Seagull powered submarine

[markwilliamson]

I figured some of you guys will get a kick out of this. I built it last year on a canoe hull. Somewhat seaworthy and a lot of fun!

[Charles uk]

Won't you need a snorkel on the carb?

Nice work! That will generate a few smiles.

[markwilliamson]

Actually... here's a photo showing the snorkel for the carb We towed it in a parade a few weeks ago. That's my father-in-law in the drivers seat.

[Romainpek]

It looks a bit top heavy... is it stable while navigating on the surface?

[markwilliamson]

It is surprisingly stable. Very good primary stability (I think it's called) and (I'd say) no secondary stability. The top structure which is made of thin aluminum and some wood weighs around 75 pounds and has a low center of gravity. I do have some inflatable outrigger pontoons that provide a little more safety. I've thought about adding ballast because the outriggers look a little silly.

Being a canoe with a flat bottom it has its limitations. It is prone to weather-cocking in the wind and doesn't cut through the water like a v-hull. The drivers view is also severely limited by the conning tower.

I can't yet comment on the subsurface performance

[Charles uk]

Isn't the periscope there for the Helmsman to see where he's going?

[markwilliamson]

The conning tower is kid-sized and the periscope actually has very nice optics but is non-functional. The optics are from what was a high quality pair of binoculars which sat out in the weather and were beyond repair. A neighbor gave it to me explaining that it "was from the guy who died and used to hunt big game in Africa". No explanation as to who this fellow was but his memory and exploits live on as part of the sub.

My wife rides in the front which is necessary for ballast. I haven't told her that she's "ballast". From the drivers position in the rear we can't speak over the roar of the Seagull so I installed a speaking tube with a funnel on either end. Works well. She waves her arms when she wants to speak and I flash the front cockpit, red tactical reading lamp as a signal when I need to talk to her.