The Great $80 RC Submarine Challenge!

[RCSubGuy]

Prompted by a call I had with an RC sub enthusiast out of Brazil, I had this thought that I would set a challenge forth to anyone and everyone.

Build a complete RC submarine, but do it for less than $80US.

Here are some preliminary and completely open for discussion details I am envisioning. Please feel free to comment and ask questions. I'm pretty excited about this:

The Sub:

1. Build must be executed within 60 days of contest start (date to be determined).
2. Total budget of any and all materials and components, not including the radio and receiver, is to tally up to less than $80US. Any components not purchased specifically for the project (IE: you just had them lying around for the last few years) will be assessed a fair market value.
3. The submarine must be controlled wirelessly. No tethers allowed.
4. The submarine must have a functional ballast system capable of taking the boat from surfaced condition to submerged condition and back to surfaced condition.
   1. Surfaced means at least 10% of the total hull above the waterline
   2. Submerged means the entire hull below the waterline. Having a small amount of sail protruding, along with masts/scopes is acceptable
5. The submarine must be capable of movement in both forward and reverse
6. The submarine must be capable of transiting in submerged condition for a distance of at least 30ft without surfacing
7. The submarine must be capable of executing a 360 degree turn in an area of less than 20ft (20ft turning diameter / 10ft radius)
8. 3D printed hulls are allowed, but a hull value of $10 will be assessed.

Winner Requirements:

1. Provide receipts of all components and materials used
2. Must pay shipping from TX, USA for any prizes awarded to them
3. Must fully document the components used
4. Must provide photos and/or video of the build process (to help others follow in their footsteps for the build).

Prizes:

I'm really hoping I can hit up some vendors to help supplement this prize package in an effort to incentivize people to take part. If anyone else would like to contribute a prize to sweeten the pot, it would be greatly appreciated. I will definitely be open to putting up my 1/96 Los Angeles fully RTR sub as one of the prizes, and I'm 90% sure that I can convince FrSky to donate a full radio package as well. Retail value of just those two items is around $2400 alone.

Award Categories: Winners must meet all requirements (IE: you can't just build a super cool looking display model)

1. Cheapest sub
2. Best performing sub
3. Best looking sub

This will not be easy. Hull materials might add up to $10. A couple of cheap ESCs could be $15 or $20 each. Two servos maybe another $10. A pump perhaps $20. You're at $70 or $80 right there, boys and girls! You'll need to get creative, for sure. I could see this thread being used to share ideas and component sources. Remember, you don't need fancy. You don't need proportional control. Full fwd, full reverse, full left, full right. There are options. Let's see what you can think of!

[Fishb0y]

OOF, I love this!!!

[Subculture]

Perhaps consider bonus points for those substantially coming under budget?

3d printed hulls fair enough, but perhaps not the first thing available to someone on a tight budget (build a cheap sub, but first buy this $200-300 machine....). Perhaps cost for printed hull could more accurately be reflected by bureau rates, realistically $20+.

[TuptubBuilder]

Can I start with a 20 USD Tamiya Blowfish?

[redboat219]

PVC pipe for hull/ wtc with plastic easter egg halves for the bow and stern cone.