[PSUBS-MAILIST] Surface Transit and power requirements

Sat Nov 30 11:49:33 EST 2013

If I had never been on sub diving operations I would be working on designing a system for self-propelled surface transit, however since I have been on a few dive ops I have to agree completely with Jon on this one.

If I'm more than about 50 meters from shore I want a competent support boat occupied by an adequate number of smart people.  Since you need a support boat anyway, having it tow the sub to the dive site is quicker, more efficient, less complex, and hopefully more comfortable.  The less time you spend in route to the dive site the better, especially if the sub must be occupied in transit in either direction.  Add hot weather to the mix and it becomes even more significant.

Something that might be helpful would be to design a tow sled (must be a better word) to attach to the front of the sub for better flow characteristics.  It's analogous to a tow dolly for towing a vehicle behind a motor home.  Most of the subs aren't very hydrodynamic, and something that would attach directly to the tow line and cut through the water better with even a little lift would be a great improvement.  Depending on the design it could also facilitate getting into and out of the sub at the dive site.  That by itself would be worth it.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Wallace <jonw at psubs.org>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
Sent: Fri, Nov 29, 2013 11:13 am
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Surface Transit and power requirements

    Except for calm lake conditions I don't think a piggy-back generator    is practical.  On open ocean it is not a simple task to support sub    dive ops.  Take another look at the "psychedelic sub" video from    Islamorada this year and note the bobbing of the sub, the divers,    and the support boat in only 2 foot seas.  Having been in that water    helping weight-balance Snoopy, I can't imagine trying to load/unload    a generator (even a small one) from the top of it.

    A small semi-rigid inflatable also won't be practical as surface    support in such conditions.  Doug's 25 foot boston whaler was being    tossed pretty well and drifting heavily.  Who wants to be 5 miles    out on the open ocean in a small cramped inflatable fighting wave,    wind and current?

    Jon

  From: Joe                Perkel <josephperkel at yahoo.com>
                To:                Personal Submersibles General Discussion                <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
                Sent:                Thursday, November 28, 2013 3:43 PM
                Subject:                [PSUBS-MAILIST] Surface Transit and power requirements

I                                have a                                question on my mind that I’d like to                                pose for ideas. It concerns primary                                propulsion and the potential use of an                                electric golf cart motor for long                                distance surface transit say in the                                order of 4 to 5 miles one way.

What I am                                thinking is the use of a motor pod ahead                                of a moveable rudder Delta style. If                                one were to use say a 5hp motor where                                2-3 hp is required, wouldn’t the larger                                motor be less taxed and run cooler, turn                                a larger prop,  be more                                reliable long term, etc?

As for power                                drain, what if a portable Honda                                generator could ride temporarily on deck                                behind                                the sail in a purpose built ventilated                                enclosure that is quick release                                removable.                                Could this not be connected to a purpose                                built electrical thru hull feeding the                                main bus?

My goals                                here are simple.

1)      The                                ability to travel to relative distant                                dive sites with relative ease

2)      Reducing a surface                                support                                requirement to a small semi-rigid                                inflatable.

3)      The ability to satisfy                                power drain                                and on site recharge capability without                                rafting at sea.

4)      Eliminating the                                complexity and costs                                associated with inboard diesel                                propulsion.

Ideas /                                thoughts?

Joe

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