Drones on Boats

[Table Rockin]

I just bought one over Xmas and I've flown it now maybe a dozen times. Lets just say I need to get better at it before I take it on the boat. My landings have been less than desirable. In fact I think I've only landed it the right way maybe....oh lets say.....once

[AsLan7]

I just bought one over Xmas and I've flown it now maybe a dozen times. Lets just say I need to get better at it before I take it on the boat. My landings have been less than desirable. In fact I think I've only landed it the right way maybe....oh lets say.....once

Would you recommend the waterproof model, TR??

[Table Rockin]

sure if your primary purpose is over bodies of water. If your good at using them (definitely need GPS version) it may not matte. I'd be scared I'd crash it into the boat or on the vinyl and those props cut into something or at very least leave a mark. Not sure I'm good enough to land it on the swim platform.

[AsLan7]

Roger that. Thanx.

[juddmyers]

I am late to this party. I own a Mavic Pro and love it. I have launched it from a tri toon and recorded some video, unfortunately the wind picked up and I sliced open the front seat of the pontoon when landing. That cost me $400 in repairs. I haven't taken it out with the 262 yet but I am sure that I will in time. just make sure you have your RTTH and Altitude settings all set right and should be fine.

[AsLan7]

I am late to this party. I own a Mavic Pro and love it. I have launched it from a tri toon and recorded some video, unfortunately the wind picked up and I sliced open the front seat of the pontoon when landing. That cost me $400 in repairs. I haven't taken it out with the 262 yet but I am sure that I will in time. just make sure you have your RTTH and Altitude settings all set right and should be fine.

That’s good info JM. Thx for the heads up.

[juddmyers]

Might also practice hand launching and hand landing at home. That is tricky and hard to get use to.

[mtwbldr]

How did I not see this thread! I have a small production company as a side gig and I pilot all of our drone work.(FAA certified) ((yes A7 as a pilot you could pass in a sec. Its basically ground school)) Anyway, I fly my Mavic Pro pretty often from our boat. I would not recommend, unless your piloting skills are dialed in, but hand launching and catching is the way to go. JM sucks you caught your seats while landing, better than a body part, or worse your 262! Will share some photos I get this weekend as I'm planning on taking it out.

[NautiGirl]

How did I not see this thread! I have a small production company as a side gig and I pilot all of our drone work.(FAA certified) ((yes A7 as a pilot you could pass in a sec. Its basically ground school)) Anyway, I fly my Mavic Pro pretty often from our boat. I would not recommend, unless your piloting skills are dialed in, but hand launching and catching is the way to go. JM sucks you caught your seats while landing, better than a body part, or worse your 262! Will share some photos I get this weekend as I'm planning on taking it out.

Just recently took a two day class with our insurance adjusters who are now flying drones...I have to be able to help with the technical stuff if it breaks...but I asked about flying over water...our instructor also recommended the hand catching instead of trying to land on a boat. Bring it in, let it hover and grab it. It was super fun to fly and would be super cool at the lake!

[cmattj]

My one time drone from the Boat last year was interesting to retrieve...

As I set my cheapy to gps hover about 5 feet off the platform it locked and hovered.

Me being so smart I grabbed the drone no problem!! Easy deal.

Then I realized I need to hold both toggles down and then out on the controller to shut it off.. geeze now what?

Simply hand the controls to your buzzed buddy!, and give him the instructions how to shut it down.. Easy deal right?

Nope he went the opposite way with the sticks.. tried to take off side ways ..and I may have wet myself in terror..

Finally he realized he went opposite way and quickly shut it down..thank goodness..

Sooooo.. next time I may bring gloves and a Helmet

[tbully]

I have a mavic pro as well. My old drone (Phantom 2, I think?) was easy to grab out of the air. The Mavic's body is not as deep and it also doesn't have as much of a "landing gear" to grab on to. Further complicating things is the Mavic is super self-aware and smart. In the proper mode, it's constantly looking for obstructions, accounting for wind, and keeping level flight. As soon as you grab on to that thing while in the air, it goes crazy, throttles up, etc. It can be pretty scary being close to the props. Further, it could potentially slip out of your hand and fly erratically for a moment - thereby crashing, hitting the boat, etc.

I need to figure out a better way to grab it out of the air (temporarily shut down sensors?). Otherwise, this one won't go on the boat, sadly.

[mtwbldr]

Just recently took a two day class with our insurance adjusters who are now flying drones...I have to be able to help with the technical stuff if it breaks...but I asked about flying over water...our instructor also recommended the hand catching instead of trying to land on a boat. Bring it in, let it hover and grab it. It was super fun to fly and would be super cool at the lake!

very cool and fun to learn! Definitely bring to the lake!

I have a mavic pro as well. My old drone (Phantom 2, I think?) was easy to grab out of the air. The Mavic's body is not as deep and it also doesn't have as much of a "landing gear" to grab on to. Further complicating things is the Mavic is super self-aware and smart. In the proper mode, it's constantly looking for obstructions, accounting for wind, and keeping level flight. As soon as you grab on to that thing while in the air, it goes crazy, throttles up, etc. It can be pretty scary being close to the props. Further, it could potentially slip out of your hand and fly erratically for a moment - thereby crashing, hitting the boat, etc.

I need to figure out a better way to grab it out of the air (temporarily shut down sensors?). Otherwise, this one won't go on the boat, sadly.

For the Mavic, easiest thing to do is turn off "Landing Protection" this will let it land in your hand and and it won't rev up and try to get away from you.

[tbully]

Thanks! I'll give that a shot!

[Ytmsn]

My one time drone from the Boat last year was interesting to retrieve...

As I set my cheapy to gps hover about 5 feet off the platform it locked and hovered.

Me being so smart I grabbed the drone no problem!! Easy deal.

Then I realized I need to hold both toggles down and then out on the controller to shut it off.. geeze now what?

Simply hand the controls to your buzzed buddy!, and give him the instructions how to shut it down.. Easy deal right?

Nope he went the opposite way with the sticks.. tried to take off side ways ..and I may have wet myself in terror..

Finally he realized he went opposite way and quickly shut it down..thank goodness..

Sooooo.. next time I may bring gloves and a Helmet

[AsLan7]

.
Some great info here!
...and awesome shot Matt.
.