Examining boat bottom with GoPro

[jwnall]

I've seem a few comments here and there on various threads about using a GoPro camera for examining the bottom and props, but have never tried to do it myself. But the SO is giving me a GoPro for Christmas (don't ask me how I know!), and so it sounds like a good thing to do. What sort of equipment is needed to fasten the camera and move it around up under there? Any particular hints or comments?

 

[CPseudonym]

3/4" PVC pipe and various hose clamps and zip ties

 

[dwhatty]

3/4" PVC pipe and various hose clamps and zip ties

That should do it. Plus a few PVC elbows (45 and/or 90 degree).

 

[S41]

I just stick mine on a selfie stick. If I need a farther distance than it will go with the stick, I attach the selfie stick to a boat hook. Just checked the bottom of my boat last week this way.

You may want some way to light it. Most of the time it is too dark under the boat to get good video or photos. The camera will try to set the light meter to the lighter edges of the boat and your bottom will be dark. There are lights you can get from Amazon that will attach to the GoPro case to all hook together. Or you can just strap a waterproof flashlight to the stick.

Also, download he free software from GoPro to your computer to be able to flip the video over (if you forget to do it on the camera) or to be able to shrink the curve the fisheye lens will put on the photos or video. It is good software.

Have fun!

 

[Capt.Bill11]

I believe one of the boat/brush pole manufacturers has a mount to attach one to their boat pole.

You could always rig something yourself to work on your boat/brush pole so you don't have to carry around PVC pole just for that use.

 

[tpbrady]

I tie wrapped mine to a boat hook and it worked fine. Doing it on a sunny day in very clear water also helps.

Tom

 

[oscar]

I just stick mine on a selfie stick.

If your selfie stick is as good as mine, make sure there's a safety lanyard on it. Very easy to pop those clamps and disappear into the mud forever.....

 

[refugio]

Oh, you meant "boat" bottom. Nevermind


Keith

 

[jleonard]

Oh, you meant "boat" bottom. Nevermind

Keith

Yes, wrong forum.

 

[rwidman]

Shurehold makes an adapter to attach a camera to their brand of boat pole. It would cost more than duct tape or wire ties but it's more secure.

 

[HopCar]

As usual, Bill beat me to it, there are nice attachments to go on your brush handle. I also sell some very nice fiberglass poles that fishermen use to film fish when they get them near the boat. They should work well for examining various bottoms.

 

[HopCar]

Here you go Camera Adapter - Featured | Shurhold

 

[jwnall]

Here you go Camera Adapter - Featured | Shurhold

Thanks, Parks. Looks to me as if that will do the trick.

 

[oscar]

They should work well for examining various bottoms.

 

[jwnall]

A They should work well for examining various bottoms.

Yup. Only interested in boat bottoms, though (as the thread title now makes clear.

[SIZE=+1]Statistical studies prove that at the age of 80, there are four females for every male. Hell of a time for a guy to get odds like that.[/SIZE]

 

[rwidman]

A friend posted some videos of him running his (new to him) trawler home from Florida. I asked him what he used and it was a Mobius camera often used in remote controlled airplanes.

I checked around and ended up buying one rather than a Go Pro or any of the Go Pro knockoffs.

It's not waterproof so it can't be used to check a boat's hull, but clamped to the windscreen or a rail, it makes some pretty neat videos while underway. If the camera will get splashed, a waterproof case or a different brand would be best.

My point is, these small video cameras have other uses on a boat.

 

[refugio]

A friend posted some videos of him running his (new to him) trawler home from Florida. I asked him what he used and it was a Mobius camera often used in remote controlled airplanes.
...
My point is, these small video cameras have other uses on a boat.

I bought a Möbius more than a year ago for my RC Logger EYE One Extreme but have yet to use it there. 99% of the time it's my dashcam, though I also used it in time lapse mode mounted to the ceiling looking down on a cake that we took turns frosting for a baby shower. Set to music, it turned out awesome.


Keith

 

[AusCan]

You can always use a drone.

 

[chester613]

Please, everyone should buy a GoPro. My stock is taking a beating! How am I ever going to retire?

 

[User915]

Ha ha

Yup. Only interested in boat bottoms, though (as the thread title now makes clear.

[SIZE=+1]Statistical studies prove that at the age of 80, there are four females for every male. Hell of a time for a guy to get odds like that.[/SIZE]

Funny !!

 

[what_barnacles]

LOL big baby, get in the water and look. That 15' bull shark is way more afraid of you that you are of it.

 

[what_barnacles]

Yup. Only interested in boat bottoms, though (as the thread title now makes clear.

[SIZE=+1]Statistical studies prove that at the age of 80, there are four females for every male. Hell of a time for a guy to get odds like that.[/SIZE]

Now you know why they gave us viagra before a baldness cure. Priorities.

 

[fstbttms]

The propblem with GoPro (or similar) cameras is that you can't see what the camera sees until after you pull it out of the water. This is what I use for quick inspections without getting wet- video or stills, color or B&W, in real time, all on your smartphone. About $250:

http://www.vexilar.com/pages/mobile-app-help#fish

BTW- also attached to a Shurhold telescoping pole.