I don't own one. Was simply enjoying the thought of eliminating a pest while acting undisturbed.
Drone question
- Thread starter Meriachee
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OK, smitty, ya got me there.Stu, this is the first time I have seen you take a pro-gun position.
I wonder how those things would react to a good old fashioned sling shot?
OK, I'll go with the slingshot. Guess I'll have to
a) ask on a boating forum since this is inherently, now, a boating issue; obviously, the same surgeons elastic used for sheet to tiller steering must be used
b) go to streetoutlaws.com or kiddiesatplay.com for construction instructions
c) Google aha!
When small airplanes or helicopters fly overhead, do you pull out your shotgun and blast away? Dinghies buzzing by making noise with an outboard AND plowing a nice wake should get shot at too, right?
This is some of the dumbest commentary I've seen in a long time.
This is some of the dumbest commentary I've seen in a long time.
all in jest
It does however cause us to pause and think about what we may be doing to disturb our neighbors. People do seem to be polarized over these things.
Ken
I think it was just for chuckles. We don't normally see anyone pull out weapons while at anchor.
It does however cause us to pause and think about what we may be doing to disturb our neighbors. People do seem to be polarized over these things.
Ken
Airplanes, helicopters, dinghys come and go. PWC and now drones that just buzz around in circles ad infinitum are a pita and should be dealt with accordingly.
I agree with this comment and was about to post the same (even recognizing that many folks were probably just having fun with their comments).
Should we ban general aviation because the pilot or a passenger may have a camera? Shall the FAA require that all commercial aircraft remove their windows and require their passengers to fly in the enclosed fuselage at all times? After all, full-size general aviation and commercial aircraft are inherently capable of lofting heavier cameras and long-range optics, than are a hobbyist-scale multi-rotor with a GoPro attached.
Also as someone stated, jamming electromagnetic signals is a federal crime in most cases in the United States.
Check out some videos online - the wide angle shots are amazing, including quite a few sailors who use theirs to get amazing footage of their boats.
I totally agree that people should not fly them over people, private property, prohibited areas, etc. And as someone here said, the AMA very specifically states these rules for their members.
I do not own a multi-rotor by the way, though they do seem cool to me. I've flown RC airplanes for years.
I think most of us would agree (all of us?) that things that are annoying, are annoying. And things that are dangerous, are dangerous. A small multi-rotor with a GoPro being operated safely and legally ... does that really qualify as annoying to you? Is the problem, then, your problem, or the guy-who-is-safely-and-legally-enjoying-his-legal-hobby's problem?
And as a technical point, which has been totally lost by "journalists" in "the media" - a "drone" is something capable of autonomous flight, no input from the operator on the ground, OR is controllable beyond line-of-sight (and hence has a degree of autonomy from the operator on the ground). The things you see buzzing around these days are multi-rotor RC aircraft and the vast majority of them are hobbyist-grade. Or that used to be the definition of "drone" among hobbyists; obviously language is a living thing and definitions evolve over time.
Sorry, that is obviously more than you asked for, OP.
Happy Thursday/Friday to all!
Besides, the Great Lakes are a giant ice cube, the leafs haven't won a game this year, what else are we going to complain about. We've already discussed anchors and coffee.
.and as a professional you're also looking at it from a much different perspective than we are.
Thank you for all of your responses.
Now I’d like to offer the qualification to the poll. I am the owner of a couple of “drones”, a term that is as loose in it’s application as “sailboat”.
The device that incited the poll is a carbon fibre, 6 motor platform, with a compass, and GPS that appears to put the RayMarine stuff to shame, and a pretty serious flight controller that will allow the thing to fulfill it’s purpose as a video platform unlike anything that I’ve ever owned.
What I intend to use the thing for is to get 4k video of sailboats, and have a platform that can keep up to them in (hopefully) most environments.
What I find interesting is the majority of the commentary about target practise. Over 100 feet away, you can’t even hear the thing. In an anchorage, how is this different than a bunch of bored teenagers in a dinghy, burning through a tank of fuel, or for that matter, the dreaded jet ski?
Would your opinion change if you got a copy of a video of your boat under sail from a perspective that you would never have the ability to get any other way? I bet it would.
The majority of the comments were negative, and what must be considered is that the question was clearly stated as “unqualified”. I did not ask in the light that I wanted to, just to see what the reaction was, and I find that it mirrors the general public perception.
It’s interesting that the possibilities of the technology are rarely taken into account of something new, and the few idiots out there who would park it by your window put a pretty bad light on it for those of us who actually see potential in it.
With the exception of Mr Bill, who might be in line for a cup of ice “dropping in” while he’s napping in the cockpit, I seriously doubt that it’ll provide any cause for firearms. I have to admit that the rationale for using up expired flares has some appeal though. There’s always a jetski.
Here's a test of the smaller one with the GoPro4 from a few weeks back.
http://youtu.be/Uwcg2HdU-n8
We’ll see what the thing delivers up this summer.
Cheers
Gary
Now I’d like to offer the qualification to the poll. I am the owner of a couple of “drones”, a term that is as loose in it’s application as “sailboat”.
The device that incited the poll is a carbon fibre, 6 motor platform, with a compass, and GPS that appears to put the RayMarine stuff to shame, and a pretty serious flight controller that will allow the thing to fulfill it’s purpose as a video platform unlike anything that I’ve ever owned.
What I intend to use the thing for is to get 4k video of sailboats, and have a platform that can keep up to them in (hopefully) most environments.
What I find interesting is the majority of the commentary about target practise. Over 100 feet away, you can’t even hear the thing. In an anchorage, how is this different than a bunch of bored teenagers in a dinghy, burning through a tank of fuel, or for that matter, the dreaded jet ski?
Would your opinion change if you got a copy of a video of your boat under sail from a perspective that you would never have the ability to get any other way? I bet it would.
The majority of the comments were negative, and what must be considered is that the question was clearly stated as “unqualified”. I did not ask in the light that I wanted to, just to see what the reaction was, and I find that it mirrors the general public perception.
It’s interesting that the possibilities of the technology are rarely taken into account of something new, and the few idiots out there who would park it by your window put a pretty bad light on it for those of us who actually see potential in it.
With the exception of Mr Bill, who might be in line for a cup of ice “dropping in” while he’s napping in the cockpit, I seriously doubt that it’ll provide any cause for firearms. I have to admit that the rationale for using up expired flares has some appeal though. There’s always a jetski.
Here's a test of the smaller one with the GoPro4 from a few weeks back.
http://youtu.be/Uwcg2HdU-n8
We’ll see what the thing delivers up this summer.
Cheers
Gary
Attachments
As long as they aren't racing them... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zDDsX5xYcA
Ron20324... top right of that link.
Ron20324... top right of that link.
Yes, a complete PITA, in an anchorage, in the hands of an idiot.
However ................ the photography in the youtube video is mind boggling.
Reminds me exactly of years past in the Jenneau brochures where they had topless models laying out in the cockpit and diving off the stern. Though those pics were probably from the top of the mast, it could be an preview of things to come..
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Your original question asked about drones in an anchorage or marina, not using a drone to film your sailboat under sail. I would gladly pay someone to have the boat videoed under sail, I think it would be a cool idea. They would also be valuable in many other applications. Having one "drone" around an anchorage endlessly is not one of the applications I can think would be beneficial.
If you had asked what we thought about PWC in an anchorage I would have responded the same as I did above..... target practice. A PWC does however make a great dinghy substitute in our area as we have thousands of islands to explore and would be easier and faster on a pwc with a shallower draft.
You would have received the same varying responses had you asked what do you think about anchors.
BTW, Canada is already putting restrictions on them depending on weight of the UAV ( unmanned air vehicle ) and / or if using for commercial purpose.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm?WT.mc_id=1zfhj#safety
Its also illegal in the US. Any commercial application requires specific permission from the FAA, so you can not pay someone for photos of your boat. The photos must be free. That may change in the future, but for now, one any commercial use is prohibited.
As far as the annoyance, A simple fly by, even close up is not unreasonable, as long as you generally keep moving. Now if you are going to be a gnat, then out comes the water cannons. If you are in range, then you are too close. I have to think a water cannon would knock one out of the sky without doing any harm to those around you. I would think the operator would get the hint pretty quick.
I'd just about give my left one to have one of those. (The problem there is no market for what I have to trade.) I guess they're sorta like red meat. Used in moderation they're good. I've never seen one in person but dang the results I've seen are fantastic. You won't see me shooting one down until they really do become like jet skis. Paladin27 has done some fantastic work with his.
I dunno... around Annapolis on a weekend there is a chopper that flies all over the bay taking pictures of boats. Then they track you down (by state #, i guess) and send you their sales pitch. We had them come over and take pics of our 65-boat raftup a few years back.
There is a cute new car commercial with drones. Look- up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a target! Just kidding, folks. The commercial came on during a Superman show.
There is a cute new car commercial with drones. Look- up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a target! Just kidding, folks.
The commercial came on during a Superman show.