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
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