We will learn to masterfully operate a drone and safely put it on board a yacht.

The advent of small drones (affordable and easy to use) has taken photography and video to a higher level, expanding the capabilities of hobbyists to professionals.

But everything should be tried out on our own experience. And much easier said than done! Especially when you consider. that controlling the flight of a copter while sailing is not an easy task. However, there are proven techniques and tricks for flying a drone while sailing. And this can be done without swimming in the ocean.

First, let's take a look DJI Phantom 4 Prowhich is one of the most ideal drones for use on a yacht. It is equipped with comfortable feet that you can grab onto without the fear that the blades will blow your fingers away.

Next on the list is the compact version DJI Mavic Prowhich does not have landing feet like its predecessor. And there are many examples of failed attempts to land the DJI Mavic Pro. But the advantage of the Mavic is that it is much smaller and folds down to an even more compact form. And when you live in a small boat, the amount of space occupied plays an important role.

 Brian Trautmanknown to everyone as the skipper SV Delos has been flying drones since 2014. Since then, he and his crew have flown copters in different conditions. All videos can be watched on his sailing YouTube channel.

Brian has both the Phantom and the Mavic aboard the Delos. But he recommends Phantom because it is much easier to catch. In addition, it is more powerful, and copes well with the task in windy weather. He uses the Mavic mainly for ground excursions.

In any case, which drone you prefer is up to you. And you will have to proceed not only from material possibilities, but also from the available free space in the yacht for storage. But it's worth noting that there is a difference in cost between the two models: the Phantom is cheaper than the Mavic.

Another one on our list - DJI Sparkeven smaller and more compact than the Mavic! And it's not much larger than a sunglasses case. But this model is suitable for use in light wind, and lacks 4k capabilities ...

But if you do have a Spark or Mavic, catching them can be made easier by the tripod mount or chassis extensions, which can be easily attached to the bottom of the tripod. This method was used by Richard Edwards, a professional videographer who was one of the on-board reporters of the last Volvo Ocean Race.

Takeoff

Once you have purchased your drone, the next step is to get the hang of flying. Of course learning should start from the ground... So that you can get used to it, as well as learn to catch it deftly.

And it's best to start flying in circles around trees or houses. And if you manually will be able to making a full 360 ° around a stationary object, while maintaining a constant distance and keeping the subject in the frame, then you can be proud of it. Once you master this method, you can do the same on the boat. Which is much more complicated.

Once you have mastered the basics, you can try flying in light windy weather. Do it better in manual mode with disabled collision sensors and "return home"since on the boat this function will be disabled and you will need to catch it yourself. It is very convenient to practice with an assistant. When one is on the control, and the other is at the start and fishing. And ideally, start and catch with sunglasses and thin gloves as protection.

The next logical step - practice flying the drone from a boat while at anchor to get used to the space you will be working with. However, at some point it will be time to put your skills to the test and launch the drone on the fly.

It is easier to take off from the stern by simply pointing the drone up. Once launched, it will hover in place, waiting for the boat to move to a safe distance. 

Some drones are capable of flying upwind at speeds up to 20 knots. But with that kind of resistance, the battery won't last long. Therefore, it is still better to choose a downwind direction.

To descend on the water, you must hold it above your head. It doesn't matter if you are walking with or against the wind. Switch on the power and climb up immediately to avoid hitting the backstay! And the speed of the boat will naturally allow him to understand that he is flying away.

It is usually easier to fly a drone from a catamaran because there is much more space to launch and fish, and it is more stable than a monohull itself. But here, too, you should be careful not to collide with the rigging. Find a comfortable position so that after the start, the boat can easily slide past the drone without hitting it.

Successful landing

Even before takeoff, it is advisable to have a ready-made landing plan. And by the time it’s time to go back to base and catch your device, you should know if you have disabled the “return home” function. Never land anywhere other than at the stern of the boat, and enter from behind, not from the side or from above. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting caught, because you will be disoriented.

But landing is easier than you think!

• We begin to return home with a charge of 60%.
• You will have to fly backwards because Forward vision sensors will prevent the aircraft from getting close enough to catch it. 
• Keep the yacht's course straight. Without wagging, not being led and not falling away. And bring the drone closer. If you need to redo, just leave it unmanaged. Then he will stop and hover, smoothly soaring and "working out" the gusts of wind.
• When the yacht has safely sailed away from it, try again.

One thing you are bound to encounter is the difficulty in determining the distance between the drone and the boat. Especially when both are on the move. Therefore, you can try another option - to control it from a tuzik (dinghy). There 100% is easier to catch and it will not crash anywhere. And your head will stop hurting from thinking how not to bump into the rigging.

For cruiser-couples with an eternal lack of hands, this can be a real challenge! However, if you hone your skills as much as possible, you can easily manage it together. The main thing is to enjoy it! But don't underestimate the importance of safety and planning.

Naturally, you will worry about losing your quadcopter at sea. But you won't get amazing shots if you don't raise the bar and take the risk. So it's better to be prepared to lose it. :) If you can't afford to lose it, don't fly in the sea or buy a waterproof quadcopter.

01.04.2020