Model Boat Mayhem

Masterclasses => Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship => Topic started by: J.beazley on March 04, 2008, 07:14:26 pm

Title: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: J.beazley on March 04, 2008, 07:14:26 pm
I shall be following this build with keen interest, tried it didnt work smashed the thing to bits end of story.

heres a link to a LARGER on that may be of some use if you havent seen it before in your research.
http://www.scheepsmodelbouw.ismijnhobby.nl/

good luck with the build O0

Jay
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 04, 2008, 07:58:33 pm
Jay,

Could you tell me what problems you had?

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on March 04, 2008, 08:02:22 pm
hi Ian your a brave man as that one mean feat of model boat headache. O0
I have often though about building one of these boat but could never get my head a round how to get the ballast system to work. To get the boat to go up and down with no cargo is not to hard as it the same as a sub. But when she lifts and picks up another boat all the trim is out and needs compensating . Its this i could never work out . It would be nice to hear your ideas . All the best cant wait for the next up date.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 04, 2008, 08:05:52 pm
Well, at the moment I have the idea of 4 seperate ballast tanks and pumps, so I should (hopeful!) be able to adjust the trim. The water tanks look at the moment as though they will hold about 21 litresl of water.

Physical location of the gear is something I havent sorted yet!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: J.beazley on March 04, 2008, 08:14:15 pm
I had problems when i tried to get the water into the milk cartons i was using in the hull, the hull rolled to one side everytime i tried to get her submerged which is probably why i got annoyed and bined it.

The only other thing i recall was trying to get the hull submerged with just the water, didnt work as i was just effectivly adding water to the inside of the hull which didnt change the overall ballast of the hull.

Hope this is of some help

Jay
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on March 04, 2008, 08:22:29 pm
21 litre of water . Should get good lift from that amount of ballast. When I look at it i worked out that you want ballast tank full of water for full submerge about or no more than  30% for normal sailing, and totally empty for lifting  to gain extra lift. So at 21 litre tank you could lift about 12kg model . Make sure you ballast tanks are baffled to stop water sloshing a round.
I thought of 1 or 2 main lift tanks and about 4 small trim tanks around the boat best one each corner.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 04, 2008, 09:02:17 pm
John,

I was working on a lift of about 10kg, and, yes, I also reckoned about 1/4 to 1/3 full for normal running.

Baffling the tanks - yes I am aware of the need for that to minimise the free surface effect.

The reason I am thinking of 4 tanks at the moment is that I am unsure just how much space for pumps i will have, bearing in mind the rear section will have to be for drive units only.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on March 05, 2008, 01:51:21 am
ian
 heres a fellow who built one, i think it german or dutch
http://www.wk-e.de/Mighty%20Servant%203.html
and my fav
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/bigfordf550/lingebosproefvaart1-1.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/bigfordf550/Lingebos-001.jpg)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 05, 2008, 08:31:43 am
Bigford,
Thanks for that, I hadnt seen those pics before.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 06, 2008, 09:29:46 pm
Here's another link that I Keep handy...

http://www.wk-e.de/Mighty%20Servant%203.html

The data I recieved was for the MS-3 and the SS-3.

Are you doing the original hull, or the extended and widened hull for the Blue Marlin?
 :)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 06, 2008, 10:02:00 pm
Hi,
I am doing the widened hull version.

Due to the scale I am working at I am having difficulty getting the stern right below the waterline, I may have to modify to make it possible to model.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 07, 2008, 06:36:57 pm
If the stern is something like the MS-3...
Perhaps you can build up the stern smooth, and the fair in the propeller skegs.

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on March 07, 2008, 07:48:42 pm
hi Ian
I have been giving your model some though to day while driving to an from work.
1 let say you have a rectangle or a hull and 4 tanks on in each corner of 5L capacity each and 4 pumps. The vessel will go up and down on an even keel. OK now let add a bow and put in the recess of the stern we now have the vessel more buoyant to the bow. So we increase the bow tanks to say 6L or 7L and reduce the stern to 4L or 3L. The stern tanks will fill quicker than the bow causing the vessel to sink stern first, not the disired result. So remove 3 pumps use one pump and connect all 4 tanks with say 10mm dia pipe. This will allow all 4 tanks to fill evenly causing level sinking.

2 say you go to lift a 12kg model boat but she not on square to you central lifting point. Say she was over to port and a bit aft of centre . As you lift the rear port of you vessel would be lower and the front starboard would be up. To compensat if you wear using 4 tanks and 4 pumps you would need to put more water in the forward starboard tank. Then the % of extra weight in that tank would have to be maintained to keep you vessel level during the lift. This could be hard to achieve.

one way is to have the 4 linked tanks as lift only. Then you could put in trim tanks this is could be a lot of work. Or what you could do and i have seen done on a diffrent vessel. Is to have a thread bar that runs across the centre of the ship and on this bar there is say 1 kg weight. as the bar turns the weight moves to port or starboard depending on rotation . All so have the same bar for forward to aft. So when you star to lift you move the weight to re balance your boat. The beauty of this system over trim tanks is 1 you don't increase the weight of your boat and 2 it more controlable than moving water.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Adam on March 07, 2008, 10:39:04 pm
hi Ian
I have been giving your model some though to day while driving to an from work.
1 let say you have a rectangle or a hull and 4 tanks on in each corner of 5L capacity each and 4 pumps. The vessel will go up and down on an even keel. OK now let add a bow and put in the recess of the stern we now have the vessel more buoyant to the bow. So we increase the bow tanks to say 6L or 7L and reduce the stern to 4L or 3L. The stern tanks will fill quicker than the bow causing the vessel to sink stern first, not the disired result. So remove 3 pumps use one pump and connect all 4 tanks with say 10mm dia pipe. This will allow all 4 tanks to fill evenly causing level sinking.
You have to do a lot of driving home John, because this will not work.
You can never get four tanks to fill exactly the same.
Due to internal friction one tank will always fill quicker than the other one.
Look at the lay out of the ballast tanks of the original ships.
There aren’t that many tanks for no reason.
If it was as simple as you suggest, than they would build it like this in the big ships too.
That way the ships could be build a lot cheaper.

By the way, the original ships will sink stern first most of the time
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 08, 2008, 10:50:09 am
Umi,

I am already working on lines of what you suggest, developing my own stern lines faired into a single prop - the real Blue Marlin is a single prop.

John, thanks for the thoughts, interesting concept but i think its not practicable, the weight needed to be moved around would probably be too great, plus actually finding a place to fit it! At 1:175 I am surprisingly limited to space.

Adam, I agree with your comments, at the moment I am working on the concept of 4 tanks and 4 pumps, inidividually controlled. I will see how this works when I eventually get to the test tank stage. I am working on the idea of having a removeable deck, so I can test with the deck off, and modify as required.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: tigertiger on March 08, 2008, 12:35:57 pm
Let me start by saying I know nothing. But I have a couple of thoughts none the less.

I think the problem with differeing friction in the tanks could be minimised if the tanks were filled slowly.
With 10mm pipe between 5 Ltr tanks I don't see too much of an issue. That is a relativley fat cross section of pipe.

I imagine you may need to considet the distribution of the weight of water in the pipe as well.

If you used a two way pump then the water could also be pumped out slowly and I think she should come up fairly evenly. This way you would not need to tip the boat, just pick her up when the tanks are empty.

I can see that there may be a difference in bouyancy between fore and aft. But little issue port and starboard.

Perhaps 2 pumps. one for the two forward tanks (linked by a 10mm tube). A second pump for the two aft tanks (also connected to each other). The forward and aft tanks are not connected. With two pumps you can trim her as the tanks fill. Perhaps you could even use a mixer.

Just some initial thoughts.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: tigertiger on March 08, 2008, 12:41:09 pm
One other thought.

With four tanks (not connected) and four pumps.
You will be able to trim the ship to allow for picking up a load where the weight distribution is uneaven, of off centre.

This will take a lot longer to operate, but I am sure this is not done quickly with the real ship.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on March 08, 2008, 01:33:31 pm
hi Ian
I have been giving your model some though to day while driving to an from work.
1 let say you have a rectangle or a hull and 4 tanks on in each corner of 5L capacity each and 4 pumps. The vessel will go up and down on an even keel. OK now let add a bow and put in the recess of the stern we now have the vessel more buoyant to the bow. So we increase the bow tanks to say 6L or 7L and reduce the stern to 4L or 3L. The stern tanks will fill quicker than the bow causing the vessel to sink stern first, not the disired result. So remove 3 pumps use one pump and connect all 4 tanks with say 10mm dia pipe. This will allow all 4 tanks to fill evenly causing level sinking.
You have to do a lot of driving home John, because this will not work.
You can never get four tanks to fill exactly the same.
Due to internal friction one tank will always fill quicker than the other one.
Look at the lay out of the ballast tanks of the original ships.
There aren’t that many tanks for no reason.
If it was as simple as you suggest, than they would build it like this in the big ships too.
That way the ships could be build a lot cheaper.

By the way, the original ships will sink stern first most of the time


hi adam yer a hell of a lot just a mear 240 miles to day
so on the rear ship how many tanks do the have and to they have separate trim tanks.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 08, 2008, 01:45:52 pm
I tend to agree about the pipe friction TT, I was thinking in the region of 6 to 10mm pipe and two way pumps, as used in model subs. These pumps are rated about 1 to 2 litres a min. giving a somewhat realist ballast/deballast time.

The 4 tank idea was to try and allow compensation for out of centre loads as she rises, just as you say TT.

Keep am coming Lads - good discussion.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: tigertiger on March 08, 2008, 01:53:22 pm
Thinking completley out of the box now.
Seeing as you are probably going to need many channels for your radio. Pumps and all the usual stuff. Bow and stern thrusters as well no doubt.

Why not get one of those fancy radios wot does telemetry.

Then you can have a micro camera at each end, looking into the centre, so you can see how you are positionin yourself for a 'lift' from a more remote position. So maybe from the other side of the lake you can wow the crowds.

I don't know how this is done, but lost of video on Youtube of boats and planes with these cameras on board
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on March 08, 2008, 07:42:37 pm
Ian on sub as i have 3 . The pumps (car windscreen type ) cant hold pressure. IE water will seep past them. So if the pumps were mounted in the rear funnel i think above the flood deck this should get a round this problem.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on March 27, 2008, 12:00:19 am
How are you going to protect the woodwork?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on April 01, 2008, 10:45:19 pm
hi ian found this photo on the net Know its not your boat but thought it might be of some use.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 02, 2008, 08:47:10 am
Thanks for that John, I hadnt seen those pics.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: John W E on April 08, 2008, 09:29:42 pm
hi ya there

One method I have used in the past for planking into tight radius' is to split the plank in the centre - the length of the split is from at least 2 flat frames away from the frame with the radius in; and this prevents the split from running further up the plank when applying it.

Also, if you put a clamp across the end of the split that also helps to prevent it running further up the plank when applying.

Just out of curiosity, what type of wood are you using to plank the hull with?   

aye
john e
bluebird
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 08, 2008, 09:39:25 pm
John,

Good idea thanks. I am using cedar for the planking.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bbdave on April 09, 2008, 10:58:08 pm
Looks very interesting i'm curious on how it will all work so watching this space. by the way what is the warship being lifted in the pic?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Colin Bishop on April 09, 2008, 11:06:17 pm
Is it the USS Cole which was attacked by  an explosive motorboat in October 2000 in Aden?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on April 11, 2008, 12:18:48 am
yup that is the cole. she was towed back the the states.

how's it going madman????
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on May 01, 2008, 12:29:39 am
update's please  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bbdave on May 06, 2008, 05:49:04 pm
Hi Ian do you know how much ballast you will need to take on? i have just finished a sub and now realise that 20grams can be the difference between sink and swim depending where it's put.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 06, 2008, 06:04:30 pm
BB,

At this stage - havent a clue! But the tanks have a capacity of about 20l, so I hope that will be enough!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on May 06, 2008, 10:33:02 pm
Making nice progress.  O0



yup that is the cole. she was towed back the the states.


Actually, I think that is the Samual B Roberts FFG-58, after she hit a mine in the Persian Gulf.
Because the ship is on the deck straight. That would be the Mighty Servant 2 carrying her.
Check the superstructure and the stacks...
http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0758.htm

The Cole was set on the Blue Marlin at an angle across the deck.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/01067.htm

 ;)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 11, 2008, 08:11:04 pm
hi ian found this web site might be of use.

john

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freefoto.com/images/2026/32/2026_32_3---QE2-Queen-Elizabeth-2-the-flagship-of-the-Cunard-Line-_web.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.freefoto.com/preview/2026-32-3%3Fffid%3D2026-32-3&h=400&w=600&sz=52&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=em9WnmELWl4WpM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dqe2%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 11, 2008, 08:13:11 pm
hi link sort of work you will find a list on the left hand side there one heave lift vessel click on that.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 12, 2008, 08:51:35 pm
Great pics thanks.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 12, 2008, 11:04:29 pm
hi ian found this on you tube About 10 sec in shows how these boats sink.

john

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYqpU8b8vxI&feature=related
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 13, 2008, 08:54:00 am
Great stuff, thanks John.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on May 13, 2008, 09:02:06 pm
Oooh, more progress... O0

Cos,
Nice find for the Dockwise 11 and SS-3
I hadn't see those images before.

Ian,

Are you in need of photo references?
I have almost 200 items (75megs) of referances for the Dockwise ships.
Can't imagine how to get them to you,... Mail a disc?

Here are some scans I have archived of a magazine article for Walter Keisling's model.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 13, 2008, 10:02:48 pm
Umi,

PM sent

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 13, 2008, 11:47:43 pm
how much i wish that was in English or could read German top stuff umi.

Ian the boat looking great keep up the good work and the light at the end of the tunnel will switch on.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 14, 2008, 05:45:41 am
John,

Looking forward to that light!

I always find this part the slowest and frustrating at times.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on May 16, 2008, 07:32:50 pm
Its very impressive Ian.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Bryan Young on June 02, 2008, 06:04:25 pm
Its off the building board! WOO HOO O0

It will have to go back on though after some internal mods and strengthening!

Ian
"Boatmadman", could you please contact me via a PM as I would like to discuss the stability aspects of these fascinating ships. BY.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on June 04, 2008, 09:29:40 pm
very nice i was starting to lose faith  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 06, 2008, 06:02:43 am
Sanding out very nicely.

 8)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on June 09, 2008, 11:51:45 pm
so what are you thinking for the ballest pumps?? i can see building the boat, but sinking her evenly
 i cant figure out do  tell!! O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on June 10, 2008, 05:04:00 pm
Thats a secret - all may or may not be revealed in the fullness of time, depends whether it works or not  ;D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 10, 2008, 05:44:34 pm
Is the G cramp OK?    ::)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on June 10, 2008, 07:16:13 pm
thank goodness, yes, I would have been heartbroken otherwise. ???
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on June 17, 2008, 09:53:33 pm
looking good ian O0 O0 i still think you should have gone 1/50 scale ;)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on June 17, 2008, 10:29:03 pm
yeah, then I could have sat in her and sailed around!

Trouble is, I would need an HGV to get to the pond!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on June 17, 2008, 11:16:37 pm
i love that pic :D :o
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on June 17, 2008, 11:50:29 pm
looking good Ian . You going to have a working bow thruster.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 18, 2008, 12:29:27 am
looking good Ian . You going to have a working bow thruster.

john

And the two retractable azimuthing thrusters?...  O0

Looks really nice with the primer coat on!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Captain Jack on June 18, 2008, 01:13:12 am
I don't know about the lingo in the British Navy, but the term Bravo Zulu means "well done" in the US Navy. An awesome looking hull, therefore, a BZ to you sir.

EDIT: I stand corrected, the Royal Navy does indeed use the "Bravo Zulu" flag hoist, as it is used by all NATO forces.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on June 18, 2008, 07:59:26 am
A working bow thruster, yes, but not the retractable azimuth thrusters, there isnt enough room in the bows for them. (thats my excuse anyway).

Thanks for the comments folks.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on June 18, 2008, 09:31:51 pm
so is she going to be blue or orange hull
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on June 18, 2008, 09:33:48 pm
Probably orange, but I may change my mind.  ;D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 19, 2008, 06:21:48 am
Red works also... but it wouldn't be a dockwise ship...
 ;)
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/takr-9025-strongvirginian.jpg

plenty of styles and color to choose from...

(my favorite image site,... but do not repost any images from thier galleries.)
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/viewcat.php?cid=51

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 20, 2008, 06:34:22 pm

Was it enough to submerge the deck?
How are you draining the tanks to the point were the pump will attach?  8)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on July 02, 2008, 02:50:24 pm
ian

  can you post a pic from a few feet back so i can see the whole ship ::)
i have a few ideas for dropping below the water O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 02, 2008, 03:05:55 pm
Here you go, would love to hear your ideas.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on July 02, 2008, 03:15:26 pm
Ian how much do all your temporary timbers weigh, or are you assuming the superstructure will offset them ?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on July 02, 2008, 04:11:26 pm
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/bigfordf550/black_marlin01copy.jpg)

i was thinking that if you were to add the two uprights at the back of the boat. you
could add a water tank to the front of the ship higher then the work deck. as
you flood the boat the water would rise up the two towers at the back and the  tank
at the front and under she goes

(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/bigfordf550/marlinx.jpg)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on July 02, 2008, 04:22:59 pm
Surely you will still need more weight or it will just submerge to the level it is now.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 02, 2008, 04:29:50 pm
Dicky, the temp woodwork doesnt weigh so much, you are prob right that the superstructure will offset those. Yes, thinking about it, I need ballast weight (including hardware etc) to bring it down to near normal water level, then use the tanks to submerge.

Bigford, good ideas, however, due to the lack of space above the rudder, I am thinking of mounting the rudder servo in one of the upright columns at the rear and using the cable in sleeve stuff that fliers use - what is it called anyway?

The space above the rudder, plus a space either side are going to be free flooding as well, so that will help.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on July 02, 2008, 06:57:02 pm
Ian,

The hull has finished out beautifully.

I would image that a bit of well placed pieces of heavy ballast would be enough to tip the
balance from floating at the deck line, to a fully submerged deck.
I would reserve the stern ballast tanks for foam floatation to assure that the boat, at
neutral, or slightly negative bouancy stays upright, and doesn't turn turtle.

Aimee
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 02, 2008, 08:20:26 pm
Good point Umi  O0

Think I will fill the spaces with bubble wrap!

Ian

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on July 15, 2008, 10:27:16 pm
hi there Ian she looking good. have you worked out a way yet of rebalacing her once she picks up another boat.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 16, 2008, 08:24:50 am
John,

I am working on that at the moment, curently sealing up engine room and bow section so I can flood her down to a pick up level and experiment from there - watch this space.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on July 16, 2008, 10:08:18 am
This is really a big submarime (I've build a few of those) that doesn't go all the way down. I'd first work out how much you want to lift. Lets say 5kg. I'd then add say 10 kg of lead as low down as possible to keep the centre of gravity low. Keep the waterproof motor areas as small as possible, better still, keep your motor above the waterline by using one of those flexible drives the fast IC guys use. This again will keep your CoG low. Make sue your you have plenty of blue foam in the superstructure and all areas above the high waterline (buoyancy casings at the back). This will save save you toppling over and sinkinging if you lift an uneven load or your load rolls over. So if you have set a max lift of 5kg then you will only need 5litres of pumpable ballast (go for a bit more, 8-10l litres, to ballance for an uneven load). The rest of the hull can be free flooding to keep the weight of the model down. As for ballance tank placement, I'd go for 4 individual tanks (each tank with baffles to prevent sloshing about of water) - fore/aft and port/ starboard. This will allow you to trim for an uneven load. I'd use  gyro or, even cheaper, a submarine pitch controller connected to the 4 pumps to effect a level lift (you can switch it off for a manual lift). Alternativle use a shifting weigh for fore/after trim. The ballast tanks obviously need to be vented by a breather tube to some point above the waterline. For final ballasting,  place your finished hull in the water with your 5kg load on deck, and pumpable ballast tanks full. Hopefully Blue Marlin will be resting below the heavy waterline but held afloat by all the saftey foam in the superstructure. Now add more blue foam, just below the heavy water line ( at the port and starboard sides rather than central to maintain stability) till she floats at the heavy water line. Should you find her too tender, just add more lead to bottom and more blue foam just below the heavy load line to counter. Now pumping out your ballast tanks will lift your 5kg load out of the water  :)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 16, 2008, 06:00:55 pm
Thanks for that mankster. I had pretty much come to similar conclusions myself - though a lot slower!

I have 4 ballast tanks and 4 individual pumps. I had intended to flood her until all tanks are full, then add lead to get to the heavy load draft.

Question: Now add more blue foam, just below the heavy water line ( at the port and starboard sides rather than central to maintain stability..do you mean inside the water tanks or in the ballast areas?

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 16, 2008, 06:50:59 pm
Mankster,

Tell me more about these pitch controllers please. How many radio channels required, are switchers required, can the pumps run in both directions with these ...etc

These questions prob sound v basic to a subby, but this is my first venture under the water - snorkeling rather that diving  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on July 16, 2008, 07:42:12 pm
Personally I would design the ballast tanks to be as small as possible (just enough to lift your max load). This will mean quicker filling and emptying time. If you want to trim with foam you will need to have a free flooding hull with some parts of the inside of your hull allowing the ouside water to enter and drain through holes in the bottom of your hull. This method will save you about at least 15 kg of lead for a boat this size which you would other wise have to carry around, as well as providing greater stabilty. In model submarine terms, this would be a wet hull submarine rather that a dry hull. If your doing it this way then you need to add the foam in the free flooding part of the hull (stuck on to the port/starboard sides of the hull will give maximum anti roll stabilty. As your deck is going to be below the watersurface to take on the load you don't need to worry about making it water tight either if you do it this way. This is how the 1:1 Blue Marlin works. The alternative is a completely dry hull, ie water is only permitted into your pumped ballast tanks, the rest of the hull, including the top deck is sealed and water tight. You now have so much buoyancy you need to add a ton of lead to get it to the water line. Ok if it is a small model, back breaking if its large like yours.

Plenty of ways to hook up the pitch controller. For port/ starboard ballast tanks, I would have 1 reversible pump going into each tank connected to a single channel on the rx. So a fill command causes both pumps to fill at the same rate. I would add a pitch controller to a reverible esc connected to a third pump that will pump water between the two tanks to maintain a level trim. This pitch controller does not need to be connected to the rx and take up a channel. It is totally autonomus. You have the option to hook the pitch controller to the rx to give you manual control if you need it (you may want want to pitch the boat over to one side so the load slips off the deck). Allternatively you could have 1 cental ballast tank and 2 trim tanks Port and starboard (as well as for and aft ). The trim tanks start off half full of water and a pitch controller connected to a reversible esc connected to a reversible pump shifts water between the two to maintain trim, whilst the central ballast tank purely take the boat up and down.
This is pretty much standard in large model subs - either 2 ballast tanks for and aft to take the sub down and then shift water between the two to maintain horizontal trim; or 1 centrally placed ballast tank and two trim tanks for and after with water shifted between the two to maintain horizontal trilm. With subs we only have to worry about fore/aft trim. With your load carrying sub you need port /starboard trim as well - otherwise it is pretty much like trimming and ballasting a sub.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 16, 2008, 08:11:15 pm
Mankster,

Thanks, great stuff and more for me to think about.

Questions:
1: if the foam is inside the free flooding tanks, wont it reduce the ballasting effect of the water?
2:If the deck isnt watertight wouldnt the pumped ballast tanks need to be watertight, otherwise the pumps would never be able to empy the tanks?

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on July 16, 2008, 08:24:31 pm
1) foam outside the ballst tanks, but inside the free flooding part of the hull - yes the foam is to counter act the water, you are aiming to make the boat a little too haevy so she sinks, then add foam till she floats. The foam added to the sides high up has great stabliziing effect as you are raising the metacentric height (vertical distance between the centre of gravity and the centre of bouyancy) - thats why you want lead at the bottom, foam as high up (just below the water line). The more foam you end up adding the more stable the boat (as well as more heavy unfortunatly as you will need to add more lead to cancel the buoyancy of the foam. Thats why in my initial post I said that if you find that your boat is tender when carrying a heavy load it is easy to correct with more foam and lead.

2) yes you need a sealled ballast tank: water in via a pump through the bottom, air out through a tube to somewhere above the water line (hidden in the upper part of the superstructure will do) - Think off a plastic fuel tank in a rc plane or boat, same principle. Once agian this how the ballast tanks in the 1:1 boat work.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: roycv on July 16, 2008, 08:27:57 pm
Hi all I was watching a documentary about a similar ship and the captain said that they sink down stern first to preserve stability and then level up when at required depth.
regards Roy
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 16, 2008, 09:04:10 pm
Great, thanks. Its coming clear now.

Before cutting through the hull, I think I will use a plastic bag in each of the outer sections of the 4 ballast tanks, fill with water, add lead to heavy water line, then pump into the pumped ballast tanks. If I have the idea right this should help me work out just how much extra weight I need?

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on July 16, 2008, 09:32:24 pm
Good posts,..

I was already thinking about free flood hulls and "sub driver" WTC.

This is the first time I thought about Lateral balance, and loaded vs unloaded.

 :)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on July 16, 2008, 10:38:03 pm
Great, thanks. Its coming clear now.

Before cutting through the hull, I think I will use a plastic bag in each of the outer sections of the 4 ballast tanks, fill with water, add lead to heavy water line, then pump into the pumped ballast tanks. If I have the idea right this should help me work out just how much extra weight I need?

Ian

There's an easier way. The ballast tank only has to lift the volume of the the hull between the high and low waterline + the weight of your load. So you only need to estimate the water displaced by this section of the boat, which is esentially the volume of the materials in this part of the boat. If you have any watertight/sealed off areas in this section, then you need to add the volume of of this area as well. The weight of the area between the high and low lines is immaterial. As the load is not permanently attached to the hull (floats off when submerged and and is carried high and dry surfaced), you need to add its weight .
Divide it between your 4 tanks and then make it say 30% larger to compensate for the triming requirements.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on July 17, 2008, 04:37:39 pm
Thanks again Mankster - all becomes clear now. By these calculations I think I will have a lift capacity of 4kg, leaving an extra 1,2 kg for trim.

These pics show the conduit installed to allow wiring to run for/aft....looks a bit messy, but all this will be hidden from view!

The second shows the forward watertight bulkhead dry fitted. This is made from 6mm marine ply - why? cos i had some! Also, I reckon that some extra stiffness at this point will be useful, also, if/when she gets knocked whilst loading, this is a prime target.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on August 02, 2008, 07:26:53 am
updates  :D :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on August 02, 2008, 02:29:54 pm
hi Ian found this photo of the german model.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on August 02, 2008, 05:39:14 pm
Nice one thanks. Thats a bit bigger than mine!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on August 03, 2008, 01:04:49 am
mines bigger then yours :o




 only problem is i dont know how to get it out of my head :D
and onto the building bench :(
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on August 08, 2008, 03:12:32 am
waiting for this ship to sail {-) so i can pick your brain on all the odd's and ends ::)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on August 08, 2008, 05:36:11 pm
Wont be much left to pick after sorting this beast out!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on August 26, 2008, 04:01:22 pm
i wonder if the real ship builder have all these problems :D :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on August 26, 2008, 06:52:50 pm
Doubt it...they design it properly, not make it up as they go along! :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on August 26, 2008, 07:43:16 pm
Quote from: boatmadman


i wonder if the real ship builder have all these problems :D :D


Doubt it...they design it properly, not make it up as they go along!

I take it you didn't catch the Mighty Servant 3 incident in 2006? :-\

It sank in about 60 meters of water.... I calculated that the mast is about 65 meters above the keel...
I was told (on shipspotting forum) that the port of Angola would station a boat out by the mast during the day.
But at night the boat would go home, and any evening shipping was on its own.

http://www.cargolaw.com/2006nightmare_mightyserve3.html

All crew survived this incident, and the MS-3 was refloated in May the next year.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: hama on August 28, 2008, 02:15:40 pm
This thread is so fun to follow, the thing with the rudderservo is brilliant. I would never have figured that one out and I've now stored it in my memory for future use.
Thanks!
Hama
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 28, 2008, 02:28:00 pm

Is that a hi vis (high visibility) vest in the background or a life jacket?!?!?  ;)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on August 28, 2008, 06:43:24 pm
Thats a lifejacket - I need it cos the boat sinks!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on August 29, 2008, 01:30:26 am
This thread is so fun to follow, the thing with the rudderservo is brilliant. I would never have figured that one out and I've now stored it in my memory for future use.
Thanks!
Hama

Taking notes also!!

 O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Eddy Matthews on September 02, 2008, 06:01:15 pm
The two springers really help to give an idea of the size of the model, thanks.

Although I've had nothing to say on the build so far, I've been watching it with interest, as it's a vessel I've always fancied having a crack at myself one day....

Regards
Eddy
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on September 02, 2008, 06:02:20 pm
looking top notch  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on September 06, 2008, 03:09:57 pm
Looking superb O0

Can see this being a nuisance at mayhem next year, while someone is nattering about their boat instead of driving it, you've turned up and nicked their boat  ::)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 06, 2008, 05:16:28 pm

I think boatmadman is going to uplift our boats to the middle of the pond and make demands with menaces!!!  :'(
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on September 06, 2008, 06:41:43 pm
Who told you my top secret plans  >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on September 07, 2008, 09:42:54 pm
 8)
Trying to find the air vents....
Are they the vinyl tubes?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on September 07, 2008, 10:00:18 pm
So you will be running those up to the forecastle deck...  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 17, 2008, 04:47:35 pm

Those pumps must be really good, it's emptied that galvanised tank completely!   ::)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dreadnought72 on September 17, 2008, 08:51:47 pm
Ha ha - too good, Martin!  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on September 17, 2008, 08:55:33 pm
Damn - no wonder it wouldnt sink!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on September 23, 2008, 05:45:50 am
No real progress at the mo, been working stupid hours.

But, been thinking about the superstructure and it will need lots of small windows cut in to it.

How do you all cut windows in plastic so they look neat, straight and regular, bearing in mind this thing is about 1:175 scale?

Ian

One at a time...

1/190 scale thing... Not supposed to say for what or for who yet... ::)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on September 23, 2008, 05:55:40 am
ian
 how about building in levels bottom then a gap where the windows go then the next
level and a gap for the windows  and keep doing this for all 4 or 5 story's
 now where the gaps are fill in the gaps with strips  to frame out the window
opening. or where the gap is use clear plastic now cut tape to the window size
and tape all the windows then paint  :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on September 28, 2008, 06:46:27 pm


Your test makes me consider how delicate those oil rig moves must really be. ???

Bigford is on to something with his strip cut construction.
Depending on ho the material you choose mends, you can mark out the window location first.
Then cut the strip away, then cut the "betweens" away from the openings, and place them back.
I have done that with cardboard construction in architectrual models.

In this case, cut the full openings, then cut the out mullions and put them back. ;)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on September 28, 2008, 07:49:51 pm
hi Ian for windows. You have options. 1 the black tape route. or 2 cut them out. I remember reading a us model railroad mag and they had a tool .It was a corner punch. I cant find the mag any were. Had a quick search on the net and found this. It might be a bit big but if you got a smaller one it would give nice corners on the window.

john

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PC-CORNER-PUNCH-CHISEL-SET-model-wood-ship_W0QQitemZ110117293549QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on September 29, 2008, 06:31:23 am
Thanks Umi and John,

The strip idea is a good one, the only concern I have is seeing the join line across the superstructure after finishing. The big plus to this is adding the mullions after instead of trying to cut around them.

The corner punch might be worth trying. I am using plastic, so I may be able to make one up just for this job.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: SteamboatPhil on September 29, 2008, 01:54:00 pm
You could try making a punch from square tube and file the insides to give you a nice sharp edge. Depends on how many windows, you might have to make several. Should work on the the thickness you will be using.  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on September 29, 2008, 03:30:16 pm
Phil,

Thats just what I had in mind  O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 02, 2008, 09:47:33 pm

Looks great Ian!  O0

While we're sort of on that subject, has anyone tried photo etching brass for windows etc?
I was wondering if it could be computer printed, transfered to the brass and etched at home
like I used to for circuit boards as a teenager.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on October 03, 2008, 12:22:06 am
NICE!!!!! O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on October 03, 2008, 03:31:53 am
Now you're making it look too easy... ::)

Looks fantastic. Although, I thought the face of the
bridge was canted. You're going to have to start building
 an SBX platform, or Thunderhorse pretty soon.

 ;)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on October 03, 2008, 06:58:46 am
Actually, Umi, you are right, the bridge face is canted, but I didnt realise that until after I built the bridge (its the age you know), so I thought I would just claim that the bridge was modified in a later drydock.  O0

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on October 03, 2008, 01:36:09 pm
I just caught up with this thread, excellent work and glad to see it has moved on. O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dreadnought72 on October 03, 2008, 03:22:27 pm
I hadnt appreciated just how tender it would be when submerged, I havent put any stabilizing buoyancy in yet, I thought it would be ok in a flat calm test tank!

Hi Ian - I just picked up on this bit of the thread.

If the hull's full of water, and underwater, there's not much righting ability there at all. I suspect, with the generous beam, the above water "stubby towers" for buoyancy, and a thin layer of dense ballast on the bottom of the hull (meaning there'll be some air in the tanks) all will be well.

After all, if the big boys can move oil rigs then the physics has to be ok.

One last point: "tender when submerged". That rather reminds me of the first bath I had after my vasectomy. :o

Andy

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on October 05, 2008, 10:02:02 pm
hi boatmadman,

it looks fantastic, how long has it taken you to make the superstructure so far?

cheers, dan

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on October 05, 2008, 10:03:35 pm
Dan,

Not really sure, maybe about 15 to 20 hrs - I am a slow worker!

It would probably be a real surprise if I worked out how much time I really spent on boat building.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on October 06, 2008, 06:08:03 pm
ian she is realy starting to take shape O0. You are at that stage i love were you can put all the big assemblis together and it statrs to take shape ,squint your eyes and it looks done

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on October 06, 2008, 08:31:27 pm
Dan,

Not really sure, maybe about 15 to 20 hrs - I am a slow worker!

It would probably be a real surprise if I worked out how much time I really spent on boat building.

its certainly payed off, it looks fantastic, all of it does

cheers, Dan
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on October 15, 2008, 01:18:34 pm
hi Ian looking  good  :-)) :-)) :-)) %) O0 . Were you able to have the box off centre and compensate in the lift or is that still to come . you said you lifted 4lt of water thats about 4 KG is that near max lift. 


john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on October 15, 2008, 01:20:49 pm
Thats about max lift, I only had the box on centre, off centre trials will be somewhere in the future
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on October 15, 2008, 01:22:34 pm
will that lift capacity go down in weight when the ship is full detailed which adds more weight to her

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on October 15, 2008, 01:33:10 pm
will that lift capacity go down in weight when the ship is full detailed which adds more weight to her

john

No, lift capacity is defined by the size of the ballast tanks alone. Of course the ship will need to be retrimmed whenn everything had been added, but you can do this without altering the ballast tanks.

Great job so far, btw.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: bigford on October 16, 2008, 01:29:53 am
way to go ian :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Hagar on October 20, 2008, 08:32:38 am
saw the program "really big stuff" on Discovery the other week. Loading and sailing an Oil rig from Korea to the US. Some scarry #¤%&!
Started me thinking if there was some one building one as a model...
Quite a few apperently!
Your build is looking great, and I look forwards to reading more.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on October 30, 2008, 06:52:18 pm
Wow,

I'm buying stock in Action... :-)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on November 18, 2008, 09:46:30 pm
Hi there i see what you mean by tight fit. Good luck with your tests in the week. :-))

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on November 18, 2008, 11:01:00 pm
hi boatmadman,

its coming along nicely and realy  looks fantastic  :-)) 

Are all the electrics going to need to be kept cool, as theres so many components in one place. I found this with my tug and i lost one of the speed controllers due to over heating  >>:-(

cheers, dan
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on November 19, 2008, 05:35:49 am
Nicely set, you got a lot in there for such a tight space.

 8)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on November 19, 2008, 06:39:10 am
Dan,

Good question, not sure at this point, but instinctively I feel all will be ok - why?  Well, under the control block there are 2 pumps and one bowthruster, the pumps I expect to only run for 3 to 4 mins at a time, the bow thruster only occasionally, so no great amount of heat there.

The pumps pull less than 2 amps, controlled by 3 amp switchers, so lots of spare capacity there. The bow thruster is well under 10a, with a 10a controller - again spare capacity.

The battery you see there is only for the control block, there is another one situated aft (yet to be fitted) that will drive the main motor.

If cooling is required, there is room in the superstructure to mount a small fan to blow over the electronics.

When I do full test tank trials I will be able to get a proper feel for any heat issues. fingers crossed.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on January 14, 2009, 05:44:14 pm
Oooh so shiney,...  8)

Is that a counter top laminate on the deck?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on January 14, 2009, 05:56:46 pm
No, its styrene sheet awaiting a rub down and paint  :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on January 19, 2009, 10:27:54 pm
Hi Ian she look good. Is that an anchor tuck up in the back of that tower.

john
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on January 20, 2009, 07:30:20 am
fantastic  :-)) wht thickness plasticard are you using? it looks to me like it is quite a solid structure and has fairly thick plasticard
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on January 20, 2009, 08:59:24 am
Yes, that is an anchor stuck up the rear end!

I have used 1mm plasticard with angle strip inside for strength

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on January 20, 2009, 05:53:06 pm
Yes, that is an anchor stuck up the rear end!

...

Ian

Ouch!... ;D

The tower looks great...
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: tigertiger on January 21, 2009, 03:38:49 pm
looking very good. The detailing is excellent. :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on January 31, 2009, 04:43:30 pm
Looking excellent Ian.

How much longer till its finished do you think.?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 31, 2009, 07:05:13 pm
WoW! What a transformation!  :o
Hull looks really smooth!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: hama on January 31, 2009, 07:42:21 pm
Is that the same boat?? Looks fantastic, can't wait to see more!   :-))
Hama.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on January 31, 2009, 09:19:26 pm
Looking good, :-))

I can't wait to see it sink... :}
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on January 31, 2009, 10:24:37 pm
Thanks for the comments, guys. How long to finish? dunno, depends how much time I get on it!

Is it the same boat? Or is it one I prepared earlier?   %)

Umi, I cant wait to see it come back to the surface after sinking!!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on January 31, 2009, 11:18:01 pm
Looks great :-))

What scale is it again?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on February 01, 2009, 12:26:00 am
Its 1:200 scale.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on February 01, 2009, 12:31:27 am
OOH

That means at Llanberis and/or wicksteed we could do a little towing with my Revell Smit Houston, fit a little 1mm peg on there somewhere for me would you? preferably on the bows :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on February 01, 2009, 12:33:58 am
I intended to do that as I have a smit houston in a box awaiting build!

Marlin will look good with two tugs on the deck  :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on February 01, 2009, 12:51:02 am
Why on the deck? They'll just fall off...

I'll send you my setup and we'll tow the thing :-))

A display is forming in my head, we tow it out you sink the ship and lift the tugs up and drive off with them...
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on February 01, 2009, 04:52:04 am
What you need are the Smit tugs helping to place this on the Deck of the Blue Marlin...  :-))

North Cormorant Off-Shore Oil Rig, Just modify it for floats...  (http://www.modelbouwbloemendaal.nl/N_frame.html?http://www.modelbouwbloemendaal.nl/Revell-08803-1_200-North-Cormorant-Off-Shore-Oil-Rig--N_art_12435.php)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on February 01, 2009, 05:59:21 am
Umi, stop it, I have enough to do already! :o
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on February 01, 2009, 06:43:23 am
Umi, stop it, I have enough to do already! :o

 %)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on February 01, 2009, 12:31:27 pm
I'll build it for you :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on February 01, 2009, 07:05:26 pm
wow  :o looking good  :-)) cant wait to see it on and under the water
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on February 18, 2009, 05:53:17 pm
I was wondering where the dog went from the first post...
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on March 05, 2009, 09:07:49 pm
Wow, thats an improvement Ian. Very nice.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 05, 2009, 09:39:47 pm
It's really starting to perk up.
The railings do a lot to give the model a sense of scale.


I may have found a space to build mine... We'll see. It is a space
such that I could start a couple of projects and store them.  8)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on March 05, 2009, 11:02:07 pm
Great stuff there, let's see it at Wicksteed :-)) You can come get your burger O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 08, 2009, 02:00:14 pm
Umi,

If you do decide to build one, let me know, there are a few things I would do differently to the way I did it.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 08, 2009, 06:47:07 pm
Umi,

If you do decide to build one, let me know, there are a few things I would do differently to the way I did it.

Ian

It isn't about deciding to build one. It has been about time and space.
You know how much research I have on these ships as far as referance images, and line drawings.  ;)

What has come up, is that a local, public, workshop is opening, and they have asked me to help supervise
the shop four days a month.  I will be hanging about a wood shop, metal shop, and sewing shop, with
more tools to yet to arrive. So I figure that instead of watching people work on projects I can do a couple
of my own on the side...  :-)

Timing... I hear there is a laser cutter that is supposed to land in the shop soon.
If I can cut the frames from acrylic, how the heck would I sheet to it? %%


Ian, your experience and suggestions are most certainly welcome. 8)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: colin-stevens on March 08, 2009, 08:58:41 pm
Jeez, some people have alll the luck!!!!!!
would epoxy fix to acrylic. worth a try. then you could balsa sheet/ply/whatever you fancy.
super glue would work, sure of it.
good luck
colin
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on March 08, 2009, 11:03:55 pm
Umi,

First thing I would say is - be prepared to get frustrated at times!

Next - build it at least 2m long. I was lucky to be able to fit all the gizmo's in mine, at 1.4m.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Navy2000 on March 19, 2009, 07:29:48 pm
Excellent build going here. Look for a PM from me.

Duane
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on March 20, 2009, 09:03:40 pm
fantastic!  :-))
the super structure looks superb  :-)) :-)) :-))
are the cranes kits or scratch from drawings?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on March 20, 2009, 09:48:04 pm
Looking great Ian.  :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 09, 2009, 05:17:30 pm
Excellent stuff :-))

All you need now is to do that Smit Houston and we can put on a bit of a show O0
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 09, 2009, 05:18:16 pm
Thats on the slips Andy!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on April 09, 2009, 05:18:36 pm
brilliant mate, should look good on the water!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 09, 2009, 05:35:15 pm
Great stuff, if you're coming to Wicksteed or Llanberis we can do a show with the pair of the Smit tugs :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on April 09, 2009, 11:05:25 pm
Hi Ian
She is looking fantastic you have done a top job there.

John
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Niall on April 14, 2009, 10:45:58 am
Just found this thread, very interesting and impressive build.

One comment though, the warship photograph on page 2 is not the USS Cole as others have said. It is the USS Samuel R. Roberts FFG58, an Olvier Hazard Perry Class frigate.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 14, 2009, 03:19:59 pm
My setup in the Smit tug if you want it to be simalar to mine is:

2x 140 motors
(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll184/andyn_01/fbelec915164045.jpg)

Ripmax Xtra Air 14 ESC (you really don't want to go backwards with these tugs)

Battery from a Hobbyzone ZigZag, of which I have a spare if you want one.

This lot brings it down to the perfect waterline.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 17, 2009, 09:19:08 pm
Right then, help needed.

I have been trying to get Marlin to do what it is designed to do, sink and lift a load out of the water.

This is how I have tried so far, for a lift of about 3kg, this leaves some reserve buoyancy in the pumped tanks for trimming:

1. Put approx 7kg of lead ballast in the bottom of the free flood tanks, evenly along port and starboard sides

2. Fill the pumped ballast tanks

3. Add some buoyancy in port and starboard free flood tanks, placed so that it sits just under the deck, then add a little more lead to get to submerged load line.

4. Fill a plastic toolbox with 3l water and place on the deck - boat sinks further!

5. Pump out tanks and Marlin rises, but not to the waterline - she is too low.

I think it may be because the load I add sits on the deck when she is submerged, whereas it should really be floating above the submerged deck prior to pumping out.

Is that the problem?

Ian

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: AlanP on April 17, 2009, 09:42:20 pm
perhaps I am missing something here Ian, but after lifting a load wouldn't the real boat sit lower in the water.

Alan
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 17, 2009, 09:53:34 pm
It will sit lower with a load on the back, the whole boat weighs more when it has load.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 17, 2009, 10:04:45 pm
I think the real boat has sufficient reserve buoyancy to adjust to normal running depth whether it has a load on or not, I have seen pics of her loaded and unloaded at about the same draft.

For the model, I want to try and get the same draft loaded as unloaded, mainly because there is very little freeboard. But, if I cant then its no real problem, it just means the deck may be awash in a ripple :D
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 17, 2009, 10:27:36 pm
Then what you need to do is remove lead until it sits at a normal level with load on it, when there isn't a load onyou are going to have to leave some water in the tanks...

This is going to be the most complicated bit methinks...
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: AlanP on April 17, 2009, 10:36:58 pm
If all efforts fail Ian, bring it down to the pond on Sunday and I will bring some chalk and we can reposition the water line  :}

Always happy to help out with a technical question   %)

Alan
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 17, 2009, 10:49:13 pm
Alan,

thanks for that, I knew there would be a technical solution out there somewhere!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Mankster on April 18, 2009, 12:47:46 am
You are going to need to increase the capacity of your bumped ballast tanks to lift that load. may be you can covert some free flodding areas.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 18, 2009, 08:36:13 am
Mankster,

I suspected as much. Unfortunately, thats not too easy due to the construction, I think I will work with a lighter load for now, if I come up with a workable solution to increase the pumped ballast then I may modify later.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Bunkerbarge on April 18, 2009, 09:01:06 am
Obviously back to the basic concepts Ian, you first need to determine just what you have available as reserve ballast.  Obviously the boat needs to be stable and ballasted without load so I would start off with her in this condition at the correct water line.  Then pump out all the ballast you can into a measured container and see just what weight you can replace with the load. 

That would indicate the weight you can replace however you must also take into consideration the stability.  Although you are simply replacing the same weight with the load the ballast is low down in the hull but the load is quite high up so you will have significantly reduced the righting moment (GM). This will have the effect of reducing the weight that you can add as load to maintain the suitable stability.

I think, bearing in mind the scale proportions, that a quite light load will be the answer to start with to maintain the required stability.  Tests in the bath will be cruicial but don't simply observe the level at which the model floats, you must also induce instability by pushing the top of the mast over and observing the speed at which it returns to upright.  If it is slow to recover then it will not be suitable to sail.  Unfortunately this is one area that scale works against our models and we need our models to return to upright dramatically quicker than you would expect in a real vessel.  This is dictated by the fact that waves you will encounter on the pond with be striking the model at a frequency of perhaps 2-3 per second whereas in the real world the ship will be experiencing wave frequencies of somewhere in the region of 10 seconds.  Consequently you need your model to return to upright substantially quicker than a real ship as your righting moment has to be proportionally greater.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: hama on April 18, 2009, 01:53:18 pm
Just want to be of assistance if possible cause this is such a wonderful project. As said before, some of the fixed ballast must be switched to water ballast in some way. Perhaps one or two dedicated ballast tanks. This water ballast that gets her to correct waterline without load, will help her get to correct level with load when pumped out.   {:-{
Oh, I hope you find a solution to this. Would be great to see her perform.  GOOD LUCK!
Hama
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 19, 2009, 01:12:46 pm
Impressive, I remember it when it was frames on a workbench..... how fast they grow up!

Is it going sideways in that first pic?   :-))

Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: hama on April 19, 2009, 01:46:02 pm
I agree, very impressive! Looks great on the water! Thanks for showing.
Hama.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on April 19, 2009, 03:40:23 pm
Really very nice Ian, well worth the wait.  :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on April 21, 2009, 12:09:05 am
Ian,

It is Gorgeous out on the water. Great job!  8)
Great build up.

Aimee
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: TCC on April 21, 2009, 11:50:21 am
Is that single prop enough to move the model when loaded?

Though thinking about it, I suppose slow and steady is the watchword for when the real things sail.

Good build!
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: chingdevil on April 25, 2009, 01:03:56 pm
She looks great on the water, Great Job :-)) :-)) :-))


Brian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 25, 2009, 01:07:06 pm
Will she me making her way to Mayhem at Wicksteed - May 23, 24?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on April 25, 2009, 03:11:02 pm
Certainly hope so  :-))
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 25, 2009, 03:16:29 pm
Excellent! I'm sure we can work out a salvaging, pirating cartel and we can split the ransom 50 / 50!  ok2
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: andyn on April 25, 2009, 03:17:17 pm
Excellent Stuff :-))

I will be bringing the Smit Houston, but I won't be sailing it. It's an open lake and it doesn't like waves....

If you think about it, it's 1:250th scale, and if 3 waves hit it per second, that are about an inch tall (up and down), then you've got a scale wave of 20ft hitting the boat at 750 times per second :o :o :o
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 26, 2009, 07:10:07 pm
 :-)
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: DickyD on May 04, 2009, 10:39:43 am
Ian have you tried putting your photos on using Photobox ?
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 07, 2009, 08:54:59 am
Dicky,

I have managed to get them to a useable state, but just havent had time to post them yet - I have to request the thread to be unlocked to post.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Bunkerbarge on May 07, 2009, 10:44:20 am
Let us know as soon as you are ready Ian.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Bryan Young on May 07, 2009, 05:55:32 pm
Then what you need to do is remove lead until it sits at a normal level with load on it, when there isn't a load onyou are going to have to leave some water in the tanks...

This is going to be the most complicated bit methinks...
Wouldn't leaving free water in the tanks lead to a "free-surface" effect and possibly make the vessel unstable? Just asking. BY.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 07, 2009, 07:01:37 pm
Brian,

I was conscious of the potential for the free surface effect and fitted bulkheads drilled with vents every 75mm or so.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 07, 2009, 07:05:11 pm
hi there Ian , which day will you be at Wickstead as I would love to see your boat.

John
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 07, 2009, 07:05:46 pm
John,

At the moment it looks like Saturday.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: cos918 on May 07, 2009, 08:38:56 pm
hope fully will see you there

John
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: dan on May 25, 2009, 08:08:20 am
the videos of it working look great! have you transported any ships on it yet  :}
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on May 25, 2009, 08:53:44 am
The boat as it stands hasnt got the capacity for a lift, I made a mistake in the design of it. The pumped ballast is only enough to overcome the bouyancy provided by the bow and stern sections.

In hindsight the free flood ballast tanks should have been pumped ballast, this would have given the capacity for a lift.

I have a cunning plan evolving in what is left of my brain cell - watch this space - but dont hold your breath.  :-))

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: macey666 on September 07, 2009, 12:34:02 pm
Ian

I would be interested to know what you think about making one of these to a larger scale.  Perhaps a model coming out at around 2m long?  Do you think this would give a better chance of being able to do the kind of lift it is designed to do?

Regards

Macey 
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on September 07, 2009, 12:48:37 pm
Macey,
A 2m long version would be easier to fit the hardware into, but it would be significantly heavier in the water.

I would recommend for something this big to have no free flood ballast and rely entirely on pumped ballast. This would make it lighter to move to and from the pond than if you did it my way.

Also, this should allow you to lift something as intended. The water you would have to pump in to get the boat to waterline would represent the weight it should lift.

This is where I went wrong with mine.

If you can do it, I would suggest multiple pumped ballast tanks, say 2 or 3 down the centreline, and 2 or 3 down each side, this means a total of 6 or 8 tanks all needing individual pump controls to fill and empty. This can be done either with a pump for each tank, like mine, or, use solenoid valves to control where you pump to. Trouble is, I couldnt find any solenoids suitable! You may be luckier.

The reason I suggest multiple tanks is it will give you greater stability control over the model, especially when submerged. You will recall from my thread how sensitive mine is!

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: sean Half-pint works on February 17, 2013, 02:06:10 pm
Hi Ian, I know there has been no activity on this thread for a while, but I do have a question.

Have you tried putting a load on her yet?

Sean
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: boatmadman on February 17, 2013, 03:37:16 pm
Hi Sean,

I actually sold the model a while ago, so the answer is, no, I didnt get a load on the deck. As I said in the thread, the hull would need extensive modifying to make all the ballast pumped in order to have the lifting capacity for an external load. On top of that, there would be significant stability issues to overcome, it was extremely sensitive when submerged as it stood.

Ian
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: canalpilot on March 15, 2017, 10:27:53 pm
I had ideas of building a model of the semi submersable Mighty Servant 1 when i saw pictures of her lifting a destroyer in Jebel Ali for transpoting back to the UK. I then thought, how do I get plans.  I wrote to the owners in the hope of getting a reply. Reply!!!, they were brilliant, not only did they send me a full set of plans but included company magazines and other literature. My plan is to build a model without the submersing part which I could sail at my club with a load on it.
I think all 3 of the Mighty Servants are now gone, the Blue Marlin class being their successors.
Title: Re: Q & A - Blue Marlin - Heavy lift semi submersible ship
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on March 16, 2017, 05:25:28 am
The Mighty Servant 1 was refit with sponsons and a wider deck.
The Mighty Servant 3 which sank off of Angola, was recovered and Refit with an additional deck added to the base of the superstructure.

Dockwise/Boskalis is still running heavy lift ships much older the the Servant series.
Mighty Servant 2 is the only one of the three that was written off as a loss.

https://boskalis.com/about-us/fleet-and-equipment/offshore-vessels/heavy-transport-vessels.html (https://boskalis.com/about-us/fleet-and-equipment/offshore-vessels/heavy-transport-vessels.html)

 :-)

Hope to see a build up of your model.  ok2