[PSUBS-MAILIST] Propane sub

[CWall@swri.edu]

Craig,

Where will you be using this sub? If it is headed for the ocean, it seems to 
me that 15-30 might be on the shallow side for normal ops.

I assume the hull will run to some sort of standard configuration? What's it 
going to look like? Are you building something to cruise in, or something to 
noodle around the reefs (or lake bed) in?

Vance


Actually, I had places like fiords and long lakes like the Elephantine
Reservoir in mind, although some reef diving would be nice.  I wasn't much
thinking about offshore blue water work, although I did want to operate it
initially in a towed mode, in which case the Gulf appeals to me.  In any case,
I want to sightsee, and it gets too dark much further down.

Frankly, this is more surface craft than sub- some of the transoceanic row
boats are nearly subs, and this is just one with a bit more capability.

I do anticipate a "pretty" hull- I don't know how to describe it other than as
I already have: derived from a round section tube, but with the ends "darted"
and drawn together- when I do this with cardboard tubes, I've been able to get
some very pleasing shapes- but they are not torpedo shapes; they're more like a
 cross between that and a sea kayak.  Moderately upswept sharp bow, round
center section for the P-hull/crew compartment, and sharp stern- like a big
rounded canoe.  And then side ballast tanks to get a little better rolling
behavior.  I might even go with an detachable blade keel to damp rolling in
some operations.

The cruising aspect is mainly an overnight capability- at 2 kts cruise, you'll
be looking at the scenery for a while, and I want to be able to run out for a
day or more to get to isolate places to dive and then camp, possibly.   

In general, I want to be left alone for a few days at a time to just enjoy
myself in a vehicle I designed and built. I'm not looking to interest anyone
else in reproducing it; it's just for me and I'm not addicted to comfort, so I
don't mind roughing it.  I'm a sailpane pilot used to spending long hours in
very confined cockpits, so this is little more than that.

It's not very ambitious, when you think about it.

Craig Wall