Optional Equipment

Equipment I think would be good to have to document the adventure....

Drone Cameras: at least two plus parts

With the new top-of-the-line models like Phantom, not only do you get HD video, they can auto-home when batteries are low.  This could make for some spectacular shots while underway, as long as it could handle the wind.  (Phantom specs say top speed is 20 m/s, that is 72 km/h so it should!)

Fixed cameras on board.

There are times when everyone will be busy doing the needed work aboard and nobody will be able to man a camera.  From what I have read, most people would like to see footage of challenging conditions.  Since challenging conditions are, well, challenging, few are normally recorded.  With a few fixed cameras and a DVR video server the entire experience would be captured for editing.  I have a few cameras, I would need to get a couple night vision ones as well.

A robust computer times two (or more?)

Humidity plays havoc on electronics.  So does salt water.  I would think having a solid working machine for navigation/auto-pilot/mapping that backed up every half hour (or so) to a remote drive would be good.  I think that a spare machine that would be powered down in a water tight case and mirrored to the active machine once a day would be prudent as well.  I'll have to read more about how others are doing the management of electronics, since I am not experienced in the marine environment and what "I think" might be truly laughable at this point. :-)

Duplicate mission-critical electronics?

Be it GPS, alternator or other critical electronic bit, at least one back-up stowed safely away in a water tight box.  Electronic bits also in a Faraday cage? Overkill?  Maybe....

Just 'cause, sunspots happen....

Diving Equipment

I'm uncertain how others are managing dive gear on board.  Tanks would take up lots of space, and re-certification could be a challenge? Yes?  I don't know.  What about filling tanks?  An on-board compressor sounds like an answer, but that could be a HUGE power drain!  I've seen a couple boats for sale with engine driven compressors for this, but do not know how common they are.  More research will be required.  There is also the matter of a good underwater camera.  Or two.  Maybe video.  There is the GoPro option, might be a place to start.  It looks like there are a few places that could help with equipment and training.   Backscatter looks like a place to checkout dive operated gear, while SeaViewer looks like a starting place for remote viewing equipment.  I suppose it will come down to budget ability in the end.  Once we are underway we could hold a crowd-source campaign to get some gear.  Couldn't hurt to try.  Maybe sell seats for different dive sites?



I'm sure there are other items that I do not know about yet that will be required or will make life that much better.  I am still at the stage of ignorant incompetence about much of cruising; meaning that I do not know what I don't know.  That will change as I study the needed skills.

For now, dumping "stuff" into the bin is the challenge.....

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