You can always sail another day, so if you or the conditions and not right, wait. Below are some safety related items you must have

• Lifejacket and safety line
• Clip on points in the cockpit and jackstays on deck than you can reach before leaving the cockpit
• VHF radio
• Liferaft…most people would consider this essential
• Passive radar reflector (legal requirement in the UK)
• Navigation lights
• Bilge pump (at least one and preferably two)

Not essential but will significantly improve your safety are

• EPIRB
• PLB
• AIS
• Hand held VHF
• Search light

A good source for further info is the World Cruising Club Safety Equipment Requirement 2026

If you have never sailed at night it is not as scary as it seems at first but it does take some adjustment. Most people are afraid they can’t see and will hit something. It’s an understandable concern, however

• All vessels should be lit, with exception of boats on mooring buoys in a harbour
• Entrances to harbours and hazards will generally be well lit
• Hitting something semi submerged is probably no more likely at night than during the day, as even then i) they are rare ii) chances of seeing it in daylight is just as unlikely

For your first time sailing at night, it probably best to do this with crew and leaving and departing in daylight will be less stressful. I try to avoid arriving anywhere new in the dark and I’m now more relaxed about leaving at night. Build up your experience steadily. Before you leave, do your usual preparation and

• Know how to dim your instruments to preserve night vision
• Have a red light available down below and over the chart table.
• Have warm clothing to hand, including a hat and gloves, as it will cool off at night
• Check your navigation lights works before you leave and you know which switches to use
• Have a torch and/or headtorch available
• Consider preparing some food or a flask with a hot drink ahead of time
• Know how to reef your sails in the dark

When sailing at night I always

• Wear a lifejacket
• Avoid leaving the cockpit
• Clip on

I also find a mark you can easily feel on the centre of the wheel helps a great deal if you helm at night. Keep one hand over it, so you don’t overturn the wheel and become disorientated. Google tying a Turks head knot on a wheel. 

Obviously if you have an autopilot, it is easy. If not, it is hard work always looking at the compass. You might find a star or the moon as a reference and keep adjusting by occasion glancing at the compass. I find a better option is to steer referencing the wind instrument which is on near the windscreen on the Malo.