perspective on the river. Have fun, don’t miss your take out, and don’t get your eye gouged out by a low hangin branch.
Scott nice vids. I spent a couple of
nights up there and did not see anything like that. I love to paddle at night I have done most of it around the Muscle Ridge area of Maine and it is so nice without the moon and not having to worry about boats as much as in other areas. I would also stay away from the strobe light as to my knowledge it is for emergencies.
I love it!
I will swap two day paddles for one night paddle any time. It is my favorite by far. Of course be careful.
Coast Guard Rules
All vessels should use proper navigation lights. However, non-powered vessels, such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats under 7 meters in length are not required to have lights installed, and may use a flashlight for navigation. The light does not have to be turned on at all times, but should be turned on in time to avoid a collision. (Rule 25)
State laws of course my be different on their waters.
What I do is what others have said. I have no lights on but I have a 4 cell waterproof light attached to the PFD. I have been an avid boater all my life and I know how to watch the Nav lights and know where a boat is going. If there is any chance it is or might be coming any where near me I take my light and wave it back and forth in the direction of the boat so it ‘flashes’ at them. I figure it is more likely to get their attention than a stationary light. I am not shinning it in their eyes.
What scares me is the trend for the pontoon boaters are putting headlights on their boats and run down the lake with them on. You can’t see anything except what is immediately in front of you. They should only use them for docking or entering a unfamiliar harbor. They have no night vision or any common sense if you ask me. They would hit us before they could react. I give them a LOT of respect and a lot of distance!
When it comes to flashlights there are two rules. Bigger/brighter is always better and always carry a spare.
Headlamp works great
you don’t have to put down your paddle except to turn it on, and it’s always pointing where you’re looking. I keep an LED headlamp on my bean whenever paddling at night. I don;t turn it on unless I need it, because of night vision issues, and I have regulation lights on anyway, so I should be visible.
stick it
Glow sticks that is and stick to the Bernville side of bluemarsh.The no wake zone side of the lake.
The other little parks like Kersher creek and hopewell might kick you off at dark.check the county’s web sites if they have park regs posted.
If you travel up to the Poconos you have plenty of opertunities to nite paddle on Pecks,shahola,promised land…
Thanks!
Thanks to everybody for your input… I got great tips and ideas from everyone and knowing what I now know, it’s gonna be a long wait this winter until I get to night paddle.