That sounds like a sound plan Frank. I'm lucky since I can also mock-up the sub in a 3D models and place one or more human models inside, one being my size, before I would make the cardboard model. Of course as you well know the bigger the pressure hull space for human occupancy, the more buoyant you are, which translates to more weight added to the whole project. Unless you can add allot of extra batteries to fill up some air space down low and add weight. Believe me I want bigger if I can afford it. Put it this way I would rather have a dog house to live in then none at all. ; )'
I know of a couple of guys here that have been, or are in the dog house with there wives because of there sub dreams. So put a blue tip saw and a metal glue gun in there, and get to work.
About two years ago when I met my girlfriend. I made a point of letting her know I was planning to build subs and hopefully a live aboard sub so I could travel with my crazy buddies and her of course, all over the world. I told her this so she could run away screaming, "crazy water man". I also told her that if you want to be the salt of the earth, you need to be where lots and lots of salt is. She didn't run. She's a keeper. : )'
Sincerely,
Brent
From: ShellyDalg@aol.com
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Serious Steel
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:35:23 EST
Hello Brent. That is indeed some serious steel. I would suggest you sit inside before plunking down your money though. 39 inches is pretty small. It would be fine if you were planning on lying down in it, but sitting may be a problem.I've been in 36, 42, and 52 inch subs, and the last was definitely the best. Even at that size, you are sitting with your head in the tower. It's kinda hard to see out the front window unless you crawl forward and get up close to it. Kinda like tunnel vision unless you get up close.I would suggest doing a mock-up of any size or shape you were contemplating. It can be as simple as a cardboard "thing" glued together. Just something to give you an idea of how the inside will look, and fit your style.I built a wire frame and cardboard mock-up of several shapes and sizes before I even started seriously designing my hull. That's how I ended up with the different shape ( flattened sphere ) because I wanted to be able to sit side by side with my passenger, or center and close to the window.It's cheap, easy, and really gives you a good feel for what the inside will be like.I used it for planning the placement of batteries, tanks, controls, seats, and windows, until it got rained on and went to hell...Frank D.
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