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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] GIZMAG: SeaBird claimed to be world's fastest personal submarine -- and it doesn't even have a motor
I agree with Carsten. Last March I was invited to attend a presentation
given by the AquaVenture President Rich Maurer here in NH, which I did.
The prototype was constructed of fiberglass although I understand at
this point they have transitioned to a steel hull. In my opinion,
Maurer was ill-prepared to talk about his project (worst presentation I
have ever seen) and additionally he simply does not understand the
market he his shooting for. He certainly is no dummy as an FAA Air
Transport Pilot for a major US airline as well as some other things in
his resume that I don't recall. Suffice to say I was impressed with his
resume. However, anyone who promotes skimming underneath the water at
40mph as a quality underwater experience simply doesn't understand
economics, quality of service, or the risks of such activity.
At most, and at its best, SeaBird is a towable Bionic Dolphin. After he
gave his presentation and opened up for questions (only about 10 people
in attendance at this event) I suggested to him that his venture was
exactly that, a towable Bionic Dolphin, and asked if he shouldn't be
marketing it more as a thrill-ride than a personal submersible? He took
great offense to the analogy and let me know it, even though I did not
intend it as an offensive remark. My point, which I was unable to
complete because of his reaction, was that at 40mph what exactly do you
expect to see underwater? In 60-70% of the worlds populated area you
are going to see nothing because of visibility issues. In warm
climates, good visibility waters, you're going to see a blur of rocks
going by.
Now as a thrill ride I can understand the attraction and bet people
would spend some money to ride fast underwater...once. That then gets
into all the economic costs and risks associated with letting people who
can't even drive a car behind the controls of an underwater vessel towed
at 40mph behind a boat through a coral reef. Exactly how big of a tow
boat, gulping how many gallons of fuel per hour, do you need to tow a
submarine 150 feet underwater? Collision avoidance? Is Grandma or 10
year old Johnny going to understand how to use a sonar system to avoid
boulders and other underwater obstacles while traveling 40mph?
I really wish there was something here other than potential use as a
thrill ride. But in terms of it being a practical personal submersible,
my feeling is it simply doesn't fit the bill. He may know airplanes but
he doesn't know submarines.
Jon
On 1/2/2012 2:52 PM, MerlinSub@t-online.de wrote:
Hi Michael,
in WWII the Germans used rebuild torpedos for human purpose.
The first prototyp one runs on 40 knots. After one test ride they found no driver for another ride..
They cut the batterie voltage to the half and it runs on 17 knots.. Still not useful.
Later the reduce the speed more and more.. The working version run on 4 knots as max.speed.
But the driver discripe this as fast and run normal slower..
The figures they give for the seabird indicates for me that the designers have no expierence with such sub.
We have here some..
http://www.euronaut.org/content/gfx/old_projects/diogenes01.jpg
Diogenes was such a towing sub. Build for one scuba and made from a old MIG drop fuel tank.
We scarp it after some trials. The smallest missalinement on the flippers and rudders and the units goes acrobatic.
And yust 2 meters up and down in a few seconds is too much for a scuba - special at shallow waters.
And yes at 4 knots you needs normaly other rudder sizes as on 22 knots..
The problem is to find a towing boat big in size to keep it on board and on the other side is slow as possible at idle speed so the driver of the sub feel still comfortable.. A motorboat with variable pich prop will be great.
And you need a quick rope release button and big beak flaps on the "sub" in case you not find the wreck you search for - but the wreck find you...
By the way - In case somebody has the need - you can tow nearly any stable strait running psub with towing hook
behind a boat. Means you have than both possiblities.
vbr Carsten
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