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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.



Chip,
 
    Too funny.  Your story sounds AWEFULLY familiar.  I was a "closet subber" until very recently.  I finally couldn't stand living with the FEAR, and REJECTION, of not knowing if I would be made to look the fool as a result of my fixation on submarines.  I came out and said one day,
 
"Honey, guess what, I'm going to build a sub." 
 
"A what ?"
 
"A sub, you know, a submarine."
"
Ya, I know what a sub is.  Why in the world do you want to build a sub ?  How are you going to build a sub ?  What do you know about subs ??"
 
"I want to build a sub because I love subs, need subs,  I want subs.....just like I love, want, and need you.....but not more than you.....sweetie. (starting with the prioritizing list.  It's a hard pill to swallow but heh, you gotta do what you gotta do).  I am going to build a sub by doing a bunch of research first (she likes it when I do "intellectual" stuff).  I don't know much about subs right now but I'm capable of learning and consider it a fantastic challenge (who can argue with challenging oneself.  It beats watching T.V. with a bag of chips)."
 
"How much is this "sub" going to cost ?"
 
You see, now that's when I knew I had 'er made.  If she was adamant about "No way are you spending money on this....this...."project", I would have had a lot tougher case to argue.  With the "How much" statement, it means she is actually interested in it and wants to know more about this crazy idea.  I've learned to read body language and subtle cues in 7 years of marriage.
 
"I don't really know right now but I'm looking into it."
 
Now I just need to get some facts, put them in a nice binder like you said (that's a good idea, looks PRO), and promise I won't kill myself, leaving her and the kids to fend for themselves.  I hope I can pull it off.  I've got an "Ace in the hole" though.  If I say I'll put my '69 Camaro up for sale to fund the project, she'll know I'm serious. (I'm still contemplating that very idea).
 
In any case......want to go for coffee sometime ?
 
Myles.
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Will
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:44 PM
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

I have been doing my sub design on and off for about a year. I have about half of the systems draw up in AutoCAD in 3-D. I have yet to look at the budget real close but I would guess $10-15K. Figure 2-3 years build time with my schedule. All this and the wife doesn't even know I want to do this. I'll get up the nerve to ask her someday. Figured I need to have it all figured out and budgeted on paper to even approach her on it. Maybe a nice presentation binder and such.
 
Or it may die a lingering death on my hard drive. Who knows. We are self employed so it's not like I have all this free time. I always laugh at people who say they are going to start a business so they can work their own hours....yeah right! Try mon-sat 8 AM to 8 PM... The business comes first! It pays the bills!
 
Chip
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Myles Hall
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:30 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Chip,
 
   I hear what you're saying.   Us guys that are bound and determined to make their marriages work often have to put their prides on hold, step back, and decide what is important.  The situation with the sub is a little different.  I understand having to justify several thousands of dollars of the house hold budget for some pipes welded together that will sink in water (no shit).  She wants to know roughly how much, I can appreciate that.  I'm just thankful she's the responsible one.
 
   Since we're ordering, I'll take a large double, double.
 
Myles.
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Will
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:43 PM
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Medium, non-fat mocha for me please....  hold the whipped cream
 
Chip
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Rick and Marcia
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 12:26 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Hi, Again . . .
 
Yeah, trains and prairies go hand in hand    :-)
 
This is my first sub.  I'm keeping it simple with straight electrics - trolling motors and lots of batts.
 
The Typhoon hull form I will be using is about as cheap as I can get it.  Making it a dry ambient boat eliminates the complexity and expense of a one-at boat and yet provides for beautiful panoramic underwater views.  Plywood for the simple curves is dirt cheap.  Cockpit is heavier ply - cheap.  Fiberglass & epoxy, not so cheap.  Canopy less than $500.  Seats - cheap.  Motors less than $600.  Batts about $500-$600.  Gauges simple.  Air tanks will be rentals. Regs second hand.  Will use a second hand boat trailer for hauling to the boat launch. Tuxedo rental, espresso maker and martini glass to impress onlookers - priceless.
 
Rick
Vancouver
----- Original Message -----
From: Myles Hall
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 7:33 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Rick,
 
   Im a bit of a train guy as well as sub guy so yes, I was aware that locomotives were in fact diesel / electrics.
 
   I am leaning towards the diesel / electric method in an effort to keep things as simple and reliable as possible.  I see shafts,bearings and clutches as sources of mechanical breakdown.  In the end, the cost would likely ballance out anyway if a person was to factor in maintenance and replacement of these parts.  The thought of messing around with them once they are installed is not appealing, pretty tight quarters in there. 
 
   At this point, I'm still in "dreamer / planner " mode, wondering if I can get the funding together to make something like this happen.  There are many other factors that I'm thinking about as in simply being able to transport and launch a sub that weighs about 7000 lbs.  (but that's a whole other topic).  I need to come up with a financial proposal for the board of directors (my wife) which is what I'm trying to figure out.
 
   By the way, I'm about 3 hours south east of North Battleford.  Quite arguably as far away from the ocean that a person can get.    .....I'm looking at making the sub for fresh water lakes anyway.
 
   Thanks for the response.
 
Myles.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 11:52 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Hi, Myles - anywhere near North Battleford?
 
Thanks for all the warm sub thoughts.  You have now entered the hallowed halls of the I-wanna-dive-around-the-world-in-a-sub crowd.
 
Rather than re-inventing the wheel, I'd opt for the diesel electric model myself and for much the same reasoning as you presented: simplicity.
 
It works in subs and locomotives well enough.  Many people don't realize that locomotives are not diesel operated they are electric.  Those chugga-chugga sounds are diesel generators.
 
Rick Lucertini
Vancouver
----- Original Message -----
From: Myles Hall
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:19 PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Another nutcase here.

Hello all,
 
   Like all of us here, I have this wierd fettish with subs.  U-Boats are my "thing". (Peter Madsen is cool in my book)  I have dreamt of building one for years but always thought it beyond my scope.  That was until I stumbled upon PSUBS.org.  By tuning into discussions and reading everything I can get my hands on, I am coming to the realization that "normal / average" (perhaps that isn't the right term)  people build these things and not some excentric millionaires or something. (you know, the same guys that take solo hot air balloons around the world).  Over the period of several months, my confidence has grown to the point now where I tell myself, "I could build one of those."  The group here at PSUBS is indeed "special".  I admire each and every one of them for following their passion, whether they bring it to fruition or not.  The guys that actually get something in the water have really accomplished something unique.
 
Does anybody have any thoughts on direct drive diesel / electric propulsion ?  I am still contemplating whether that is the way to go, or whether a guy should use the diesel / electric as a generator to power the thrust motor ?  I like the direct drive method for it's added efficiency, price (Only have to buy one motor/generator instead of two, one generator and one thruster) and generally more "U-Boat" like, but I am wondering if the engineering required to get the shaft connected in line with the clutches and bearings through the pressure hull while maintaining pressure hull integrity is worth it. (what does it take to seal that shaft ?).  I also have concerns with the mechanical dependability of the two clutches that would be required.  (Could be a real bugger to get in there for maintenance and replace). The other way would simply mean connecting an external electric thruster to the battery source that is being charged by the diesel which I believe would be easier to do. (Am I right here ?).
 
   I'm more interested in building a 1ATM  U-Boat resembling sub that has decent surface performance rather than something that will dive deep.  I'm aiming for an operation depth of 35M.
 
Thoughts / opinions on propulsion ?
 
Myles Hall
Saskatchewan Canada.