Ballast and trimming the boat

[pirate]

Hey guys, What are some good easy to find references on how to trim out a model submarine?

[bigdave]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

That is easy Pete!
Just add water.

Sorry I could not resist!!
My bad!! BD.

[Rogue Sub]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

One is an article Skip did for the SCR awhile ago. There is also a nice book out there but I cant remember the exact title off the top of my head.

[bigdave]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

Sure!
Make me look like an idiot with an actual answer!!
No one knows more about ballasting a sub than Skip.
I know for a fact that there are some very good articals in past SCR's on the subject.
Most of this info should be in a "How To" section.
Or in Jeff's book he has been writing of the past 10 years.
Just jerking your chain Jeff!! My bad again!!

[JWLaRue]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

re: book.....

Yea, I seem to remember that writing the book was overcome by the sudden lack of an editor for the SCR. Someone convinced me to become the new editor......and that took up all my available time away from any book.

-Jeff

[JWLaRue]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

....just to make sure that my above post is not misunderstood......

I was referring to an event around 10 years ago. I have *not* signed up to assume the duties of editor again.

-Jeff

[steveneill]

Re: Ballast and trimming the boat

Pete on my 1/32 VIIC Jeff was a big help on the trimming. Because he has a similar sized boat he could relay information to me that allowed me to some what pre-trim the boat. That and the fact that even the Revell VIIC even though 1/72 had the same proportions. I the first time I dropped her in the water she was dead on. She only needed a bit of lead fore and aft to get her diving and I was done.

It never works out so well but it did this time. So comparison to another boat in the same size and category can be of help. The rest is just feeling the boat out. You can kind of look her over and get a feel. You know how much the cylinder is displacing. You know the weight and you know if there's more weight either fore or aft.

Keel weight it. Add some foam where you think it might be needed based on the above information and I think you'll be surprised. Anyway that's my way. Little science and a lot of dead reckoning!

Steve