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I would not boat at night in the Long Island Sound where I live...I've stopped going out to see fireworks on the 4th of July because there are just too many crazy amateur boaters out there! You can be a highly skilled boater, yet you're at the mercy of other boaters who lack any skill whatsoever. And going fast at night?! Invitation to death. Speed at night can and does kill. Last summer on the Hudson River north of NYC a couple people died when a power boat slammed into a barge anchored near the Tappanzee Bridge.....

I made two night trips this past week while at Smith Mountain Lake. It was amazing! My first two night runs as captain and I loved them. In both cases we headed out during the evening but came home after dark. On night we were out for a family game of mini-golf over the marina, the second night we went to the Portside Grill and Bar (awesome little place right on the lake). The rides home were so calm and peaceful. Our dock was unlit (because I did not think to turn on the lights before I left), but we used one of these incredible flashlights to spot it and help with docking (http://www.costco.com/Duracell%C2%AE-Du ... 84625.html). There was also a shallow area of the lake marked by two buoys which we used the flashlight/spot light to locate. My kids loved helping out with the light. Overall, I highly recommend some night boating.

I too was there last week and was out at night. But I have been there somewhat often this year. While mostly calm and peaceful, I wouldn't let my guard down there on weekends. Plenty of boaters that visit on weekends are drunk in the morning. By the night they are completely wasted. And law enforcement is nearly non existent. It's a great lake though. I highly recommend coming back and trying another night ride. There are boats on the lake at all hours at night during the weekends.