[PSUBS-MAILIST] trackdrive

Thu Jul 24 17:28:19 EDT 2014

I agree that launch and retrieval is key for a vertical boat like this.

A friend of mine, Gary Boucher launches his boat Vindicator on a trailer at a bot ramp with a cable between the trailer and truck.  

To launch, he backs the boat a close as possible to the water.  He then chocks the trailer and disconnects from hitch.  He then attaches a 50 ft cable from truck to trailer.  He then pulls cable tight and unchocks the trailer.  He then back the truck/trailer into the water until psub  lifts off.  I helped him launch on one trip and we had no trouble using this technique other than it being slow and other boat trailers were impatient.

Cliff

________________________________
 From: Alan via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2014 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] trackdrive

Cliff,
the sled idea might be messy, as you would need to transfer to the sled in
relatively shallow water & transition from a buoyant state to a neutral state
on to the platform with wave motion throwing you about. Even if it was dead
calm launching, you couldn't rely on it being that way when you came up.
It could be dangerous for the support person manoeuvring the sub on to
the platform. 
To me launching the R500 is going to be a big issue. I found I couldn't launch
my little 360 kg sub in a local lake & have to travel 3 & 1/2 hrs to get into
some fresh water diving. 
Cheers Alan

Sent from my iPad

On 25/07/2014, at 1:14 am, Cliff Redus via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:

>
>Hank,
>
>
>You have hit my key issues with tracks integrated into boat.  I will add one more.  You are adding a lot of weight/cost/complexity for some thing that is used only on launch and retrieval.
>
>Maybe I should use the big DC traction motor I am taking out of the 
>R300 as well as the motor controller and old joystick and build a submersible  powered tracked launch and retrieval sled.  Support diver drives the sled with the R500, pilot onboard, off a flatbed trailer on to the beach, and out far enough to lift the R500 off the sled. Reverse process on retrieval.   Could use it to launch off both beach sand and conventional ramp.  Add enough batteries to
 make the sled negatively buoyant when the R500 lifts off the sled.
>
>
>Could work.
>
>
>Cliff
>
> 
>
>________________________________
> From: hank pronk via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
>To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> 
>Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2014 6:51 AM
>Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] trackdrive
>  
>
>
>Alan,
>The fellow that helps me test and dive my subs is a huge fan of tracks on a sub.  We debate this for hrs after a big struggle at a lake trying to launch.  This idea would be the ultimate system.  The problem is, if it were electric, the power consumption would be huge and put a big drain on your batteries.  I figured the only way to do it would be with a gas motor hyd power pack.  Hook up the quick connectors to launch, then disconnect.  The next problem is, tracks, even rubber, are very heavy. The setup could weigh 1,000 lb easily if it is carrying a sub.  Then there is the cost, think big!  :-)    It would be the ultimate though!
>Hank
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>   
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