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Nantucket to Miami, live on HelmCam

Discussion in 'Boat Shows & Yacht Watching' started by Pascal, Oct 17, 2008.

  1. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I've started the trip south from Nantucket to Miami with a 70' Johnson and my cellular Helm Cam is up and running. The views may not always be interesting on some days but tomorrow saturday we'll be running down NYC East River and into the North Cove so that should be nice to watch...

    I'll be running solo for most of the trip and will be taking it easy running reasonably short days, about 3 weeks to Miami.

    [​IMG]
    DONT refresh this forum page for latest view, instead go to http://www.sandbarhopper.com/ and click on the Helm Cam button at the top of the page to open a self refresh page...
  2. CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    The HelmCam is cool, pretty neat idea...
    but...
    you are moving that boat to Florida by yourself for the most part?
  3. rocdiver

    rocdiver Senior Member

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    That's quite a tide fluctuation you have there . . . fascinating footage :D

    Seriously though, what system are you using to transmit images? I'm assuming it is going through a cellular card on your computer?

    Is it purely for entertainment purposes or is there an ulterior motive such as recording any mishaps along the way and their possible causes?

    I think it's a great idea, by the way . . .

    ROCKY
  4. serecovery

    serecovery New Member

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    This is pretty cool stuff

    I've already bookmarked your site to keep track!!! This is something I'm dying to do. I live in North Miami and have cruised all over The Keys and the Bahamas, but an extended cruise like yours is really a dream!
  5. CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    I think this was discussed under another thread, but there are a number of captains that do deliveries solo, me for one. Been all the way from Palm Beach, FL to Rhode Island on deliveries solo. These are not the extreme, four-day, 24 hour a day runs up the coast. You plan the trip to be in a marina each night, fuel up boat and self, and then off again the next day. Usually run close to shore or inside when solo. Had some issues (i.e. clogged filters, bad fuel pump, etc) but you manage to fix on the fly and/or limp into next port. And you usually ride along with other boats that you see at the next stops, get a few phone numbers and network along the way. Unless you're crazy like me and start a trip in Rhode Island in mid November when there is ice on the shorelines. Then there is no one around until Delaware.
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I use a logitech webcam (VGA res), Active Cam Software by PYSoft (very powerful and only $20) and an ATT aircard to upload the images to my server.

    For the Google Earth/Maps tracking, i use a delorme USB GPS and GOOPS to generate and upload the KML files.

    pretty simple setup. ATT works well, high speed along most of the coast except some areas in NC.

    No ulterior/legal motives, it's just for fun. friends and family love to check on it. Owners or guests usually like to give the link to people and wave at them while on the phone. it's just a fun thing...

    yeah, i'll be alone most of the time on this trip, owner might fly in for a couple of runs here and there. taking it easy mostly to keep fuel burn down and go easy on the boat, so I'll run the Ches and the ditch
  7. CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    More power to ya.
    I wouldn't do a solo trip like this, but that's just me.
    A yacht is an awful valuable asset to take the risk of some calamity befalling the sole person aboard. Just my humble opinion :)
    Not to mention having nobody else there to lend a hand should you need it.
  8. rocdiver

    rocdiver Senior Member

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    Thanks Pascal!

    Thanks Pascal! That's exactly the info I was looking for. I would have loved to have done that for the Boss and his family over the summer when we were all over New England.

    We're headed down to the Islands now (actually the boat is headed down on Dockwise while I'm "taking care of business" in Ft Lauderdale) so Me thinks the roaming charges for that setup would be prohibitive.

    I will definitely research it and get something similar set up when we return to the east coast.

    We were just at Chelsea Piers, on the way to Newport to load on Dockwise. Lots of debris on the Hudson, keep a sharp lookout!

    Good luck on your journey and thanks for your help!!

    ROCKY
  9. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Ditto there Pascale. Hate to snap a back or have a heart attack alone with the boat moving forward. I may be able to locate a DH for you before you leave NY if you'd like me to check.
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    it will be fine... i used to fly (commercial/instrument/multi) often alone, yeah i could get a heart attack or stroke up there too. things can happen...
  11. hbyachtboy

    hbyachtboy New Member

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    Where is the boat.

    Where is the boat on Sunday October 19? I see the Nantucket Light Ship in the background.
  12. rocdiver

    rocdiver Senior Member

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    I'll jump in on this one. He's at North Cove Marina, Battery Park, South end of Manhattan.

    A long way from Nantucket.

    Although I once knew a girl from Nantucket . . . (sorry, couldn't help it) :)

    ROCKY
  13. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    hbyachtboy "Where is the boat on Sunday October 19? I see the Nantucket Light Ship in the background. "

    That lightship is usually kept over at Pier 17 on the lower east side.
  14. xdub

    xdub New Member

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    Hi Pascal,been soloing a 58'Hatt north and south for 12 years now and,have heard all the calamities that are going to befall me.I agree with you, bad things can happen but,if you worry about them you'll never leave the porch!!
    I usually take 12 days or so but once I managed 7 days but,I was younger then!!
    all the best,
    xdub
  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    58 hatt? my kind of boat :) YF, MY?

    i'm at the North Cove, next to the WTC site. we stayed put today, will probably head down to Great Kills tomorrow and leave early down the Jersey coast on tuesday unless it calms down tomorrow... 25 to 30, gusting 35 out today.
  16. xdub

    xdub New Member

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    Hi Pascal,YF great boats in all but a following sea,I still have the Wood Freeman AP,which I still think is one of the great pilots ever but,with tiny rudders it can only do so much,so I normally just let her do her thing,usually to the great amusment of any body who happens to be running with me. I don't blame you for sticking while this weather is with us,I don't care to run the Jersey coast when its blowing unless its wester'ly.I will depart CT fri am weather permitting.Have a safe trip,
    Ian
  17. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Looks like Omar is churning it up out there. I was hoping to get out from Montauk on Tuesday, but that looks like a small window. Running down the coast should be good though. I'm gonna look at Thursday for AC if I can get to the ocean. Otherwise down the sound to NY; then Cape May Friday.
    Stay safe all.
  18. xdub

    xdub New Member

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    Hey Cap.I imagine its not too pretty Montauk way,we are getting a swell up the hbr in Norwalk and,thats usually a good sign.A friend of mine arrived in the 'Balm Peach' today and had a good run leaving NY two weeks ago today,he picked up a big crowd in both Norfolk and Charleston who had been weatherbound for several days.He also gave me a heads up re a shallow spot after he passed Jarret Bay,there is a mud bank forming on the corner and he said favor the greens,check with Sea Tow,apparently they have been bust, have a safe trip,maybe I'll see you in Cape may fri.
  19. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I usually run Aligator River, but do you know where in Jarret Bay that shoal is? Sending you a PM.
  20. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    things you see floating down (or up) the Hudson.... logs, laundry bags, barges, ferries, kayaks, and ...

    I was making myself coffee on the bridge when i looked out and almost drop the can of Lavazza! I knew a British Airways Concorde was on display next to the Intrepid but i didn't expect to see it float by the Marina.

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