A mate (recent owner of another S&S34 Suzenda) and I took Morning Bird out Friday night to practice some night sailing. After departing Broken Bay at about 1.00pm in a NE at 10-15kts we set up the Fleming wind vane and headed out on 090-110. We had full sails including the stay sail (a St Jib) on the inner forestay, i.e. we were cutter rigged.
In superb conditions we averaged over 6 kts with the Fleming vane steering, had a feed and talked boats.
At approximately 2230 40nm off the coast east of Sydney heads and about 45nm back to Barrenjoey we did a 180. With the wind now just forward of the beam we were skating along at over 7kts. Mike got his head down till midnight while I marveled at the milky way and the phosphoresence. Mike came up while I went below for a rest and we averaged 7.5kts for the next couple of hours.
A little bit bouncy at these speeds but superbly balanced and the Fleming steering better than a helmsman.
The wind died off as we approached the coast a bit south of Barrenjoey so we motor sailed in, picked up a mooring at Coasters at 0530 or so and got a couple of hours kip before tidying up on the trip back to my mooring.
A bit tired for the weekend but brisk sailing at night, short or single handed, is a buzz that makes it worthwhile. I do love the S&S34, what a great yacht.

We had max gusts in the high teens, mostly around 10-15.
I only use the vane on longer legs. Around Pittwater the tiller pilot comes into its own.

Nice one MB.

I enjoy night sailing too, its unavoidable too on some sections of the NSW coast if you want to go somewhere.
Getting proper rest & getting out of the elements(going into the cabin) & making hot food/drinks is the key to making it enjoyable.
Have also found it is much more relaxing on a full moon, easier to make out the shape & size of other vessels & the outline of the coast etc.

A short video clip I did while night sailing:

cheers