Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Ballast Vent fittings

["ojaivalleybeefarm @dslextreme.com" <ojaivalleybeefarm@dslextreme.com>]

Hi Jon,

               Thanks for your interest.  The quick answer to "why ferro-cement" is probably because I'm nuts ! 

 I guess I just like the concept of working with the stuff, I see a lot of unique characteristics that it offers.  Somewhere along the line I got hooked on it.  The book I purchased on building ferro-cement sailboats really highlighted all of the positive aspects of ferro-cement.  If it's done right and sealed really well with the epoxy coating, it will still be around a couple of thousand years from now and it will be stronger than it is today, since concrete continues to strengthen over time.  I won't have to buy lead, and it also offers a fluid, free-form shape.

 

I'm currently trying to get all my figures on an excel spread sheet, problem is my design keeps changing and evolving ! 

 

weight of  ferro body out of water = 7,000 lbs

weight of ferro body in water        = 3,956 lbs

 

weight of concrete             =  150 lbs/cu ft

 

ballast volume                              =  115 cu ft   (lift = 7,360)

 

Pressure hull  - one cylinder 96" x 26" dia     net positive bouyency = 3,061 lbs (lift)

                       - one cylinder 60" x 48" dia     net positive bouyency = 1,056 lbs (lift)

                       + transition cone 

 

I will know some more exact calculations after I get it in the water.  I'm hoping to weigh it in the water with it flooded.  I just have to do some additional coating of the inside.  Then I will be ready to seal the two halves together ( with 10 gallons of 3M 5200)  and bolts all the way around.  Ultimately I want this thing to be a work horse.  I would like to put a small Yanmar diesel engine in it for surface travel, like a small sailboat engine.  I need to go about 12 miles out to Anacapa Island from Channel Islands Harbor.

 

On Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 12:32 PM, Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org> wrote:

Hi Brian,

I'd like to highlight your submarine at UI2012 this year.  I'll be presenting a PSUBS update and will be reviewing projects that are ongoing.  I've got photos of the submarine, but just want to make sure I understand what the ferro-cement structure is primarily used for.  Is it intended to primarily be your ballast?  If so, why ferro-cement, why the particular shape you selected, how much does it weigh in at, how much displacement?

Any info (background, overview) you can give me will help.

Thanks,
Jon

On 1/4/2012 7:27 PM, ojaivalleybeefarm @dslextreme.com wrote:

Hi All,
              Been working on my ballast vent fittings.  This will also be where high pressure air will be injected as well when the vent valve is in the closed position.
Brian

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