Running out with FLIR

Anyone have experience running out in the dark 30-40 knots with FLIR? How about with lights if radar verifies no boats in 2mile radius?

We never done it with FLIR, but plenty of times at those speeds with the radar. I don’t understand why you would want lights? Like a spotlight? Scared of the dark? That’s what radar is for. Those lights won’t help you when its pea soup foggy, bo!!! Been there, done that.

I came a couple feet from hitting log in the dark last week running in the dark on radar. Be careful!

We have a fair amount of debris to avoid running out. Logs, Trash, Shipping containers, boat lines…Our method is RADAR and night vision but Im always worried about those partially submerged objects which dont always show on RADAR. A fair amount of guys back home in Louisiana mount led bars on the t top to spread light as they run. They run the bayous and the shipping canals as they head out the river. A bit different for us running in the open ocean for 60 miles. LEDs are a problem for other boaters(and violates maritime law) so you cant do this with any boats around. On my new build I have been looking at FLIR which looks like the answer but its very pricey and I dont have any first hand experience. Of course we will be running radar as well.

I have been on a sporty running in the dark at 35 knots all night. FLIR is incredible. If you are running 35-40 knots you likely won’t have the time and reflexes (body and boat) to react and miss a log or something smallish/similar. FLIR works amazing and you can clearly see 1500 ft or more in front of the boat. It is expensive and probably works better on sportys and other yachts that have higher clearance off the water. If you are running 35-40 in the dark in a center console, it is just a roll of the dice. I run offshore in the dark more than any other boat I personally know of and have not had any issues. Going offshore in the dark is just a gamble. Period. Good luck whatever you do.

On those rare days when the water is very smooth, I am seeing a lot of debris, partially submerged, that would do damage if struck by a boat. One trip recently, we passed near three trees, in different locations, coming from the ledge. Maybe it’s worse since the hurricane? But radar would not see this stuff, though I don’t know about Flir. At the speeds mentioned, not sure if you’d have time to recognize, react and avoid…particularly with waves of even chop.

To see a stark video of what can happen, Google the Waste Not, an outer banks Sportfish. Last winter it struck something in broad daylight, and began taking on water fast. A couple of boats got to him in time to pick up the crew, and record the mayhem. It shows how fast a +50’ sporty can go down.

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Originally posted by tridogs

LEDs are a problem for other boaters(and violates maritime law) so you cant do this with any boats around.


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And where is this “law” posted? Because if that’s the case then somebody needs to start issuing tickets to all the barge traffic and the container ships that look like freaking UFO’s on the water with all their lights.

2005 Fountain 32CC with that Verado power

Thats funny! I agree, they are a menace. When I took my captains license thats what we were taught but to be honest, I don’t know where exactly that rule is stated. Probably coast guard but not sure.heres the annex to the rules of the road that adresses lights.http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navRules/Annexes/CGNAVRULES_20141118_Annex_1.pdf

I have FLIR- I run out using it with radar.
Yes you can see debris and react- although I rarely run at 40kts at night. Closer to 30-

Before I had it- I had no idea how many birds fly in the harbor at night.