balsa sub

[A random guy]

I've heard that balsa submarines are hard to make work because it's hard to make them dive. Balsa floats so when waterproofed it holds the sub up meaning you have to add lots of weight. I am wondering what happens if you dont waterproof it. I've done a few tests and found that when balsa is made into a boat it floats for awhile then sinks because it acts like a spunge and absorbs the water and floods the insides. Well what if you used that water as the extra ballast and have the wtc/ ballast tank the only part of the sub with air? By the way whats the best way to hold a balsa sub together in the water?

Thanks ahead of time!

[redboat219]

whats the best way to hold a balsa sub together in the water?

With both hands.

Seriously. You can check out what this modeler in Singapore did, he made an RC Akula class submarine out of balsa (glassed inside and out to waterproof). http://www.daddyhobby.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5170

[Slats]

I've heard that balsa submarines are hard to make work because it's hard to make them dive. Balsa floats so when waterproofed it holds the sub up meaning you have to add lots of weight. I am wondering what happens if you dont waterproof it. I've done a few tests and found that when balsa is made into a boat it floats for awhile then sinks because it acts like a spunge and absorbs the water and floods the insides. Well what if you used that water as the extra ballast and have the wtc/ ballast tank the only part of the sub with air? By the way whats the best way to hold a balsa sub together in the water?

Thanks ahead of time!

Random, you kidding aren't you -

I've heard that balsa submarines are hard to make work because it's hard to make them dive. Balsa floats so when waterproofed it holds the sub up meaning you have to add lots of weight.

First the whole idea of RC subs is that they do float - overcoming floating via ballast is required IN ALL RC subs in the hobby.
At days end a RC sub that floats means I take it home.

I am wondering what happens if you dont waterproof it. I've done a few tests and found that when balsa is made into a boat it floats for awhile then sinks because it acts like a spunge and absorbs the water and floods the insides.

You have answered your own question - unwaterproofed balsa is not a suitable material for a sub model that goes in the water.

I've done a few tests and found that when balsa is made into a boat it floats for awhile then sinks because it acts like a spunge and absorbs the water and floods the insides. Well what if you used that water as the extra ballast and have the wtc/ ballast tank the only part of the sub with air?

And how would you propose to unsaturate the unwaterproofed balsa to surface - the hobby Random can have some "left field" ideas but this is nuts....please have a look at some standard equipment such as a hull that is made from material that is water proof, a water tight enclosure for electricals, and a fixed ballast tank providing a reliable predictable quantity of ballast every time.