Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Launching at the boat ramp (was: Langkawi Islands)

[Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@ebay.sun.com>]

Hi Pat,

You can send the AVI to me and I'll put on the web site. That way you don't
choke everyones email.

Regards,
Ray

> From: "Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>
> To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Launching at the boat ramp (was: Langkawi 
Islands)
> Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000 20:12:38 -0000
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> X-Priority: 3
> X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> X-Mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600
> 
> All,
> 
> Another problem I had with launch and recovery  was the fact that, while the
> NAUTILUS MINISUB needed about 4-1/2 feet of water on the ramp to float free
> of the trailer, the place on the ramp where that depth occurred was maybe 30
> feet down from the water's edge; and if I tried to drive the trailer to that
> point, I'd also submerge the van I was using as a tow vehicle.
> 
> I solved this problem by modifying the trailer with a removable third wheel
> attached to the tongue.  I'd back up to the ramp; chock, unhitch, and raise
> the trailer with a floor jack; install the third wheel; remove the floor
> jack; pull the van about 50-feet forward; and connect the "trike-trailer"
> and van with a heavy steel cable.  On launch, my crew would pull the chocks,
> and I'd back the trailer down the ramp on the end of a 50-foot cable.  That
> way, I got the boat to the depth it needed, and kept the van clear of the
> water at the same time.
> 
> Today, I'm in the process of getting our new PC/Video editing equipment
> together; should be up in a couple days or less.  I've already decided to do
> an AVI of this launching sequence as my first experiment in computer
> editing, and I might be able to send a copy of it to those who wants to see
> it, and whose computer has the ability to download AVI files.  (It will
> probably take a long time to download from your email, but you can always
> delete it afterwards.)  This will show how the boat sitting backwards and
> pitched nose-up on the trailer, translated into a near-perfectly level
> launching attitude when the boat was on the ramp.  I'm not saying this is
> the way everybody should do it, but it worked well for me in this particular
> instance, so i thought I'd pass it on for the benefit of those who might
> face similar problems.
> 
> I'll post a message when the AVI is ready.
> 
> That's all for now; gotta get ready to go to work tonight.
> 
> VBR,
> 
> Pat
> vulcania@interpac.net
> 
> 
>