Flying a Drone from a Boat- Tips and Strategies for Success (Episode 70)

[@SailingBlownAway]

Definitely would love to see how you fly off a moving boat! Thanks! Great job on this one!

[@CruisingMaya]

OK, good to know. It's probably a ways out, but I would like to create something for all the cruisers out there. Boats and drones are a winning combo!

[@gntsailing4389]

Yes! More drone how tos. You’ve inspired us to CONSIDER adding a drone to the mix.

[@CruisingMaya]

You guys gotta get a drone!!! It's the most fun thing! You got any questions hit us up!

[@johnbirch1104]

As always, another great outing Mac & Jenny. The drone footages really help make your videos outstanding. Fair winds.

[@CruisingMaya]

Thank you, John! Boats and drones are an AMAZING combination. Appreciate ya watching- cheers!

[@BoatGuyBill]

Thanks Mac! I have the same drone, and we are excited for our summer cruising, so your timing is excellent. Yes, please do the follow up video. I want my vids to be as good as yours! Cheers.

[@CruisingMaya]

Very cool you have the same drone! If you click on the amazon links in the description it those us a little commission. The lanyard and floats are must haves for the mini! Let the boating season begin!

[@titusmoz]

Always appreciate your drone footage. You have manage to capture so many amazing scenes and moments with it. I am always impressed with you adding a boat in the the mix with regards to launching and retrieving it.

[@CruisingMaya]

Thanks so much! It's so fun to get to share the footage from flights! What's the latest on the bayliner?!

[@SteveMartinUSA]

I’d like to see this done with a Mini 4 with the “sensors off”, and also with some movement to the boat. I had a hard time landing my drone on a moving boat in Fiji while chasing dolphins. I had a little stick applied to match the movement of the boat while landing and it would not come down those last couple of feet, for several minutes anyway. Sport mode was irrelevant. Then it finally did land after several tense minutes. I didn’t have any trouble when the boat was stationary.

[@kkots]

Nice one Mac! Good thought out planning makes flights safer and helps get epic footage as you guys have demonstrated. I’m looking forward to other episodes on your drone flying tips and tricks :-)

[@CruisingMaya]

Thanks, Ken! Boats and drones are an amazing combo! It's so fun to shoot your boat from the air!

[@David_skiing-sailing]

Watched this last night, and rewatching this morning, wow very useful information - Thank you for sharing

[@CruisingMaya]

Great to hear it was helpful and hope the helps the cause to get out and fly!

[@SVCSkallywags]

More please - just ordered my parts (Floating landing gear, & lalnyard) Taking our drone over the water soon! Filming Thor and Home Again!

[@CruisingMaya]

That's so awesome to hear! Looking forward to seeing that footage! Hoping to have some more drone tip videos up in the next month or so!

[@theislandpackrat]

You make it look easy! I'm still trying to figure out how to use a cell phone! I used to film with a SJ 4000 ( cheap go pro) but my computer got too old and I can't put videos on my channel any more so some day will get a new cell phone and hope!

[@CruisingMaya]

I've had plenty of close calls, but have somehow only killed one so far!

[@denisehummel6781]

Definitely interesting in the subject of flying the drone from a moving boat. Thank you!

[@robertnixon3816]

Your drone footage adds so much to your videos! Great hints and tips! Thanks!

[@CruisingMaya]

Thank you, Bob! Drones are such a great combination with boats! Appreciate ya!

[@guenther1]

That was helpful Mac, thanks. I've had the same drone for almost two years and have been relucant to use it for some of those obvious reasons. I'm going to get (or make) the layard and will get the floaties. I imagine the floaties also help prevent the drone from slipping/sliding on the solar panels which happens with the hard plastic drone "feet". I also like the Cruising Maya shirt with Santa Cruise font. Cheers

[@CruisingMaya]

Yes, the drone floats provide a lot more anti-slip security than the plastic feet- an important thing when you are taking off from a heeling sailboat! Thank you for the feedback on the new logo design! Hoping to some stickers in the store here in a couple months. Appreciate the comment and for watching!

[@stst8301]

Perfect video my friend! I tried to take off from a boat with also a mini 2 and this weird think happened.... Take off was OK but when the drone was like 20 meters high it started descending on it's own I was keep pushing throttle up to avoid landing into the sea and hopefully managed to hand catch it. Battery was 95% Checked again at the shore and everything was working perfect... Since then haven't tried again to take off from a boat.

[@nvpch61]

Good info and thanks for sharing. Yes indeed on the additional videos. Thank you.

[@CruisingMaya]

Thanks so much! Hoping to get some more drone videos up soon!

[@Soefarer]

You where launching it anchored! That isn't much different from launching it ashore, what's new here? The tricky thing launching and retreiving a drone from a sailboat is the heeling and movement of the boat. You can't launch it from your solar panel when the boat is heeling, and how do you retrieve it, when the boat is moving forward at the same time as the drone is approaching you? THAT'S the interesting part - and lots of the examples you show is with boats in motion?

[@franklindmurphy]

Thanks that was very helpful. I just got mine just to get some shots on my boat for my KZbin channel. Thanks.

[@michaelbeemer3976]

Many thanks, for 3 years it’s only been from land… SVC Skallywags going over the water now! Thanks for the tips!!

[@CruisingMaya]

That is most excellent! Flying in Alaska is like cheating because the landscape is so epic!

[@derrickez]

I just did this today...it is difficult. Take off from the rear of the boat...land on the front....or get a helper to grab it when you hover, so you can quickly get into the landing mode. It is difficult to land even if the boat is just bobbing

[@adventureswithryan5474]

Love your SV Basik sticker! I'm good friends with Teal, Lihn and Emma!

[@CruisingMaya]

Oh no way! They hosted an epic Thanksgiving dinner on the west coast of Baja Mexico- they are great!

[@waterboy8999]

Thanks, short and to the point, no messing about. I've recently purchased a Mavic pro but not actually flown it yet. I plan to use it when sailing.

[@CruisingMaya]

Definitely get a bunch of practice on land first. And takeoff is just as important as landing- watch out for spreader lines! Good luck and happy flying!

[@waterboy8999]

@@CruisingMaya thank, I definitely will be doing that.

[@Muskieangler]

Great tips and pace of video. Thanks!

[@CruisingMaya]

Glad you enjoyed- thanks for watching!

[@spacemayonaise5481]

you made the landing look so easy! wow

[@CruisingMaya]

Lots of videogames as a kid....

[@Jetmab04]

Thanks a lot for sharing... I'll guarantee you, I could/would crash any drone you handed me... Sometimes we have to know our limits and, this sure is one of mine.. Happy you are much better and, thanks again. Happy sailing!

[@CruisingMaya]

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@tgwhelan]

This was really helpful--thank you! I would definitely be interested in the video of flying from a moving boat. I just got a DJI Mini 3 I am planning to fly from my Cape George! Tim - s/v Patience (CG 38)

[@CruisingMaya]

Glad the video helped- I definitely want to get a moving boat video put together- it's on my to do list.... although there are a few things above that. I will try! Cheers!

[@lindafraley5538]

Great tips, Mac! Thanks.

[@CruisingMaya]

You're welcome! You'll have to show me your drone flying skills haha!

[@eprohoda]

Hello. gorgeous drone~

[@CruisingMaya]

Thank you! Just wait till you see the video!!!!

[@Wanderglobe]

Great stuff. Thanks.

[@CruisingMaya]

Thanks for watching!

[@charliewinkie6990]

Sweet tips! 😁

[@CruisingMaya]

Thanks for watching!

[@theboakster]

Hey Mac and Jenny. I’ve enjoyed all of your videos and living in BC with a 30’ C&C, I certainly have paid close attention to your journeys through Canada’s inner passage etc. I’m strongly considering purchasing a drone and found this episode very informative. So, looking at your drone, I’m wondering why you chose the DJI Mini 2. I if you have the time to respond, I’d greatly appreciate your insights on the pros and cons of your drone purchase. Thanks in advance…… larry

[@CruisingMaya]

Hi Larry- thanks for your message. The Mini 2 is the perfect drone for a boat. Mostly, due to it's size. The 249 gram weight is below the limit to where you need permits and have to ask for permissions to fly. It also folds up to a VERY compact size..... very important on a boat where space is at a premium. The drone is incredible fast and agile with impressive battery life. And most importantly, the quality of video and photos are amazing for the price. If you do decided to buy a drone, please consider using one of our Amazon Affiliate links. If you click one of our links before shopping on amazon we get a sales commission for ANY purchases you make in the next 24 hours. It's a free way to support us which we really appreciate. Here's an affiliate link to the Mini 2, but also any of the links on the "gear we love" page of our website will work too. Thanks again! amzn.to/42pnq5X www.cruisingmaya.com/gear-we-love

[@tomjohnson6036]

Is that a Japanese fish print to your left in the cabin?

[@CruisingMaya]

Yes it is! Our friend did that- an artist from Mexico! Here is his shop! We love his work! www.etsy.com/es/shop/AdriGyotaku?fbclid=PAAabv6ZlO_-_VX_vkxynAYsOLfGkNdBcW_qarf4OPRUiLR4avoXz35fiDuQc&load_webview=1&bid=2snkFybWaEniZ1eU2Xs7scVC6H2f

[@tayzalu]

Wow I didn’t know flipping it over does that ?!

[@CruisingMaya]

Yep! Very helpful to shut the drone down instantly.

[@gradyrm237]

I want to do this off my kayak. I have the mini 4 pro. Are you saying to turn off the avoidance? It won't hand land with it on. I was afraid to turn it off. Also, the reviews of the 'pontoons' on the drone weren't great.

[@CruisingMaya]

@gradyrm237 yes turn off obstacle avoidance. I wouldn't use those floats to land on the water, but they make it a lot easier to snag it out of the air.

[@Outdoorsyshoresy]

Do you turn off GPS mode?

[@hlynnkeith9334]

Okay, that is launch and landing from a boat at anchor. How do you launch and land on a moving boat?

[@CruisingMaya]

Great question! I will be answering that question in a future video!

[@harleysoltes]

Do the floats reduce the fly time much? Do they cause more trouble if it is a bit windy?

[@CruisingMaya]

They reduce flight time, but not dramatically. The drone definitely does not like flying in heavy with with the floats- it will fly, but it can be hard to get cinematic shots as the drone can sometimes shake.

[@bennyummer]

no jenny---boooo!

[@CruisingMaya]

She will be back next episode!

[@glasermeister2001]

try this on a moving boat on the ocean , and you will see quick how useless your advices will be .

[@CruisingMaya]

Ooo hello snarky comment!