Those are
interesting. Towing isn't too bad for short distances. Instead of
dragging the sub behind you though, it would be more efficient for longer
trips, to create something similar to the tender that Harold Maynard built
for his sub and carry it onboard. http://www.psubs.org/forsale/supportship1/
The
highest cost would be the hull cylinders.
George
Kittredge built a more traditional v-hull boat as his tender, but included an
open back that allowed the sub to be launched and recovered on the
ship.
Jon
The subject of surface support has come up
many times. However, in thinking about any potential future needs for myself,
I've put 2 & 2 together and came up with a pretty bullet proof little
tug I'd like to share.
My needs (should they ever materialize) would be
to drag a K-350 sized submersible about 4 nautical miles through Biscayne Bay
and out through the Stilltsville channel (against an occasional tide), to
dive sites just offshore. (Good days of course, seas 1 - 3).
In the
past, I spotted this flat bottomed houseboat as an easy/quick, build platform
for the family to enjoy the day.
(Pay special attention to the
construction method of the hull itself)!
http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/HB20_study.htm?prod=HB20
But
let's face it, ideally you need equipment out there for this type of activity,
(charging generator, jerry jugs, lift bags,
lines, extra weights, extra
cylinders, perhaps a compressor,...etc,..etc). Messy clutter to be sure.
You're not dragging this thing a bunch of miles for one stinking little
dive now are you?
Now take a look at this little push tug http://www.modutechmarine.com/DSC00034.JPG
....and
envision a high torque four bladed outboard (perhaps in a well, fancy would be
an inboard diesel), a low freeboard version of
that hull completely
enclosed and watertight with twin bilge keels, a small
standing pilot house,
towing bitts galore on the stern and sidedecks, a
flat deck full of all the goodies properly fastened / stowed.
Even an
umbrella, cooler and potty for the wife! :)
The hull starts with four
uncut sheets of ply lying on your garage floor! Pretty nifty I would
think.
Joe
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