Check the position lights
It gets light later and dark sooner; if you want to cover some distance, you’ll inevitably have to sail a few miles in the dark. So switch on your navigation lights and anchor light for a test before setting sail. That way, you won’t be caught out at dusk by a burnt-out bulb or a loose mast connector.
Glare-free card table lighting
Red light is particularly well suited for seeing clearly below deck in the dark. It does not dazzle and therefore does not impair visibility in the dark when, for example, it shines up the companionway. Many reading lamps at the chart table have a red-light function. If not, they can be retrofitted with a special bulb or you can easily make one yourself in no time. Coloured filters for stage spotlights are available for very little money. Cut the red filter to size and attach it to the lamp with a piece of string or tape. And there you have it – your red light.
Safety equipment
Life jackets are recommended in rough conditions. The same applies to safety lines. These can provide extra safety, particularly in the dark. Check your torches and headlamps and, if in doubt, recharge them. Then, before setting off, slip them into your oilskin jacket. That way, you’ll have no trouble anchoring at dusk. In the evening, there are plenty of mosquitoes about again, so have insect repellent and nets ready for the companionway and hatches.
Fading into the night
How do I switch my plotter and other displays to night mode? It’s often not immediately obvious where to find this menu option. However, at high brightness, the displays can be extremely dazzling. So make sure you look up the manual beforehand and familiarise yourself with the settings. If you’re mooring in the dark, don’t forget to switch the displays back to day mode. Otherwise, in sunlight the following day, you won’t be able to see anything on the dark display, and switching it back is very fiddly.
Audible signals
Fog can restrict visibility, particularly in the mornings. So the foghorn should be dug out from the depths of the storeroom and kept to hand.
Keep a clear view of the situation
If there is a radar system on board, it might be a good idea to familiarise yourself with how it works by giving it a try. You might also want to have the user manual to hand. If the equipment hasn’t been used recently, you may not be as familiar with how to operate it as you were last autumn.
To keep out the cold
It’s now quite chilly, especially in the mornings, even though temperatures will rise to summery levels again during the day. So make sure you’ve packed some warm clothes on board. Don’t forget your hat and gloves.
Easy deck cleaning
Morning dew leaves the deck wet, and after going ashore, this usually results in unsightly footprints. However, simply wiping the cockpit and the deck once with a microfibre cloth is enough to ensure they are clean and shiny – without the need for a hose. The texture of the microfibre cloth has a cleaning effect even without additional cleaning products.
Cruise planning
Fog or strong winds are more common in autumn and, in the worst-case scenario, can force boaters to stay in harbour for the day. For this reason, your cruising plan should be adapted to the weather conditions at this time of year. Allow plenty of time and do not sail into fog or a storm simply because you are pressed for time.
Enjoying the last few days of the season
Even though the weather is turning autumnal, there are often still some lovely days to be had out on the water. And the Baltic Sea is still warm. So drop anchor, go for a swim and make some lovely memories on board. Winter will be here soon enough.
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
