Submarine driven by kites

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by schakel, Feb 1, 2016.

  1. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

  2. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    For a non-military vessel I would see kites as a good way to help ambling about when not submerged. A way to get the functionality of sail without the rigging that would slow the boat underwater.

    Same with a motor cruiser for the Great Loop or what have you. It may completely ruin the ambiance of a paddlewheel river boat to be flying a kite, but style, like submerging for a sub, is still an available choice.
     
  3. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    Thanks, That's what I wanted to say. It is for speed record breaking.
     
  4. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    There is also this thought: I've previously considered that a kite that was illuminated, perchance the way they do airships, might add make a nice safety feature for nighttime use.

    As well as scare the heck out of UFO believers along the shore.

    But for a small private sub operating underwater I would wonder if the glow might not attract some fish, permitting potential new ways to for the well heeled to watch them.

    As well as scare the heck out of UFO believers on nearby boats....
     
  5. bpw
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    bpw Senior Member

    What speed record are you interested in breaking?
     
  6. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Are you trying to compete with a kite powered submarine against nuclear powered?
     
  7. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    As there's probably no record for actually "sailing" sailing around the world while submerged the first to do so sets the record. :p
     
  8. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    It's just an idea. But being submerged is safer and gives less drag. So a world sailing speed record like the wssrc. Fastest 500 metre, currently held by Paul Larsen with Vestas Sailrocket 2. 65.45 knots at walvisbay. Nanibia. I would pick another place like clear water, more then 5 meters of depth, lots of steady wind, not to much waves.
    Not too many fish or polution. Bermuda? Guernsey.

    How to control the sub is clear to me. How to steer the kite is same as kiteboarding only underwater.
     
  9. bpw
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    bpw Senior Member


    Submerged may have less drag than a displacement boat, buy no way is it less than foiling.
     
  10. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    There's at those speeds also a lot of drag from air resitance.
    The sub will be something like a torpedo.
    And capable of creating an awfull lot of lateral resistance needed for forward powering.
     
  11. bpw
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    bpw Senior Member

    Water is a lot denser than air, air drag is trivial compared to water drag.
     
  12. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    Because the lateral forces are incomparable to foilers, the propeling force is incomparable to the resistance. Only way to prove it is to test it.
    Another thing is that being underwater with high speed is not enjoyable.
    Even only dangerous. Only to be done to obtain the world record.

    Applications on a bigger scale for commercial sail, is even more farfetched.
    But still tantalising in my idea.
    Might as well call it a crazy invention.
    The bike was that as well in the old age.
    But i am not going to do this project.
    (better things to do)
     
  13. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Anything can be compared. It is only a matter of finding the proper correcting factors.
     
  14. schakel
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    schakel environmental project Msc

    True, in this case; lateral forces and thus propelling power that corrects the somewhat higher resistance. Only test can prove the comparison but due to the danger and the unfun of being underwater this project will not be executed. At least,not by me.

    Think before you start.
     

  15. Jamie Kennedy
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    Jamie Kennedy Senior Member

    It would be an interesting way to weather a storm and still make some speed. :)
     
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