Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] No more gel-coat!

["Rob Carlson" <rob.carlson@verizon.net>]

 I think the rough sandpaper surface occurs natuarally when you leave the
submarine in water long enough - it's called barnacles :-)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Kem" <dustyut@lasal.net>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] No more gel-coat!


> Rich, I don't see why you would be kicked from this list.  As for the
> sandpaper idea, I never thought of it till you mentioned it, and it
> sounds pretty darn good to me.  Maybe they should try that with the
> SSBN's, you think?
> Carl
>
>
> Richard Gordon wrote:
>
> > As I may be getting kicked out of the group soon, I thought I'd better
> > share this last bit of info before I go. It has to do with drag
> > reduction. Gel-coat and similar coatings on your submarine cause what
> > is known as a boundary layer. This a layer of slower moving water
> > against the surface of the vessel. Studies by various groups have
> > shown that haing an extremely rough surface creates microscopic
> > turbulance on the surface, thus breaking-up the boundary layer and
> > reducing drag dramatically. It is for this reason that sharks have
> > such rough skin. Other fish do not have rough skin, because unlike the
> > shark, they use their boundary layer to contribute to their
> > propulsion. They generate the laminar-flow with their whole bodies,
> > whereas the sharks only use their tale. So coat your subs in
> > sand-paper and you'll be okay!! lol Rich
>
> --
> "In times like these, it helps to recall there have always been times
> like these."-Paul Harvey
>
>