(Mic) wrote in :

Here's an interesting idea - a Mast Camera....probably not a new
one...any comments?

http://www.dv-fansler.com/Sailing/An...ast_camera.htm

"I purchased my Morgan Out Island 41 after becoming a widower. I had
intended to sail solo most of the time and had a wonderful pilot in
the form of my RayMarine AutoPilot. But I knew I could not stay in
the cockpit forever. Being down below with a boat on AutoPilot can
and should be a little nerve racking. I could see what was to either
side of Annabelle looking out the ports. But I could not see what was
in front of me. My solution was to mount a small waterproof, low
light level, B&W camera to the top of my main mast looking forward.
There is a 4" diagonal LCD monitor mounted above the navigation
station displaying the view from the camera. The view covers from
about 50 feet ahead of Annabelle to the horizon. This wide angle view
allows me to see most all potential hazards in front of Annabelle
while I am out of the cockpit."

I must admit that I've always wanted a forward looking mast camera,
especially since I spend so much time navigating in reef strewn areas of
the Caribbean. My biggest concerns with doing this are

1) Keeping the lens clean
2) Having a display that's bright enough to see in the cockpit.
3) Worries about watching the camera instead of observing from the wheel

-- Geoff