What is the best method to communicate with other boats at night?

Using navigation lights is the best method to communicate with other boats at night because these lights indicate your vessel's position, direction, and status. Navigation lights follow specific rules set forth by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), which help other vessels to understand your movements and intentions. For instance, a white light displayed at the stern and red and green side lights provide essential information about the type of vessel and its course, helping to prevent collisions in low visibility conditions.

Other methods, while they may serve in certain situations, do not effectively convey critical information. Sound signals can be useful during the day or in fog but are not reliable for identifying vessels at night. Shouting loudly is ineffective in conveying your position or intentions and can lead to confusion. Ignoring other vessels is not only unsafe but also contrary to maritime regulations and best practices for safe navigation. Thus, navigation lights are the most reliable and universally understood method for nighttime communication on the water.