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Hi Frank, Ya the sealant was still in good condition, but is was not likely the original factory sealant. This sub had at least one refit in it's life already. If I understand correctly, if all the air were to come out the the MBT with no pilot inside, and the hatch was sealed, the sub would still be floating with the hatch above the water line. In my new configuration with the acrylic cylinder conning tower and metal hatch, that can be sealed and unsealed, from the inside and outside, I should be in great shape if I always leave the sub with it's hatch sealed. My hatch land height will be a foot higher then it was. Also since I plan to have large 6 foot long inflatable pontoons, this sub isn't going down at any dock, unless some one takes a shot gun to it. I was thinking that if I use a soft urethane gasket and seal it onto the inside of the FRP tanks, which is the roughest of the two surfaces I'm trying to seal to each other, then the seal would only be loose on the smooth head surface. I was thinking that might seal pretty good. I would test the seal as part of the sea trials. Does that sound do-able? Your resident pipe dreamer ;)' Regards, Szybowski From: ShellyDalg@aol.com Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 20:42:54 -0500 Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Removing Front MBT To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org Brent. A separate gasket ( rubber?) may not give you a good enough seal if you ever leave the sub at the dock, even for a short period. It looks in the pictures like the RTV has held up well considering it's age. I'd be careful about maintaining a good seal at that point. Always thought it would be better to have complete envelope tanks attached so a leak can't occur. My tanks, although a different shape, are separate complete tanks bolted on. I will be able to crash into stuff without fear of losing the ability to rise. They are made of 12 gage stainless, and will get a huge dent long before they fail. Frank D. |