Backup Camera

[Skybolt]

Brad, Try using a non marine backup "Car" camera, but one that has the lines on it. Something like this, pretty much what @Spark600 posted, but wireless and a link: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Obs...7&sr=1-3-ae73ecff-0419-4eaa-bde6-0ef9964c802d

Wireless and possibly could be mounted directly on the transom for the same backup view as in a car. That maybe more comforting while backing up.

 

[fwebster]

I run several boats for others at our marina when I'm in town and they are not…..mostly sea trials after mechanical work is done and putting their boats back in the slip after a haul-out for bottom work. All of these have rear view cameras displayed thru Raymarine, Garmin or Simrad MFD's: 610DA, 580DA, (2) 480DB's and one 55 Viking sport fisher and a 54 Hattaras. None of the views thru the back up camera are satisfactory for getting oriented to a slip and backing in. It is almost like the cameras are fish-eye lenses and once the object is about 10ft behind t he comers, you lose definition.

I've got nosey neighbors in Florida and to keep an eye on what is going on with the house cleaner, the yard folks and the neighbors who insist on using my trash can instead of their own, I installed an set of 4 Arlo cameras and the images I get on my phone from those cameras are far superior to any back up cameras on the boats I run. Worth considering if you can handle the learning curve with an older family member and deal with the WI-FI part of a security type camera system.

Youve done this long enough that I'm not going to try to tell you how to back a boat into a slip.

One thing I have experienced that I will pass on is that Sea Ray has one particular model/design that you cannot normally see the stern while at the controls trying to back into a slip. The 40DB leaves you blind unless you open the bridge access hatch. With it open you can lean over and see the port stern corner well enough to put the outboard piling against the rub rail just inside the transom corner. Then you just back in while keeping the port rub rail against the piling until the boat is inside the outboard pilings on both sides. You might try teaching your family member that the rub rails are there to protect the boat and how to use them to his advantage.

 

[Tripsdad]

I agree with Frank on teaching him how to use the pilings. When I had a single engine bow rider I was always stressed at the end of the day knowing I had to back into a slip. That said I knew if I could get my stern past the poles I could use them to pivot in. Unfortunately this was in a high and dry and I would sometimes come in with 40’ Go Fasts on either side with their bows 12’ past the poles. I would do it but never really got comfortable backing in with a single.

 

[jmauld]

My dock doesn’t have pilings at the end of fingers. I pissed off the dock master by installing dock rollers.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I'll be backing in with my 390DA once I finally get it north. I have pilings at the end of the dock as well as open side. Once the transom is past them I suspect I'll be able to just glide it in. No current, just wind to contend with.

 

[alnav]

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.

View attachment 121349

Brad, you might try the Garmin GC 100 wireless camera

If the MFD is capable, no wiring needed other than a power connection. The wireless connection is pretty easy to set up and a "Favorites" button can be set up to provide easy access to the picture when needed. I have one for the ER I'm going to install but have tested the camera. Not super definition compared to others but it could provide a simple way to see if having a camera can help.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/591555

 

[Tripsdad]

I'll be backing in with my 390DA once I finally get it north. I have pilings at the end of the dock as well as open side. Once the transom is past them I suspect I'll be able to just glide it in. No current, just wind to contend with. View attachment 121403

You should be fines with twins.

 

[b_arrington]

I agree with Frank on teaching him how to use the pilings. When I had a single engine bow rider I was always stressed at the end of the day knowing I had to back into a slip. That said I knew if I could get my stern past the poles I could use them to pivot in. Unfortunately this was in a high and dry and I would sometimes come in with 40’ Go Fasts on either side with their bows 12’ past the poles. I would do it but never really got comfortable backing in with a single.

Trouble with the piling is that there are none to use. There’s a single piling at the end of the floating finger but it’s not usable for pivoting. Installing a dock wheel at the end is a possibility.

If it were a single narrow slp it would actually be better. As it is, it’s shared with a other boat. There have already been several near misses and a rub or two. I don’t want my dock neighbor to have any issues.

Here’s a pic of the dock. Yellow line is their slip.

 

[Stee6043]

Trouble with the piling is that there are none to use. There’s a single piling at the end of the floating finger but it’s not usable for pivoting. Installing a dock wheel at the end is a possibility.

If it were a single narrow slp it would actually be better. As it is, it’s shared with a other boat. There have already been several near misses and a rub or two. I don’t want my dock neighbor to have any issues.

Here’s a pic of the dock. Yellow line is their slip.

View attachment 121410

Sheesh...don't they have wind there? I can't see anything in that picture that would hold my boat in place when a good blow comes through? Let alone when I get a little "full contact" when docking. I can see why this is not the most ideal...

 

[techmitch]

Trouble with the piling is that there are none to use. There’s a single piling at the end of the floating finger but it’s not usable for pivoting. Installing a dock wheel at the end is a possibility.

If it were a single narrow slp it would actually be better. As it is, it’s shared with a other boat. There have already been several near misses and a rub or two. I don’t want my dock neighbor to have any issues.

Here’s a pic of the dock. Yellow line is their slip.

View attachment 121410

Is that a common (for both boats on either side of the finger) cleat half way down his finger pier?

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Trouble with the piling is that there are none to use. There’s a single piling at the end of the floating finger but it’s not usable for pivoting. Installing a dock wheel at the end is a possibility.

If it were a single narrow slp it would actually be better. As it is, it’s shared with a other boat. There have already been several near misses and a rub or two. I don’t want my dock neighbor to have any issues.

Here’s a pic of the dock. Yellow line is their slip.

View attachment 121410

Personally, I'd be looking for a different location.

 

[b_arrington]

Is that a common (for both boats on either side of the finger) cleat half way down his finger pier?

Each boat has its own set of cleats on either side of the of the finger dock.

 

[b_arrington]

Personally, I'd be looking for a different location.

Not happening. They’ve been at this marina same place for 35 years and I’ve been there 20; the owners look out for us. There is very limited dockage in this area; town docks have 15 year wait lists.

 

[MoonRiver]

Outside the box thought; depending how often this boater goes out could you or others meet him at a curtesy dock and do some pilot duties and park it for him? I have been known to jump on someone's boat to either provide guidance or park it for them on occasion. Not the most ideal but just a thought. Given the assumption he isn't getting any younger or more mobile.

 

[b_arrington]

Outside the box thought; depending how often this boater goes out could you or others meet him at a curtesy dock and do some pilot duties and park it for him? I have been known to jump on someone's boat to either provide guidance or park it for them on occasion. Not the most ideal but just a thought. Given the assumption he isn't getting any younger or more mobile.

My wife and I were talking about this yesterday. We might have to do some of that. The complication is he’s retired and go out whenever. I work, and have kids with sports stuff so availability is an issue.

I’m starting to think I’m going to have to do some hands on training on how to get into the slip. As I discussed with my wife, he’s just doing it wrong. I know exactly why he’s not getting into the slip and it’s because he’s trying to make a 90 degree turn while backing s B3 drive vs turning then backing straight. I tried to make some gentle suggestions about showing/helping. It might be time for all involved to be more direct and just say “you’re doing it wrong”.

Even though it was my wife’s request, after the discussing she admitted a backup cam alone likely won’t help.

 

[Stee6043]

Since you had planned on spending some cash anyway, and now you're leaning toward hands-on training, why not throw some money at some enhanced fenders like others have mentioned? Make it so he can drive that boat right into the dock to help guide him..within reason.

10X of these bad boys might do the trick.

 

[b_arrington]

Since you had planned on spending some cash anyway, and now you're leaning toward hands-on training, why not throw some money at some enhanced fenders like others have mentioned? Make it so he can drive that boat right into the dock to help guide him..within reason.

10X of these bad boys might do the trick.
View attachment 121443

I have 2 of those for my own boat for the swim platform - they are pricey but awesome.

They would help one employee he gets in the slip, which is the first step.

 

[b_arrington]

Are the finger piers long enough for bow in? Could they get off boat? Permitted at marina?

They went bow in last season. If the bow is all the way in, there’s juuuuust space to get on the boat at the stern. But barely and the dock wobbles. It’s not good for someone with some mobility issued as a the case here.

The bigger issue is the anchor hangs over 1/2 the main dock. A little kid went running down the dock and smacked into the anchor. We can’t have that kind of hazard.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Just a little tip on guesstimating how far to back in without ramming the swim platform into the dock:

Position the boat at the appropriate distance from the main dock. Then paint a small square or rectangle (~3"x5") on the finger piers. These will give him a visual reference as to how far to back the boat into the slip.