[PSUBS-MAILIST] Hull diameter, and other musings

[greg cottrell]

Hi Joe,
 
Yes, Proteus was named after the sub in the movie Fantastic Voyage. I thought that was the coolest movie ever when I was a kid!
 
As far as diving goes, the sub has not been underwater for five years. But from 1994 until 2008 it dived in Virginia (lake Anna many times) Maryland (Chesapeake Bay) and Pennsylvania (Bainbridge quarry and Raystown Lake). After the 2006 Psubs convention I left the sub in a marina right by the lake for quite a while. I used to leave work on Friday and drive to Raystown, get the sub from the marina, tow it to a lake side campsite, charge the batteries and replace bottles of air, then dive all weekend and go back to work on monday. It was a good time!
 
Since then I've been building a new sub but the Proteus is also close to being done with a total overhaul and hopefully will be back in action soon. My plan is to eventually dive both subs together with help from a few friends.
 
 
Greg
 
 
 
 
 
 

________________________________
From: Joe Perkel <josephperkel at yahoo.com>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hull diameter, and other musings



Boy I tell you, these little vignettes into life with a PSUB are driving home the realities of compromise. Thanks for the insight Greg.
 
The Nektons have a nice shape for towing and a reasonable and workable compromise on volume, something to consider for emulation with regard to diameter limited to say 42". My problem is that I very much like the configuration of research submersibles with all of their goodies hanging out in the wind,.. so to speak.
 
I would want a significant night dive, photography, video, and light recovery capability. This does not lend itself readily to streamlining, so I am wondering lately if a quick-release hydrodynamic FRP bow shell should be considered. 
 
I'm thinking that I could have the environmental issues solved by the inclusion of AC. 
 
Where do you dive Proteus Greg? Is the name a nod to it's namesake in the 66' film Fantastic Voyage?
 
Joe
 


________________________________
From: greg cottrell <jgcottrell2002 at yahoo.com>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 9:35 AM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Hull diameter



The hull diameter on Proteus is a comfy 51" and it certainly has its benefits. I've had three people aboard the sub for more than an hour and it was very comfortable. 
 
But there are also downsides. First, It does not tow very well at all. Some days were spent  towing it to get to the dive site for hours and it can use up the whole day towing instead of diving. The other problem is the amount of drought- on more than one occasion I trailered the sub to a new location just to find that the ramp wasn't deep enough to float the sub off and had to pack up and go home. Not a fun day!
 
If you go for a large diameter, pay more attention to streamlining and some method of getting it on and off the trailer in shallow water.
 
Greg
 
 
 


________________________________
From: Jon Wallace <jon.wallace at yahoo.com>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Dive report - Pickles Reef





Larger diameter for sure.


________________________________
From: Joe Perkel <josephperkel at yahoo.com>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2013 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Dive report - Pickles Reef



....and given a choice between lengthening or widening for increased interior volume, (keeping in mind tow-ability and trailer-ability)
 
What is the general consensus?
 
Joe


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