So I had an interesting thought. Night vision wireless cameras in the bilge.

[Lasivian]

So watching sailing videos I always see a mad scramble to tear up the floor and rip tons of junk out of the bilge when they either hit something, or the bilge water alarm goes off.

But what about putting a few small wireless night vision cameras in the bilge?

Something like this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKXM2D3/ is only $30 each, very lightweight, has good night vision, and needs only USB power (500mA at 5V)

You could easily glance at the cameras and be able to see where the issue is and how bad it is before running around tearing everything apart.

Also you could take a glance anytime just to have peace of mind.

Am I nuts to consider this for some unknown reason, or has nobody else thought of it yet?

Thanks

[skyhawk]

my experience with those kinds of things is that it takes time to find the app...launch the app...wait for connection....

then sometimes there's some sort of connection failure.... try again....

and then it seems like it would be mostly a needless battery drain.

and I'd wonder how well they'd hold up in a corrosive marine environment....

(I have a doorbell camera on my home. I generally don't use it to see who's at the door...takes too long)

[dougweibel]

I don't know about your but if I go aground I'm not going to trust what I see on a camera in a dark compartment. I'm going to get in there with good light and my own eyeballs to really see what is going on.

Plus, how many cameras would you propose to put in? One to look at the apex of the bow, one at the turn of the bilge to the keel, one on the rudder post, one on the prop shaft tube, four more on the other hull of my cat, etc.... There's lots of ways things can go wrong.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Lasivian

So watching sailing videos I always see a mad scramble to tear up the floor and rip tons of junk out of the bilge when they either hit something, or the bilge water alarm goes off.

But what about putting a few small wireless night vision cameras in the bilge?

Something like this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKXM2D3/ is only $30 each, very lightweight, has good night vision, and needs only USB power (500mA at 5V)

You could easily glance at the cameras and be able to see where the issue is and how bad it is before running around tearing everything apart.


Also you could take a glance anytime just to have peace of mind.

Am I nuts to consider this for some unknown reason, or has nobody else thought of it yet?

Thanks

I think that a far better idea is to keep the cabin sole and bilge areas clean and clear of clutter.

Further I think that lifting a portion of the cabin sole to look in the bilge should not be a "mad tear". It should be a quick and easy process, normally done on a frequent basis.

Leave the gadgets home and practice good seamanship which includes a tidy vessel and frequent inspections, particularly of the bilge.

[Lasivian]

Originally Posted by wingssail

I think that a far better idea is to keep the cabin sole and bilge areas clean and clear of clutter.

Yeah, i'm sure that will happen. Right after I ride to meet a mermaid on my unicorn!

[Nauticus]

In my opinion you just can't replace a hand, ear or a mark I eyeball with technology. I'd trust myself to save myself and not rely on technology. And I'd agree with those who state the loss of time using that in an emergency when it hits the fan isn't my cup of tea. But I'm a solo sailor so I have to be doubly cautious, paranoid and safe.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by wingssail

I think that a far better idea is to keep the cabin sole and bilge areas clean and clear of clutter.

Further I think that lifting a portion of the cabin sole to look in the bilge should not be a "mad tear". It should be a quick and easy process, normally done on a frequent basis.

Leave the gadgets home and practice good seamanship which includes a tidy vessel and frequent inspections, particularly of the bilge.

100%. All through hulls especially should be easily visible and accessible. Basic safety and seamanship.

I also have a large, color diagram that shows all through hulls including the ones close to the waterline that would be submerged when the vessel is heeled. Kept in the front of a bright red, emergency folder I keep at the nav station and show to all crew members.

[Midnight Son]

Originally Posted by Nauticus

In my opinion you just can't replace a hand, ear or a mark I eyeball with technology. I'd trust myself to save myself and not rely on technology. And I'd agree with those who state the loss of time using that in an emergency when it hits the fan isn't my cup of tea. But I'm a solo sailor so I have to be doubly cautious, paranoid and safe.

+1 I like technology but I like to absolutely know, the boat is not going down.
Best wishes

[AKA-None]

If you’re dead set on this then get a dedicated wired camera and monitor setup and leave it on ready to go

[Sailmonkey]

How much time and effort are you willing to keep a bunch of cheap cameras functioning?

If your bilge is clear enough to see anything useful with a camera, why would you have a mad scramble to pull anything out to see into it?

[Don C L]

that would be a boring video. My bilge has collected nothing but dust for 60 years.

[billgewater]

Grist to the mill.
It may well be useful to place the small lens apparatus in places that you just simply can't get at or see into. Maybe put the camera on the end of a stick as well.
I have tanks under the sole and I get P..d off whenever I want to have a look under these tanks. Very difficult.

I think the suggestion has considerable merit. The ultimate use value probably depends on the boat design and the owners "care" program.

[jacktheflyer]

Originally Posted by Lasivian

So watching sailing videos I always see a mad scramble to tear up the floor and rip tons of junk out of the bilge when they either hit something, or the bilge water alarm goes off.

But what about putting a few small wireless night vision cameras in the bilge?

Something like this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKXM2D3/ is only $30 each, very lightweight, has good night vision, and needs only USB power (500mA at 5V)

You could easily glance at the cameras and be able to see where the issue is and how bad it is before running around tearing everything apart.

Also you could take a glance anytime just to have peace of mind.

Am I nuts to consider this for some unknown reason, or has nobody else thought of it yet?

Thanks

Great idea.

[jack4566]

I think you would have better luck with a set of solid state capacitive sensors. Lower power (battery power for years), longer reliability, and they could push information to your receiver right away.

[Rob_P]

Originally Posted by Don C L

that would be a boring video. My bilge has collected nothing but dust for 60 years.

I hope you at least change your bilge liners frequently.