I have to go with Ray on this one. When it comes to best practices and lessons learned, I believe that Alec's solution is far superior to any of the other solutions discussed to date.
Hi, The best launch and retrieval method that I saw at the 2006 PSUBS Convention was Alec Smyth's telescoping tounge on his trailer. Yes a cable can be used to back a trailer into the water. That is until the trailer hits a bump or rock. With a trailer tounge the tow vehicle can push the trailer further out when gravity fails you. For retrieval, once the trailer is out in the water,
either method works well. Regards, Ray --- Nomdae Plume <nomdae@hotmail.com> wrote: --------------------------------- Hey Joe: Pat Regan had an interresting solution to the problem: He attached a 50 foot cable to his trailer and was able to keep his van high on the launch ramp while moving his sub into deeper water. You can see this in action at: http://www.vulcaniasubmarine.com/TESTING%20THE%20NAUTILUS%20MINISUB.htm The draft on my sub is going to be less than three feet when surfaced, so I'm not too concerned at this point. -- NP --------------------------------- From: "Joseph Perkel" <joeperkel@hotmail.com> Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Launch Retrieval Transport Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:31:31 +0000 I would like to open a discussion for the group to brainstorm a common problem. In discussions with several members recently, the issue of trailer launching a 2 ton deep draft submersible is weighing a bit on my mind. The image of backing the thing in far enough to "get stuck" and still not float free, or worse...launching the vehicle as well, has real potential. One member has mentioned to me recently, that as little as 12" decreased draft, would really make a tremendous difference. Saddle tanks alone, may not be enough to do the job. So...some folks in Hawaii, came up with the LRT barge........ http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/nurp/nur07523.htm A rather ingenious. but impractical solution for
psubbers as it requires diver support, and fully submersible would require increased complexity. However, it did prompt me to think of these little guys........... http://www.springsdock.com/images/springs/SpringsNewPontoonBoat_M.jpg These are available on the used market in various states, but our interest would be the floats, and possibly the deck. But, putting a two ton submersible on this deck would make it unstable, so my thoughts are to...reverse the deck (under slung)... cut flood ports in the bottoms, and attach flotation topside...essentially turning these pontoons into MBT's. Blowing to be accomplished by battery powered centrifugal blowers. This could be potentially used only for launching and retrieval in the calm waters of the ramp area, then reload it onto the trailer and tow the sub conventionally. Here are the problems that I
can foresee here, and would like discussion on improvements or otherwise unforeseen circumstances. 1) Width limited to 102" for legal towing without permits. 2) Width limit may limit usable space between pontoons in the described configuration. 3) Road towing stability Sometimes the simplest solutions elude you, so I'd like to see what the group can come up with here. Joe ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages from our organization. If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the link below or send a blank email message to: removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an automated process and should be complete within five minutes of our server receiving your request. PSUBS.ORG PO Box 311 Weare, NH 03281 603-529-1100 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ --------------------------------- Add a Yahoo! contact to Windows Live Messenger for a chance to win a free trip! ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US FederalCAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your
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