[PSUBS-MAILIST] Hookah Sub (First Try)

[DJACKSON99@aol.com]

Hi all

I am trying to design a low cost, easy to construct, 2-person dry ambient submersible for shallow lakes (60 ft).  Visibility is poor so speed is not important. Materials must be common and not special ordered.  It must be able to be constructed using only hand tools and a welder.  I want to be able to exit the sub while it's down for dives.  The cabin cannot flood (much) when I exit to dive, and I want a second egress that allows me to stay relatively dry.  It also has to weight less that 1 ton so its easy to tow, launch and recover. The primary air supply will be 3 air lines coming down from the surface where my towed hookah system will be following along.  One of the line will be used for cabin air and ballast contorl the other 2 will have regulators and enter the sub through the dive hatch. Hookah means I can exit the sub without a BCD or scuba tank and very little weight. The hatch can therefore be relatively small.  Maximum dive time is 3 hours, and then the hookah on the surface runs out of gas.

You can see my 1st design "H1" at http://members.cox.net/djackson99/sub/Sub_H1.htm

I would love to see other designs that meet some of these requirements and I welcome any suggestions from the group.

Thanks!
Doug Jackson