Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I like the idea - I was thinking of a battery powered and bluetooth unit. I am impressed by the idea having had to put something similar on my car when I put a camping pod on the back of the ute. It obscured the rear view mirror so I installed an always on reversing camera that works a treat. Can't see a reason why it wouldn't work.

I have a cat and they can have some blind spots - but so can any boat with a headsail. I think it is a good idea for all boats - not to neglect your duty to have a look for boats, but to improve your ability to carry out that duty.

Good idea which I've pondered many times. But start with your tiller pilot: mine behaved perfectly on our many trips past ships in the river, as should yours, giving you at least another minute or two.

Cheers Graeme

I got rid of the instrument binnacle on top of the cabin and have an excellent view ahead under the headsail. I have a seat that slots into the hatch way so I can sit there with my eyes above the cabin top. Hospital type piss bottle on a lanyard attached to the handle in the hatch way that's long enough to reach the water for cleaning. Metho stove just to my right. Aries steers, I relax.

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BluewaterBound said..
Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I'm testing Lidar cameras from a range of vendors atm, a couple of which were 360 degree video cams only. Whilst they didn't suit our application, we had a bit of a tinker with them. The 360 degree cams I was most impressed was the Theta Z1 and the Insta 360. Both had phone app and gave a very impressive picture, would be awesome for your application. The Theta took a bit of dicking around with the wireless, but not too onerous.
The best I believe is still the Garmin Virb. I have a old one that is still going strong and they are crammed full of sensors. If you could pick one of these up second hand that would be even better. Gives you absolutely everything, even a track, even waterproof. I still use it under the back of a 170mph drag car in a pretty horrible environment and has handled all sorts of abuse.
Just make sure you mount them solidly, bit expensive to lose overboard :) .

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wongaga said..
Good idea which I've pondered many times. But start with your tiller pilot: mine behaved perfectly on our many trips past ships in the river, as should yours, giving you at least another minute or two.

Cheers Graeme

Good to know. I have a spare tiller pilot which the guy I bought the boat from said should be fixable, so I might get that one up and running and then tinker with the current one. I works just fine out on the bay, so it was strange it meandered so much in the enclosed water ... or maybe it does that all the time and I just don't notice!

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Ramona said..
I got rid of the instrument binnacle on top of the cabin and have an excellent view ahead under the headsail. I have a seat that slots into the hatch way so I can sit there with my eyes above the cabin top. Hospital type piss bottle on a lanyard attached to the handle in the hatch way that's long enough to reach the water for cleaning. Metho stove just to my right. Aries steers, I relax.

There is a lot to be said for low-tech ... plenty of tech elsewhere on the boat to go wrong

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shaggybaxter said..

BluewaterBound said..
Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I'm testing Lidar cameras from a range of vendors atm, a couple of which were 360 degree video cams only. Whilst they didn't suit our application, we had a bit of a tinker with them. The 360 degree cams I was most impressed was the Theta Z1 and the Insta 360. Both had phone app and gave a very impressive picture, would be awesome for your application. The Theta took a bit of dicking around with the wireless, but not too onerous.
The best I believe is still the Garmin Virb. I have a old one that is still going strong and they are crammed full of sensors. If you could pick one of these up second hand that would be even better. Gives you absolutely everything, even a track, even waterproof. I still use it under the back of a 170mph drag car in a pretty horrible environment and has handled all sorts of abuse.
Just make sure you mount them solidly, bit expensive to lose overboard :) .

Thanks - good tips

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shaggybaxter said..

BluewaterBound said..
Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I'm testing Lidar cameras from a range of vendors atm, a couple of which were 360 degree video cams only. Whilst they didn't suit our application, we had a bit of a tinker with them. The 360 degree cams I was most impressed was the Theta Z1 and the Insta 360. Both had phone app and gave a very impressive picture, would be awesome for your application. The Theta took a bit of dicking around with the wireless, but not too onerous.
The best I believe is still the Garmin Virb. I have a old one that is still going strong and they are crammed full of sensors. If you could pick one of these up second hand that would be even better. Gives you absolutely everything, even a track, even waterproof. I still use it under the back of a 170mph drag car in a pretty horrible environment and has handled all sorts of abuse.
Just make sure you mount them solidly, bit expensive to lose overboard :) .

They look pricey though - I might try a cheapo option like this one ... $279 from jaycar ...

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BluewaterBound said..
Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I went through this idea when I set up my recent yacht electronics , I ended up using a GoPro with max wide lens and a IPad Pro running the GoPro App. The problem I found is that the GoPro will need a waterproof 12volt power usb connection as it will only Bluetooth the feed for about 35 minutes before going flat. The cable connection is not that waterproof into the GoPro (I learnt that the expensive way) ! It's possible to use this system in mostly fine dry conditions. the benefits are it's not a permanent fixture, the GoPro can be used for other purposes along with the iPad which I run raymarine app, Netflix, windy, etc . I started experimenting with the home security cameras but had a lot of trouble getting them to connect with servers. I hope this option helps.

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BluewaterBound said..

wongaga said..
Good idea which I've pondered many times. But start with your tiller pilot: mine behaved perfectly on our many trips past ships in the river, as should yours, giving you at least another minute or two.

Cheers Graeme

Good to know. I have a spare tiller pilot which the guy I bought the boat from said should be fixable, so I might get that one up and running and then tinker with the current one. I works just fine out on the bay, so it was strange it meandered so much in the enclosed water ... or maybe it does that all the time and I just don't notice!

PM'd you.

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southace said..

BluewaterBound said..
Hi all - I did a short motor-sail up the Yarra river on Sunday, in water that is mostly a couple of hundred metres wide and with frequent ferries or other craft to dodge. All pretty relaxing, but when I went into the cabin to make coffee or find the suncream etc, I really only had a few seconds before I had to pop my head up again to check my course. The tiller pilot was behaving erratically - I assume because of the magnetic interference of the steel-hulled ships we passed. That got me thinking -- does anyone use a video camera and screen while down below to keep an eye on things? That would even give time to visit the heads rather than filling up the bailing bucket in the cockpit. And if anyone has such a set-up, what gear do you use? I was thinking perhaps a reversing camera kit from a car parts place might be a cheap way to do this. Any ideas?

I went through this idea when I set up my recent yacht electronics , I ended up using a GoPro with max wide lens and a IPad Pro running the GoPro App. The problem I found is that the GoPro will need a waterproof 12volt power usb connection as it will only Bluetooth the feed for about 35 minutes before going flat. The cable connection is not that waterproof into the GoPro (I learnt that the expensive way) ! It's possible to use this system in mostly fine dry conditions. the benefits are it's not a permanent fixture, the GoPro can be used for other purposes along with the iPad which I run raymarine app, Netflix, windy, etc . I started experimenting with the home security cameras but had a lot of trouble getting them to connect with servers. I hope this option helps.

I think a wired in waterproof camera would suit me best - so a reversing camera might work. Will let you know if I have success. Also, I quite like the idea of a dedicated small screen because I get so sick of fiddling with apps, app upgrades etc.

There is a large selection of dash cams on eBay for around 50 bucks such as the one below. Just set the display to the rear camera which needs to be waterproof.
I have used one like this in my car for five years and it's still going strong.

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julesmoto said..
There is a large selection of dash cams on eBay for around 50 bucks such as the one below. Just set the display to the rear camera which needs to be waterproof.
I have used one like this in my car for five years and it's still going strong.

Even better. I've also had the idea of mounting the screen on the inside of the heads door, which opens in such a way as to close off the v-berth - i.e. when it's hooked in position it looks a bit like a door to the v-berth area. If I put the screen there and keep the door hooked open, I can see while making coffee or digging out my waterproofs etc, and when I'm actually on the thunderbox I'll have the screen right there for peace of mind

I'd be interested to hear just how good the vision is from the different set ups?

I'm on a boat today which has a camera linked to the Chartplotter, just a swipe to switch the display to camera view.
However, it's usefulness at showing objects on water is limited, with it being quite hard to see the tender at 100 yards.
I'm assuming it's because it's a security CCTV camera in a waterproof housing, not particularly optimised for the purpose you're intending.

This looks interesting (and probably expensive). Via NBJS:

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D3 said..
I'd be interested to hear just how good the vision is from the different set ups?

I'm on a boat today which has a camera linked to the Chartplotter, just a swipe to switch the display to camera view.
However, it's usefulness at showing objects on water is limited, with it being quite hard to see the tender at 100 yards.
I'm assuming it's because it's a security CCTV camera in a waterproof housing, not particularly optimised for the purpose you're intending.

Hi D3,
Garmin VIRB, The Theta and Insta are pretty close to this. Just left click and drag around for 360 deg view. You can change the resolution up to the max 2160 resolution with the cog icon in the lower right hand corner. Mute the audio if sensitive ears :).
?si=-WxNKRMKETet2kvQ

Why are they gesticulating at the boat to windward - it looks like get out of my wind?

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Kankama said..
Why are they gesticulating at the boat to windward - it looks like get out of my wind?

Hiya Kankama,
Nah, it was some bet about who would be the wettest and be shouting beers at the bar at the finish :)