You hit the nail on the head. It is a device that provides a starting sequence and it video records the start of the sailboat race. However, the gizmo I built uses a 105db motorcycle horn.
Interesting.
Are you following ISAF rules? If so, how would you determine if a boat is OCS? Some flags allow for a boat to round the line (or dip) to restart if they're OCS. And if you're using a camera, if there are multiple boats OCS, and the first one over is the closest to the camera, then it would block the view of the camera to any other boat OCS.
Also, how will you ensure the the camera is always pointing towards the pin?
What type of boat?
We are racing single handed dinghies and have 5 to 15 boats on the starting line.
Yes we follow the ISAF rules but we are not anal about them. We do very well without RC and flags. The race starting machine relieves designated sailor from blowing the whistle and insures that the over-the-line calls by other sailors are accurate. Multiple boats OCS are not easy for RC to call either, but at least we can review them after the race.
You can determine position of the boat at the starting line by position of the mast, and most of the boats like to start at the boat end (starboard, right side) of the line.
The camera has 120 deg. FOV, and the flag of the machine is used as a wind vain. The flag is attached to the pole with the stiffener that is sawn into the flag. The entire machine is rotating in the water, and the camera is always pointing at 90 deg. to the wind direction.
Very nice! I was worried about missed calls, but as this seems to be a "beer can" fleet (that's a good thing), all is good.
Another method I have used for similar sized dinghy fleets is a "rabbit boat". Each race day, one boat is designated the rabbit, and they control the horn. Just before the gun/horn fires, they take a starboard tack of their choice, a bit off from the buoy, and head off. The start line is the line between their bow and the buoy. All the other boats must cross that line on port tack. When the last boat does cross, or within a reasonable time frame (30-60secs), the rabbit can then tack or change course. This method allows everyone to race every day, no one is stuck in the committee boat getting sunburned, and gives the skipper/lookout of the rabbit boat a clear view of the line to call OCS's.
I'd love to see this (your camera) in action (you tube video perhaps?)! Keep us updated!