THOSE OF US WITH BOATS IN THE MED

[mcanderson]

Very good! Which model?

Mavic mini. I figure if I ditch a £400 drone I won’t cry as much as a £1000 drone.

Tried to get some footage in the Lerins, but the seagulls kept dive bombing my drone!

 

[Bouba]

After three days at sea we returned home on an absolutely beautiful flat sea. Even had a water bombing plane buzz us. It’s been sweltering, occasionally a little unpleasant from wakes because I have to refind my sealegs. But a great start to the season. Wish you were here

 

[markc]

New toy. Be kind!

Looks good. I've been toying with the idea of getting a drone, but I have a fear that the Gendarmerie will (a) shoot it down, and (b) throw me in the clink. I looked at this map last year Géoportail

 

[mcanderson]

Looks good. I've been toying with the idea of getting a drone, but I have a fear that the Gendarmerie will (a) shoot it down, and (b) throw me in the clink. I looked at this map last year Géoportail

Mark,

The DJI has a database that will not allow you to fly if there are airspace restrictions. You can unlock some of these if required, but not all of them. It’s idiot proof and at under 250g you don’t need to register it.

 

[Hurricane]

I treated myself to a Mavic Mini earlier this year.
Well, in fact, it was a Christmas Present from SWMBO.
I've had 2 Mavic Pros (one died whilst it was swimming but thats another story).
So, that leaves me with one Mavic Pros and a Mavic Mini - oh yes and the old Phantom 3.

If I was to have only one drone, it would probably be the Mavic Pro but I think I will be using the Mavic Mini a lot more than the Mavic Pro.
The Mini is a fantastic drone.
Your footage above is a bit jerky but that must be to do with Youtube or something in your post processing.
On paper, the Mavic Mini isn't as good as the Mavic Pro but the quality of the output is great for such a small drone.
I just chuck my Mini into my bag before I go anywhere (well at lease before this virus crisis).
They say that the best camera is the one that you actually have with you and the Mini certainly fits that bill.
Like you, one of the reasons I bought it was because I've been through the disappointment when the drone crashed into the sea.
At least the Mini doesn't cost that much.

Also, the new regs that are in place mean that you have to have a licence for drones bigger than 250 grams.
So, how heavy is the Mini?? - it is printed on the side - yes its 249 grams!!!!.
All this doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules of flying - you do - and there is a strict Drone Code of Practice.
I did the test and have properly registered.
The test isn't onerous - you do it on line.
You can have the question open in one window and the answers in the other.
And guess what - I got one wrong!! so I have to hold my head in shame!!!

EDIT
Yes the birds can be a problem.
I've never had one attack the drone but they certainly get flustered by it.

 

[julians]

With things becoming clearer regarding travel to spain and the fact that I don't have a job, I've decided to bring forward our flights to 4th July, so just booked on with Ryanair, hopefully will be plain sailing from here.

 

[markc]

Mark,

The DJI has a database that will not allow you to fly if there are airspace restrictions. You can unlock some of these if required, but not all of them. It’s idiot proof and at under 250g you don’t need to register it.

Sold! One on the way, plus the insurance in case I lose it in the drink

 

[Hurricane]

I wasn't going to post this - absolutely nothing to do with the Med but it was during lock down.
You also have to remember that a lot of people who live in Devon are OLD
Also, we were trying to socially distance.

But my point of posting this is that the second video clip was the Mavic Pro - the rest of the drone shots were taken with the Mavic Mini.
If you make sure that your Youtube setting is set to HD and run it in full screen, you will see that the quality from this little drone is really great.

 

[andy59]

Excellent video Hurricane ?

 

[TrondS]

The DJI has a database that will not allow you to fly if there are airspace restrictions. You can unlock some of these if required, but not all of them. It’s idiot proof and at under 250g you don’t need to register it.

This database is incomplete and absolutely not fool proof!
It sometimes indicates there are no restrictions even above the airport itself, or shows restrictions where there are no official flight restrictions.

I have reported several of these errors to DJI, but at least for one airport here in Norway, their correction made the error even worse than it was.

If in doubt, it is always best to contact the local air traffic control tower and ask.

 

[Hurricane]

If in doubt, it is always best to contact the local air traffic control tower and ask.

Not sure I agree with that.
Just follow the Drone Code.
See here:-
https://dronesafe.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Drone-Code_October2019.pdf
And, for the UK, these restrictions.
Airfield restrictions - Dronesafe
There are also local restrictions around places of scientific interest - Cabrera and the Ebro Delta in Spain are examples.
I'm not sure that local air traffic would know the local restrictions around places of scientific interest.

BTW
Have you updated your DJI No Fly Zone database.
It is continually being added to so needs updating regularly.

 

[Truro Ex Pat]

Can I just go back to St Tropez any ideas on the coast of a 18 m berth for a night, I tried to email previously but got no reply so assume its a phone call or can you tie up on fuel station and try your luck that way to get in?
Good tip on being early.
Thanks

 

[jrudge]

Can I just go back to St Tropez any ideas on the coast of a 18 m berth for a night, I tried to email previously but got no reply so assume its a phone call or can you tie up on fuel station and try your luck that way to get in?
Good tip on being early.
Thanks

Most sof marinas require you to contact on the radio before entering. St Trop included ( or was last time I was there )

 

[Portofino]

It’s about €100 for 15 M , so just inflate that proportionally .
Either way in works ....radio ahead or use the fuel + walk ( send the Admiral to flutter eyelashes. ) .
Cogalin tends to have room , it’s ok if really need to be @ at dock ...for 2/3 the price .
Port Grimaud costs as much but it’s a bit artificial like Disney parks . Campers nearby flood in at night and bomb it out .Its saving grace is it’s beach next to the visitors berths at the entrance.
The river that seperates the two ( marshy = think mozzies ) moves sand a lot in flood .Some times the buoys aren't properly positioned.....so hold off a bit and see which way the locals go in / out .....Grimaud or Gogolin .

 

[mcanderson]

Can I just go back to St Tropez any ideas on the coast of a 18 m berth for a night, I tried to email previously but got no reply so assume its a phone call or can you tie up on fuel station and try your luck that way to get in?
Good tip on being early.
Thanks

Prices here https://www.portsainttropez.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/01/Tarif-2020_UK.pdf
link to port here Saint-Tropez port

We just call on channel 9 approaching the port ie about to enter. Any earlier and we are told to call back at the entrance. Very friendly port staff and watch your wife with the port boat boys. My wife follows them around!

 

[Hurricane]

Please excuse my ignorance.
The Daily Rate is obvious (I expect there are extras).
But what are the CONTRACT columns (the orange coloured columns)?

 

[mcanderson]

The only extra we get charged is taxe d’sejour (stay tax) a couple of euro.

Some ports offer 6 month contracts and the orange columns are those prices. There might be a bit of a wait list.....

 

[Hurricane]

The only extra we get charged is taxe d’sejour (stay tax) a couple of euro.

Some ports offer 6 month contracts and the orange columns are those prices. There might be a bit of a wait list.....

Bit of a strange pricing strategy making the 6 month price just short of double the annual price.
Who in their right mind would choose a 6 month contract when 12 months is cheaper.
Or maybe you are saying that the 12 month contracts aren't really offered due to demand.
In which case that is a VERY devious strategy to get inflated 6 month contracts instead.
If that is the case, I'm not sure I would want to deal with that kind of company.

 

[Chris H]

Bit of a strange pricing strategy making the 6 month price just short of double the annual price.
Who in their right mind would choose a 6 month contract when 12 months is cheaper.
Or maybe you are saying that the 12 month contracts aren't really offered due to demand.
In which case that is a VERY devious strategy to get inflated 6 month contracts instead.
If that is the case, I'm not sure I would want to deal with that kind of company.

I’m not sure about the other parts of sof but in that area there are huge hangers/fields that shrink wrap and store boats over the winter.

 

[Chris H]

Yup ! Also the ram seals , there hygiene is important.So maybe best with Arnies to pre arrange a diver , before the boat moves
We have a guy in La Nap he is always busy in the season works all day light hrs , has a special round scraper and wire brush for rams .
In the yard pre season I often see them removed taken away and re sealed as a sort of annual maintenance thing ....those big rams with Arnies .The thing it’self left resting on blocks for a few days while the rest of the boat is antifouled .

Interested to hear from ChrisH as time rolls buy what the true Arnie experience is like maintenance wise .
Having said that I have a mate with a one off SHawk 48 made by S/Sker with twin Cetek 700s and Arnesons.Not to be confused with the std Trimax / Yanmar 440 s set up .He like me does his own “ annual “ ( has the time ) and once I helped him in the yard do his ram seals .Its not difficult, just messy and fiddly with tiny hex studs removing the end caps .Equally messy bleeding the air out when refilling the system .The oil I recall works out expensive as you have to flush out the old stuff for fear of contamination.
A lot of pipes with O rings to deal with too .My lasting memories are just being blathered in hydraulic oil from dawn until dusk .
Happy days

When I was in the hunt 2014 , the Greek financial crisis was full on , folks rioting and shooting bank staff etc , there was a 46 with the same V8 , 800s as you and ChrisH .....with Arnies based in Athens !!
Nice broker did his best but etc to lure me over but apart from the local political situation, ( which I knew would blow over ) I had nagging back of mind doubts re the maintenance and William on here PYB steered me towards the 42/48 variant with the I6 s .

So I figured the guys who collected me from the airport in Naples , black suits dark glasses ......in a 7 series and took me to the marina were a less risky proposition .In the end my judgement ( on who to buy one off ) was correct .

But I always wonder what if ? .............

Arenesons already saved me the cost of a diver or lift out, they are so near the surface I’ve replaced the non existant old anodes and given them a good clean with a mask & snorkel.