Forward View Camera

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stranded

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The (not terribly serious) thread about rear view mirrors on boats got me thinking again about mounting a forward view camera on the bow to provide quick reassurance that nothing big, quick and scary had appeared over the horizon since the last direct look around the genny - particularly as we will be putting the 150% deck sweeper back on in the spring. The idea is to monitor wirelessly either on the plotter (Raymarine E125), or iPad when below. Ideally resolution would be sufficient to have a decent chance of seeing the more obvious lobster pots. Recording is not necessary. Has anyone tried this? How did you overcome the spray on the lens - I imagine masthead mounted would sway around too much? Any recommendations for inexpensive kit. I should emphasise that this would not be instead of a physical look but when effectively single handing, I start to witter a bit about two minutes after going down below to put the kettle on. Being able to take a quick glance at the monitor to reassure myself might help, especially next year when we start to make multi day passages, might help.
 
Trouble with anything mounted on the pulpit is the range of viz, a couple of miles probably, so that needs a masthead unit, angled down . Perhaps a gimballed standard CCTV with wiper ?

I've been using a thermal imager for some work over the last three months - you cannot beat it when it's dark.


HenryF is the forum hexpert on these
 
I had one of those on our boat it was called the Mark One Eyeball, in fact I had two of them, they were generally mounted in the cockpit looking all around. There was also a second pair MOEs on board that I called Jane ;-)
 
I guess those cameras and receivers used on remote controlled model 'planes and drones could work (as in wireless and reasonably cheap);"first person viewing" I think it is called or something.

But then as most cctv cameras are 12V driven and monitors are often 12V driven fitting a hi resolution (over 1000tvl) cctv camera to front of boat and wiring back to monitor could work.

Use that water-repellent spray for car windscreens on lens?

I'm not convinced it would be much use though because being low down you will only see a few feet of the sea in front of you; to see a lobster pot and dash on deck to avoid it wouldn't work - in my opinion only.

A cctv camera with HD and IR and remote control for viewing when on a mooring and it is horrible weather outside would be a good idea though I guess?
 
Sailingsaves said:
I guess those cameras and receivers used on remote controlled model 'planes and drones could work (as in wireless and reasonably cheap);"first person viewing" I think it is called or something.

But then as most cctv cameras are 12V driven and monitors are often 12V driven fitting a hi resolution (over 1000tvl) cctv camera to front of boat and wiring back to monitor could work.

Use that water-repellent spray for car windscreens on lens?

I'm not convinced it would be much use though because being low down you will only see a few feet of the sea in front of you; to see a lobster pot and dash on deck to avoid it wouldn't work - in my opinion only.

A cctv camera with HD and IR and remote control for viewing when on a mooring and it is horrible weather outside would be a good idea though I guess?
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Some useful ideas there, thank you. It's probably more for offshore where lobster pots are less of a problem, although I have a remote control for the auto helm, so if I did spot one I could change course quickly. But it's whether a low pov would give any reasonable chance of seeing it in the first place. Take that out of the equation though, and worry only about bigger targets, then the pic has only to be 'good enough' so maybe the first thing is to try tying the wife's waterproof camera to the pushpit and see what it picks up (when she's not looking!).
 
If it helps at all .... i have already installed a camera setup to my Raymarine plotters / network. I have one pointing into the cockpit, so i can keep any eye on things from below (especially when sailing two up) - views from the chart table and in aft cabin. Another to go under the wooden seat up on the Sunbeam pulpit. Im only looking for an aid to viewing under the genoa. Wiring is a pain but PoE cameras help. Other gotchas - the Raymarine plotters only work with some specific third party cameras & the actual RM cameras are v.expensive. Had to shop around and do some trial-n-error.
 
d4raffy said:
If it helps at all .... i have already installed a camera setup to my Raymarine plotters / network. I have one pointing into the cockpit, so i can keep any eye on things from below (especially when sailing two up) - views from the chart table and in aft cabin. Another to go under the wooden seat up on the Sunbeam pulpit. Im only looking for an aid to viewing under the genoa. Wiring is a pain but PoE cameras help. Other gotchas - the Raymarine plotters only work with some specific third party cameras & the actual RM cameras are v.expensive. Had to shop around and do some trial-n-error.
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Thanks Damian - sounds like you've got it all covered. Unfortunately, by technical capability is so far behind from yours that it sounds like I might as well have a crack at rocket science in my lunch hour. PoE cameras!. I need something that I can turn on, will talk to all my kit and say 'accept?' Sounds like that might be optimistic!

Anyway - see you have strayed beyond Croatia. Wider plans still live? We are in the process of moving to a 'lock up and leave' in Devon wavt hitting the 'road' in April. On board now to prep for re-rig and new engine mounts starting tomorrow..Don't know what I did with 'all' my money before I got a boat! See you in WI if not before!
 
50 quid wireless go-pro copy In a waterproof case , only issue is you would have to drill a hole for a permanent 5v power connection . ,
 
Although we solved our problem (at some possible performance penalty partly offset by the better quality) high cut genoa, I am really intrigued by the camera ideas because our boat lacks a window in the forecabin and although I have an anchor alarm I would love to be able to eyeball the outside when I wake up as the wind rises or whatever.
 
RupertW said:
Although we solved our problem (at some possible performance penalty partly offset by the better quality) high cut genoa, I am really intrigued by the camera ideas because our boat lacks a window in the forecabin and although I have an anchor alarm I would love to be able to eyeball the outside when I wake up as the wind rises or whatever.
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Following up on Jimmcgee's go pro copy suggestion I see that they have finally brought out the one I have been waiting for so am going to start with a hero5 on a removable mount as a test of concept and so I can use for holiday vids as well.
 
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