Backup Camera

[b_arrington]

Looking for a backup camera solution for a 1998 270 DA with an aluminum fishing arch. Any suggestions?

Wanting to install this for a family member's boat to aid in backing into a slip. Currently they have small Garmin GPS unit installed on the dash just behind the wheel. It's a 7" or 9" unit, not sure of the model yet. I may be able to install something like a GC 200 camera, but it's about $500 plus figuring out how to attach it, perhaps to the arch.

Any other suggestions for a backup camera? SIMPLE operation is an important consideration.

Current layout of the dash. I have a new set of burl panels on the way from Flounder Pounder.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Brad, I hate to rain on your parade but let me give you some food for thought.

I always backed my boats into the slips even though I couldn't see the stern because the cockpit bimini prevented me from seeing the stern. I did it standing up at the helm, facing the stern, using my right hand to use the shifters.

If I had a backup camera I think I'd have found it to be nothing more than a distraction that would keep me from focusing on the direction the boat is going.

$.02

 

[bbwhitejr]

I would 2nd that. Had one on a 44DB with very little visibility out the rear of the swim platform, but open the transom door and could see one corner. That was enough and way better than the camera...again, just my $0.02 also.

I am sure some have them and swear by them.

Bennett

 

[JimG]

These 270's do not have twins...

 

[Gofirstclass]

OK, so change my post above to say that I would be standing at the helm, facing the stern and using one hand to control the shifter and one hand on the wheel.

I still maintain that 100% of my attention should be on the direction the stern of the boat is going (considering any cross winds or current).

 

[Creekwood]

On a 270 they need a backup camera?
It takes a bit of practice, but have them try this:

 

[Jeremygavin]

My issue with my stern camera is that the depth perception is not good on the camera which renders it not useful to me.

 

[b_arrington]

Look guys, I know how to back in a boat. I backed my 270 AJ with the same drive type into the next slip over for several years. I also have had zero issues backing either my Back Coves and those are straight shaft singles into the slip and I can't see the back edges of the boat. But this isn't for me.

The reality is that this family member is older. He's been at a mooring for 35 years and got a spot on the dock last year. Even though he's had this boat for 16 years he's having a lot of problems backing into the slip, can't seem to find the edges properly. My admiral is hoping that adding a camera is going to help them get the boat into the slip. They need to be on the dock to continue boating because of mobility issues, and if they can't back won't be able to stay on the dock.

So then the question becomes not if to get a backup cam, but what type of cam to get.

 

[Stee6043]

Perhaps a terrible suggestion following...but it's worth a Friday afternoon shot.

Does your family member have WiFi at the marina? If so, I suggest a security camera mounted at the slip, not a backup camera on the boat. Combine something like a Nest/Arlo camera with an iPad. Get a removable/cheap mount at the helm. Hotspot the iPad (should connect automatically after the first setup).

If it were something like a Nest camera you could have the iPad running the nest app full screen. This will give a much bigger picture than a 7" chartplotter. And a much wider field of view if mounted on the dock/slip. It'll take some getting used to the perspective but it could be a much easier screen to actually use.

Just a thought. Bonus points if your family member already has an iPad...

 

[mdolesh]

Not sure of your budget, but here is an option.
https://www.tadibrothers.com/products/boat-backup-camera-7-monitor-with-mounted-box-camera#_reviews

 

[b_arrington]

Perhaps a terrible suggestion following...but it's worth a Friday afternoon shot.

Does your family member have WiFi at the marina? If so, I suggest a security camera mounted at the slip, not a backup camera on the boat. Combine something like a Nest/Arlo camera with an iPad. Get a removable/cheap mount at the helm. Hotspot the iPad (should connect automatically after the first setup).

If it were something like a Nest camera you could have the iPad running the nest app full screen. This will give a much bigger picture than a 7" chartplotter. And a much wider field of view if mounted on the dock/slip. It'll take some getting used to the perspective but it could be a much easier screen to actually use.

Just a thought. Bonus points if your family member already has an iPad...

Not a bad idea. He does have an iPad. No wifi at the marina. I have a Peplink on my boat, but it's not always there, so it would have to be something like an Arlo. I'd have to see if there is a place to mount it at the dock; is floating and not a lot of pilings. Questions for me to consider: 1 would he remember to bring it; 2 would he remember to set it up; 3 would that be simple enough to use.

 

[Stee6043]

Not a bad idea. He does have an iPad. No wifi at the marina. I have a Peplink on my boat, but it's not always there, so it would have to be something like an Arlo. I'd have to see if there is a place to mount it at the dock; is floating and not a lot of pilings. Questions for me to consider: 1 would he remember to bring it; 2 would he remember to set it up; 3 would that be simple enough to use.

I thought of that too...must be easy.

You could also deploy an iPad/Arlo both on the boat. Give the the family member their own Peplink...or a cellphone plan with hotspot? I'm just not sure how reliably a cell phone hotspot will reconnect with a camera.

 

[bbwhitejr]

This might just work....if you can work out the internet details. Here is a pic of my dock cam. It could be moved to get a better pic of the slip:

This is a screen shot so clarity is much better...

 

[Stee6043]

This might just work....if you can work out the internet details. Here is a pic of my dock cam. It could be moved to get a better pic of the slip:

This is a screen shot so clarity is much better...

View attachment 121351

One more thought...before going all-in on this type of solution and hard mounting equipment you'll want to try it out first. My Nest cameras at home have zero lag, real time. But with the WiFi at the marina there is a bit of lag there with the same cameras. Maybe even a half/full second at times. That would be exceedingly frustrating if used for backup-cam purposes.

 

[Brent Nutting]

I have a back up camera on my 480DB. I have good visibility just looking down at the swim platform, and the camera has a bit of a wide angle view so the depth perception isn't the best.
I actually use my camera mainly while underway and passengers head down from the bridge so I can keep an eye on them while they are in the cockpit. It is tied to my chart plotter and I can do a split screen. Kind of hard to tell in the pics, but I think you can get the jist.

 

[b_arrington]

Isn’t that what the wife is for? A second set of eyes helping you dock? Otherwise, she’s just ballast. I know it’s helping family but you say they not he. And this isn’t their first boat. So what is ‘she’ doing while he is having problems?

That’s been tried. Personalities and other factors have shown that won’t help.

 

[jmauld]

What about putting these on each corner of the swim deck?
https://smile.amazon.com/Hitchin-Rods-Rod/dp/B00030LM54/ref=sr_1_7

 

[RBB]

my slip is 12" wider than my beam. I installed a camera but still rely mainly on someone giving me direction.
In fact my slip is so tight that we use no fenders off the boat, but there is ones on all the truss supports. Boat actually bumps those on the rub rail.

 

[KevinC]

That’s been tried. Personalities and other factors have shown that won’t help.

Maybe he just needs one of these :

Seriously, the single engine bravo three does cause stress docking - lots of moving the steering wheel and shifters try to make adjustments. Depending on what the problems are that he is having maybe some dock mounted fenders or dock wheels will help.

-Kevin

 

[Spark600]

I had a back up camera on my previous boat that was tied into the GPS, The biggest problem I have found with it was it was more of a distraction them it helped.
If I sat in the seat an looked back docking I had to keep turning my head to the GPS to see the camera by the time I looked back to boat had moved so much I was confused and distracted, It was the same If I would stand up and face backward I would still have to turn my head and was distracted.
I think I have a solution with my new boat to me, I have purchased a backup camera with a 7" screen and I am mounting the 7" screen facing the bow next to the helm seat so when I am standing looking at the stern docking the boat all I have to do is look down a little to see the screen when I enter the poles, No distractions turning around or asking my wife if I am in the poles.