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[PSUBS-MAILIST] Speculation...
Greetings:
Well, being a new guy I guess I
can get away with asking something that has probably already been discussed,
maybe more than once.
When are submarines going to go
mainstream? When will I commonly see people trailering their sub to the
lake? Will they ever be even half as popular as surface craft. And
the biggy, what sort of design would it take?
First off, I don't think one of
these super-heavy types we're seeing will ever catch on. Nobody wants to
give the old Vitara a hernia trying to budge one. Plus, if you consider
you're looking at $50000 to $60000 to build a KA-350, IF you do as much of the
work yourself as you can, the average guy won't opt in.
So what about a lightweight
design made of composites framed up something like an old tube and fabric
airplane? Yeah, ballast will be a MAJOR issue. How about water
ballast, maybe combined with some lead? Flood and blow?
Another thing, most people
aren't divers like me. They'll want a dry sub, and enough room to take the
fam for a cruise. And they'll want a trailerable boat. And being a
diver, I can tell you now I'd rather free swim with scuba gear than ride in a
wet sub.
There is a design, it just has
to be thought of. And when it is, submarines will become a popular sport
beyond us compulsive tinkerers and dreamers, a sport within reach of the average
working guy for weekend entertainment.
Has anyone looked at adapting
airplane building techniques to submarines? So far, heavy and traditional
has not brought about the "everyman sub". Maybe going in a totally
unexpected direction is the answer to finding the design. Just some
thoughts. I might be crazy, ha ha!
Cheers!
Rick...