Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Trailer launch (was Langkawi Islands)

["Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>]

About this Captain Nemo thing...I put that up as my "nom-de-PC" when I first
got my computer; had something to do with my NAUTILUS, being on a volcanic
island in the Pacific I call Vulcania, and such.
It's become so trite and cliché that I sometimes feel embarrassed using it;
and I was going to dump it; but some well-meaning (?) souls encouraged me to
hang on to it, so it stayed.  I just want everyone to know I realize there's
probably 20,000 other guys using that handle; I know it just says "I like
subs"; and I'm not off on some head trip thinking I'm THE Captain Nemo, or
anything like that.  (OK, I did ram a parked boat the first time I took the
NAUTILUS for a spin, but that was accidental!)

Anyway, about trailers: No, Dave, I haven't done anything to improve the
NAUTILUS' trailerability since I first tested it; and maybe I should.  The
propane tank carrier you describe sounds like it might enable me to work on
shallower ramps, and that was a big factor when I was testing it back in
'91: we had to wait for certain days with highest tides, and that limited
the times we could make our proving tests.

I paid $100 for a homebuilt trailer this kindly old gent had made for his
Chris Craft; made some mounting blocks for the center of it, and had to
carry the sub backwards to keep the center of weight on the right side of
the axle (which coincidentally turned out to give it a real nice entry into
the water when headed downhill on an inclined ramp).  Saved the two
boat-support planks, which now serve as catwalks for my launch and recovery
crew.  But the darn thing only has two main wheels (a boat of this weight
should have four); it doesn't have any brakes (I've got a new truck,
though); and it doesn't have any shock absorption in the suspension at all
(I keep the tires slightly soft and drive like I'm hauling nitro).  So
basically, what I'm saying is: "My trailer is a piece if s**t, and I really
should get around to obtaining a better one."  Priorities, you know...

If I just want to take it down the hill to Hilo for some local water shots,
the trailer I have is OK (if the cops don't spot me.  I once convinced a CHP
that the sub weighed only 600# and avoided a ticket, but that's another
story); but if I want to take it to Kawaihae (where they filmed WATERWORLD
and where I intend to do some U/W video ops in the future) I'll probably
have to load the trailered sub onto a flatbed truck for the journey around
the island.

Fortunately for me in any event, the ramps we have over here are deep water
all the time, so I will be able to launch and recover to my trailer
regardless of tides.  But trailers are really important; the propane tank
carrier you mention might come in handy in the future; and I'll definitely
look into it.

Thanks for the tip!

VBR,

Pat