I have build a pontoon type camera platform in order to take water level photographs of birds. The contraption consists of a waterproof box about 15″ wide 30″ long and 7″ deep. Inside is a large camera, 12v 7aHr battery and two water pumps which are fed via pipes to each corner of the pontoon. The whole thing, including the camera controls is remote controlled. It will be used on lakes in fairly calm conditions, and it needs to motor out amongst the birds and then just float about while I take pictures, controlling the camera from the shore. After a trial run I found that the camera works as desired and the idea of steering and propulsion using the pumps in fwd or reverse, to push water from either the back corners (to go forward) or the front corners (to go back) or a mixture of both to turn actually does work, the slightest breath of wind just pushes the craft into the reeds. The pumps (Kavan) are 12v 1.5A and have a maximum capacity of 1.8 l/min.

Does anyone here have any suggestions about making this craft controllable. The whole set up weights approx 18 – 20 lbs or 9Kg for the younger reader.

If I put in two more pumps would that give me enough control?

Speed is not an issue as the pontoon is disguised to look like a lump of floating weed so as long as I can make it go in the direction I want I don’t care how long it takes to get there, in fact in order not to scare the birds away slower is definately better. Sorry It’s such a long post and I feel a bit cheeky asking for your help as I am more of a photographer than a boat builder, but I think I really need your expertise to ensure that I don’t waste any more money on things which won’t work.

Thanks for the reply Kevin. I was wondering if the draft would make a difference and I am thinking of putting chambers in the box alongside the camera box. This would enable me to flood the chambers and make the whole thing float deeper in the water. The bait boat design is similar to mine but I can make the pumps reverse but I wonder if I put a bow on the front of the craft and just pushed from each back corner if it would handle any better.

I’m afraid I can’t see all of your reply because the “Suport our partners” banner won’t get out of the Bl**dy way.

Kevin, I know what you mean about over engineering, but the chambers are basically 8 plastic 1 pint milk bottles which I can top up individually to alter the angle of the pontoon and therefore the angle of the camera.

Telstar, I have been experimenting in my swimming pool and have found that the best efficiency of the jets is with the outlet above the water level and I have also altered the front jets to come out of the sides which is effectively bow thrusters so the pontoon is now much more manouverable and can also deal with more wind and stay in controllable. My next step is a redesign the make the draft much deeper therefore giving much less craft for the wind to affect. I think I will still try four pumps instead of the two I have and double up the jets and see if that works more efficiantly. 

Hi Len thanks for the help. An ordinary model boat was what first sprang to mind because if it doesn’t look like a threat then wildlife does tend to accept it. The problem was in getting a craft which would protect the camera and lens (total value £3500.00) from ANY chance of coming into contact with water. And with the heavy camera strapped to the top of an ordinary boat it will become top heavy and vulnerable to ducks and swans landing close to it and upsetting it. The other negative thing about a boat with a camera on top is that the lens would have to be a few inches above the water line. If I try to set a camera into the model with the lens sticking out at water level then I have a much more difficult job waterproofing it. I am now on Mk III and if this doesn’t work successfully then I will go to propellers and a rudder. I will let you know how Mk III performs.