If one is trying to get into a narrow entrance on a lee shore at night there is nothing handier than a reflector cemented into the rocks as a positive identification point. a galvanized carriage bolt thru the centre lasts a long time , an SS one lasts a lifetime. They can mark both sides of an entrance, or one side, or be put in line to show the safe channel. They make entering your favorite anchorages at night much easier and safer.
Reflectors can be cut from old aluminiunm traffic signs bought by the pound in scrapyards. The writing on them can be easily washed off with laquer thinner , leaving the reflector surface behind. They also are good for locating mooring buoys,and if you put them at various locations on your boat ,a boat enteriing at night with a spotlight will see your boat light up like an xmas tree. They also make dingies that go drifting at night much easier to find.
Adding our own aids to Navigation makes big brother less relevant, a good thing in the long run. I've found them extremely help full in my favorite anchorages.
Brent

Good ideas.
But my problem is that I usually forget to bring along a freaking flashlight.
Just last week I wandered around for an hour looking for a channel into my friends house. The only light producing thing we had on board was a couple of cell phones.
Had plenty of rum though.

Great post, Brent. I was in some very out of the way places last summer and had a tidal river, 2nm long to navigate each time we wanted to get to the car or dock.

We lived there for 2 months at anchor. Couldn't do much about the river drying out at low tide, but I did improve evening navigation by wrapping some reflective tape around the tree branches locals stuck in the mud to mark the channel.

I could make 12 knots on this river in pitch dark going reflector to reflector.

BTW: home depot sells better lights than west marine for this purpose. Cheaper too.

"I usually forget to bring along a freaking flashlight".
I am familiar with that problem too. I had a stroke of real genius one day and bought an extra one. I took it to the boat and left it there! Then I would forget the new batteries.

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Garity disposable flashlights are cheap and have an extremely well focused beam. Avoid the Eveready ones as they are impossible to hold in your teeth , and switch off as soon as you let the switch go. Dorcy disposables have a clear case, so the light shining thru them screws your night vision instantly. Stick to Garrity's .

I have another lighting tip:

If you need both hands to do something while using a flashlight, hold your flashlight as you would an older land line telephone... cradled between your shoulder and ear/neck. It's amazing how well that works!

Actually I now have one of those LED headband lights. Slip it on and go to work where ever you look is where the light goes but it does spread over a fair sized area.
These are a pretty neet and helpful gadget. Found it at the checkout at Lowes.

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What the hell did I just do