Pedal-Powered Submarine, the Scubster

Looks like fun.

I remember reading an article in "Popular Mechanics" about one they featured back in the 60's or 70's. I inherited a large stack of the mags and spent countless hours reading them. Anyone else here remember Mimi? Anyway, the article was one of their build it yourself projects. Basically 2 pontoons connected to the main fuselage with hinged X style struts or braces. I think each pontoon had an electric motor. The cabin was sealed. You would bleed off the air trapped in a ballast tank under the sub allowing you to sink and hang from the pontoons. A large O2 tank was used to refill the ballast tank with air and float you back up. The depth was only around 5 feet but it sure looked like a blast. You steered using separate controls for each motor. One of the pontoons had an exhaust fan to ensure fresh air for the operator. The O2 tank would get you about 6 dives before needing refilled. I have parted ways with most of the old mags but kept the one with this article. May never build it but as the kids are growing up my spare time might free up just enough to give it a go. I have thought about replacing the O2 tank with a electric start gas powered compressor mounted in one of the pontoons.