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The Bogus Batoid Submarine is Wooden, not Yellow (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the some-people-build-ornithopters-and-some-build-machines-that-flap-their-wings-underwater dept.

This is a "wet" submarine. It doesn't try to keep water out. You wear SCUBA gear while pedaling it. And yes, it is powered by a person pushing pedals. That motion, through a drive train, makes manta-style wings flap. This explains the name, since rays are Batoids, and this sub is a fake Batoid, not a real one. It's a beautiful piece of work, and Martin Plazyk is obviously proud to show it off. He and his father, Bruce, operate as Faux Fish Technologies. Follow that link and you'll see many photos, along with a nice selection of videos showing their creations not just in static above-water displays, but in their natural (underwater) element. Meanwhile, here on Slashdot, Martin tells how Faux Fish subs are made. (Alternate Video Link)

9 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Um... okay...? by i+kan+reed · · Score: 2

    You care because that's how roblimo feeds his family. Video ads of products.

  2. Re:Submersible or Submarine by AK+Marc · · Score: 2

    Neither. It's a propulsion assist. Really huge and expensive flippers.

    --
    Learn to love Alaska
  3. Re:Um... okay...? by Morpeth · · Score: 2

    Part of the problem is the synopsis is so poorly written, I wasn't sure what I was reading about or why.

    --

    'The unexamined life is not worth living' - Socrates
  4. News for nerds by Skarjak · · Score: 2

    Man, you people are so grumpy. How is that not awesome? And that's certainly more relevant to this site than the lines to buy ice at Burning Man...

    1. Re:News for nerds by m2shariy · · Score: 2

      It is just a decoration. It has no practical function. Trying to use it under water would be a major hurdle and likely very dangerous.

  5. Re:Why not just swim? by tlhIngan · · Score: 2

    With all the extra mass of the ship, is this really more efficient than just strapping on some flippers?

    At this stage it just looks like a special-interest art project, or a sculpture you can sit in. Video of it being used in more than 1 metre of water would make this more interesting.

    Wet subs aren't new, and they can be far more efficient because the shape can be much more hydrodynamic than the human body, thus eliminating excess energy expenditure. They can also be used to haul more tanks around, or rearrange your tank to be more streamlined.

    Wet subs ain't new, even human powered ones. They've come in all configurations as well - from ones where the diver is just sitting out to ones with canopies. Usually they're for really small torpedo subs, but there are wet subs used by the military that are meant to carry 3-4 SEALs.

  6. Hooray! by SeaFox · · Score: 2

    Instead of wearing myself out kicking my legs swimming and pushing myself through the water, I can now kick my legs peddling and wear myself out pushing myself and a humongous piece of wood through the water with me.

  7. Re:Batman and Robin by camperdave · · Score: 2

    The partners made a "bat-oid" and the senior partner's name is "Wayne". That means their work shop is the bat-cave.

    I suspect the designer's secret identity is Aquaman.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  8. Can't Resist by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 2

    This is a "wet" submarine. It doesn't try to keep water out.

    Yeah, that's as funny as a screen door on a submarine.