Without going into too much detail...our boat is docked about 40 minutes from our house on the west end of Lake Erie... I just wondered if anyone has any experience with setting up a weatherproof webcam that can be controlled by a home computer to monitor the boat? It would be interesting to simply pull up a real time camera view of the boat from home. Also, being on the west end of the lake, and having a fixed dock, I am always concerned about strong winds and water levels (and hoping my docklines are set right for the conditions). I was curious to know if this could be done relatively inexpensively. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
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Reletively easy to do, need coperation
This is not too difficult nor expensive to do anymore. The issue is a place to put a camera , and a computer w/fairly quick, always on network access. We have set this up in our yard to try it out and it works just fine. If you have further interest, let me know.
This is not too difficult nor expensive to do anymore. The issue is a place to put a camera , and a computer w/fairly quick, always on network access. We have set this up in our yard to try it out and it works just fine. If you have further interest, let me know.
Get a remote PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) camera
... that way your neighbor 3 boats down can use it too!!
... that way your neighbor 3 boats down can use it too!!
Our marina thougth about it...
and decided not to do it. Do you really want others to see what is going on - on the dock! Your wife can check to see if you have snuck off or worse.
Other than the possible comedy that could come of this. I would like to be able to check on the boat when we are having heavy weather and high tides. Our marina is isolated and the phone lines slow, plus if the marina got the cable service they would triple the price since they would claim it is commerical use. Jim S/V Java
and decided not to do it. Do you really want others to see what is going on - on the dock! Your wife can check to see if you have snuck off or worse.
Other than the possible comedy that could come of this. I would like to be able to check on the boat when we are having heavy weather and high tides. Our marina is isolated and the phone lines slow, plus if the marina got the cable service they would triple the price since they would claim it is commerical use. Jim S/V Java
Don't need a computer
Tony Z. is right about finding a location but you no longer need a dedicated computer. You can buy a camera now that will obtain an IP address automatically and then has a mini web interface that you can get to via the internet. If you have a broadband connection at your dock, plug one of these into the data jack and determine what IP it gets. It should keep the same IP for a while barring any interference from the marina or ISP. You will probably need a laptop to initially configure it. I would probably attach it to the bow pulpit with a bracket so you can remove when sailing. Tim R.
Tony Z. is right about finding a location but you no longer need a dedicated computer. You can buy a camera now that will obtain an IP address automatically and then has a mini web interface that you can get to via the internet. If you have a broadband connection at your dock, plug one of these into the data jack and determine what IP it gets. It should keep the same IP for a while barring any interference from the marina or ISP. You will probably need a laptop to initially configure it. I would probably attach it to the bow pulpit with a bracket so you can remove when sailing. Tim R.
Better still,
Don't remove it,,,move it. When sailing lower it under water and watch for weeds on the keel or other 'go slow' conditions. Huh? Sound good?! Can you imagine what Slocum would say?
Don't remove it,,,move it. When sailing lower it under water and watch for weeds on the keel or other 'go slow' conditions. Huh? Sound good?! Can you imagine what Slocum would say?
phone line
Technology has moved on since I retired from this business but this might be helpful: A normal telephone line will transmit pictures, A dedicated computer at the dock need not be anywhere near "state of the art" you just need a video card and a phone modem. You can dial the dock from your home PC and look around. Weatherproof chip cameras that go into auto infrared mode after dark are cheap now. Good luck
Technology has moved on since I retired from this business but this might be helpful: A normal telephone line will transmit pictures, A dedicated computer at the dock need not be anywhere near "state of the art" you just need a video card and a phone modem. You can dial the dock from your home PC and look around. Weatherproof chip cameras that go into auto infrared mode after dark are cheap now. Good luck
hmmm, all interesting suggestions...
however I have neither phone lines or internet high speed at the boat (basically just shore power and water). I'm wondering if you couldn't find a camera with WI-FI capabilities (or camera/laptop etc...). PS to Brian H...If you let me use your dinghy, I'll let use my cam (if I ever get one)...
however I have neither phone lines or internet high speed at the boat (basically just shore power and water). I'm wondering if you couldn't find a camera with WI-FI capabilities (or camera/laptop etc...). PS to Brian H...If you let me use your dinghy, I'll let use my cam (if I ever get one)...
And I thought this was a sailing BBS
Buy a sub to a satelite imaging company and have them send you a picture every 90 min or so. You could get all the slip owners together to share the cost.
Buy a sub to a satelite imaging company and have them send you a picture every 90 min or so. You could get all the slip owners together to share the cost.
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