Workspace
Dressed up my cube a bit with some Lasers.
Author: Jon
GoPro Mast Mount
This GoPro mast mount should work for all mast sizes from a Laser on up. It was modeled after a mount seen on Layline’s website. On a Laser the mount can be used to film what’s ahead, or by putting it to the side and using some extenders can point backwards towards the cockpit. Obviously the mast rotation will result in some less than ideal shooting angles some of the time.
I used an Easy on/off bracket mast mount, but instead of using a stick-on or tripod mount, I drilled out the bracket part of a helmet mount and used two stainless steel bolts to attach it. The other solutions are probably sufficient, but I wanted something that would be bullet proof as I see myself mounting this in some places that I couldn’t exactly get to in a pinch if something went wrong.
 Mounted on a Laser mast pointed forward |
 View pointed forward |
Parts Needed:
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Tools Needed:
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Easy on/off bracket and GoPro Helmet Mount with an extra hole drilled in the v-mount for the mount.
GoPro Helmet mount mounted to the easy on/off bracket.
From the back showing the screws cut to the proper length with a hack saw so they didn’t protrude toward the mast any further.
*I used two 36″ Velcro straps which might be overkill for a Laser mast, but I actually found it to work quite well and be very secure.
Finished bracket mounted on a Laser mast with Velcro straps which were wrapped around the mast 3-4 times.
Adding Events to the NA Laser Class Calendar Video
I recently made this video to help get more events added to the http://laser.org calendar.
LOVE
Just wanted to get one picture posted from this afternoon’s wedding of Grace and Adrien at the Clover Forest Plantation. Credit to Keith Andes for the idea to do this. Here’s the video.
GoPro Panoramic Mount
A recent project of mine was to use a simple kitchen timer to build a GoPro Camera panoramic time-lapse mount. This basically lets the camera spin 360 degrees to evenly film the surrounding area. Either periodic stills can be taken or video can be recorded that can later be sped up into a time lapse.
I started with a basic kitchen timer. It’s best to find one that doesn’t have a dial on it. There are numerous egg-shaped timers that seem to work best for it. Stores like Bed Bath & Beyond or Walmart should have them. The first one I found happened to be shaped as a lady bug and cost something like $3.99. The GoPro tripod mount is $8 so with the nut and washers the total was less than $13 to make.
Parts Needed:
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Tools Needed:
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I took the red top off the timer by simple pulling it apart with my hands.
Next I drilled a hole slightly off-center.
Followed by threading the bolt with the washer on it up from the inside.
On the outside I put an upside down finishing washer. This isn’t a must do, but I think it made a better fit for the tripod mount.
Finally the tripod mount was added. The needle-nose pliers were used to turn the bolt from the inside while holding the tripod mount straight by hand.
Complete assembly from the front and side:
Gallery of images:
No ladybugs were harmed in the making of this mount.
Cheapeake Laser Masters Photo on Cover of The Laser Sailor
A photo of mine from the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship back in October was selected for the cover of the International Laser Class Association – North American Region newsletter: The Laser Sailor.
The photo features David Schoene and Keith Davids in a close finish during the 1st race on Saturday.
Nikon D7000 Pelican Case
I’m planning on doing a lot of sailing this summer and when I’m on bigger boats than my Laser I want to be able to have my Nikon D7000 DSLR close at hand. I can’t use the camera while I’m actually sailing, but there will be plenty of downtime while aboard when there is no splashing and I could easily pull the camera out if it were handy. I plan to use the camera for both stills and video so I’ll need to have extra batteries and a Sennheiser MKE400 Shotgun Microphone. To make this work, I need:
- A hard case that would absolutely protect the camera no matter what was thrown on top of it
- A waterproof case that could take some splashes, rain or even a little water over the bow
- A case that is as small and light as possible to save weight and space
- A case with a handle so it could be tied into the boat or tethered in place
I found the Pelican Storm iM2075 for $45 that was just the right size for Nikon D7000 and a 17-55mm lens without the grip or my side-plate mounted microphone holder. It’ll fit the camera with the lens hood, plus the microphone, 3 EN-EL15 batteries and a couple of AAA batteries for the microphone.
Completed case with camera and accessories in place:
Basic case with foam:
The case comes with two pieces of foam blocks. I cut one of them roughly in half to form the bottom of the case that the camera will rest on.
Used toothpicks to plot the size of the camera on the foam on the uncut block foam:
Remove the 1cm x 1cm foam squares for a custom fit around the camera:
Put 1/2 of the foam in the bottom of the case, and then cut 2 of the 1cm blocks at half of their height so that the AAA batteries are sitting on foam and not the bottom of the case where they’ll clank and make noise:
Put the customized piece of foam over the flat piece of foam and put the Camera and batteries in place:
I then added the strap to the camera and placed the Sennheiser mic alongside the camera:
2011 Favorite Photos
Now that the year is over I wanted to reflect on my favorite photos from 2011. Here’s the 2010 edition.
April 16, 2011 a stormy sunset over Annapolis. (This was the actual lighting, no processing whatsoever).
April 29, 2011 Sunset over the sound in Wrightsville Beach NC during the 2011 Laser Atlantic Coast Championship.
May 28, 2011 Race to Urbanna looking back at the fleet sailing under the Rappahannock River Bridge.
July 8, 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta Voodoo2, Double Eagle and Afterthought sailing downwind.
August 20, 2011 Smith Point Race – Afterthought passing by a setting sun.
August 27, 2011 Sitting in the dark while Hurricane Irene pummels VA.
October 1, 2011 tailgate tent with the sky behind during the ECU vs. UNC tailgate.
October 15, 2011 Lasers getting ready to head out on the water at Fishing Bay Yacht Club during the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship.
October 15, 2011 a close finish at the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship.
October 16, 2011 Fleet start at the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship.
October 16, 2011 Fleet sailing downwind at the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship.
October 16, 2011 Fleet sailing downwind past Mr. Roberts during the 30th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship.
October 29, 2011 Sunset during the ECU vs Tulane game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
A Run in the Park
A run in Pony Pasture Park in Richmond, Virginia on an unseasonably warm January afternoon. It was a chance to test out some new camera equipment.
LASIK
Today I had a very successful LASIK surgery. I have a nice break before the sailing season starts and I’m looking forward to going sailing and not having to deal with contacts/glasses.