Well Dan, I think it is necessary to point out that, while the vast
majority of
us can not afford to undertake large scale projects like the Euronaut, the
defining factor that makes a sub a Psub is not its size, but rather the
fact
that it is a non-commercial venture undertaken by a hobbyist. That said,
there
certainly are boats out there which are designed to operate untended, by
virtue
of having the capabilities normally relegated to surface support -
sufficient
power, range, endurance, weather handling ability, communications, crew
comfort,
collision regs compliance, etc. Unless I am mistaken, the Euronaut falls
into
this category. (I'll leave it to Carsten to comment further). Such a sub
would
likely be of sufficient size to accomodate outfitting it in accordance
with the
equipment normally carried on surface vessels - and be capable of
supporting a
superstructure that can get a radar scanner high enough to be useful. My
design
is a design exercise only, but it is of a larger vessel with design
criteria
including sufficient freeboard to maintain a weather deck large enough to
accomodate an evacuation via stretcher lift (one person lying down, tended
by
one or two more), and a weight buoyancy statement which will, with all
tanks
empty, maintain stability with the entire ship's complement (6) on the
weather
deck in a reasonable sea state - this is in case of fire or other event
which
necessitates evacuating to the deck, in the surfaced condition. The point
being
that for most smaller psubs, you're probably right, but there is a place
in the
psub universe for vessels designed to cruise on the surface, and in this
context, radar is not a bad idea.
-Sean
Quoting "Dan H." <jmachine@adelphia.net>:
Is RADAR really necessary?
First of all, it's not the smartest thing to operate a P size sub without
some surface support out there with you. If you feel you need radar,
that's
the place for it.
Second, a P-sub is way to close to the surface of the water for radar to
see
very far. Unless there is fog, in which case it's highly unlikely you'd
be
out there anyway, just a few feet off the surface I can see as far by eye
as
a radar can.
There are better places to spend the budgeted money of a P-subber.
Just my opinion,
Dan H.
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