How would you mount a torpedo?

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Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,669
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
My son and I drove past an American Legion building yesterday with static displays in the yard. When I saw the torpedo, my mind instantly sprang into gear. Wouldn't that be great having a torpedo? I'm guessing the bottom of my boat's wing keel would be the logical place to mount it...

I know, I know. All y'all are screaming, pointing out the obvious objections to having a torpedo. The extra drag, the extra weight, all the extra people wanting to go sailing on a boat that actually has a torpedo. And then there's the most obvious objection of all - once it's fired, it's fired. Your torpedo is gone with little or no chance of acquiring another.

OK, back to reality. This really does bring to mind some cool ideas. Toy torpedoes? Maybe even armed with quickly-dissipating paint balls so as not to permanently ruin another boat's finish. I know they make RC submarines with little bitty torpedoes. How cool would that be?

I'd love to hear more ideas.

Kermit
 

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
Did sailing vessels ever carry torpedos? I'm thinking cannons would be more appropriate.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
mount it on the deck like the pt boats in WWII as i rememeber they had one on each side on the deck.......

regards

woody
 
May 31, 2007
767
Hunter 37 cutter Blind River
I like the idea. How about one on the keel and another forming a bulbous bow? Both could, in fact, improve a sailboat's performance. Then again, one could add a couple of tubes at the stern which would look like man overboard danbuoy holders but in fact be armed to repel anyone with audacity to even threaten overtaking you.
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
I always wanted a deck cannon on one of my stanchions. That would be really cool.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Back on 4-7-11, MCROW33 asks, "So I heard about dinghy dogs. Inflatable tubes you attach to the sides of a hard dinghy. Has anybody used them?" There you go- combine these two ideas and go...um...hunting?... fishing?
 

Dave D

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May 7, 2009
143
hunter 26 Jordan Lake
Did sailing vessels ever carry torpedos? I'm thinking cannons would be more appropriate.
Hmmmmmmm, paintball cannons. need to be something that won't stain a sail or the hull, but otherwise the idea has merit!
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,669
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Great responses, y'all. Exactly what I was hoping for. Seems like the most realistic idea would have something to do with paintball cannons... Maybe water balloon launchers. Both sides would certainly know when a hit was scored with no harm done to boat or crew. Plus we'd have the extra added bonus of no loud explosions or debris from torpedo damage.

Dang, we could be on to something. Maybe the next Olympic event?
 

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Kermit, you probably just made the NSA terrorist watch list.
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,192
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
I'm Totally Opposed .............................

.................... to the idea of using wimpy paint balls.

Ever been buzzed by some nut case on a Sea-doo or cut off (while under sail) by some oversized powerboat. :cussing:

Live torpedoes keep our waterways safe. :)
 
Dec 11, 2008
1,338
catalina C27 stillwater
Years ago under the light of full moons, a buddy and I had sailing batttles featuring potato cannons. You know, PVC pipe, hiarspray, a piezo-electric grill lighter... We lofted them pretty high to try to thump each other's decks. No horizontal shots allowed.

These days, I am thinking a washdown system with a higher pressure pump and some sort of military-looking squirt gun mounted machine-gun style on some swivelling mount...

Offshore it might keep you out of trouble... :Liar::Liar::Liar:
 

Slade

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Nov 24, 2010
70
Starwind 223 "Respite" Redwing, Mn
Great responses, y'all. Exactly what I was hoping for. Seems like the most realistic idea would have something to do with paintball cannons... Maybe water balloon launchers. Both sides would certainly know when a hit was scored with no harm done to boat or crew. Plus we'd have the extra added bonus of no loud explosions or debris from torpedo damage.

Dang, we could be on to something. Maybe the next Olympic event?
Long ago..in a land and time far, far, away I launched a water balloon at my sailboat from my Dad's powerboat a good 100 yards away. Such as has been my timing throughout my life my wife exited the cabin with a book to sit in the cockpit. As she sat the balloon hit with tremendous force on the shroud just above her head...scaring and soaking her completely. As she ducked back into the cabin I turned to my Dad and said, "This is not going to be a pleasant swim." He said, "Better you than me..."

Oh, did I mention that was an ex-wife?
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,669
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Long ago..in a land and time far, far, away I launched a water balloon at my sailboat from my Dad's powerboat a good 100 yards away. Such as has been my timing throughout my life my wife exited the cabin with a book to sit in the cockpit. As she sat the balloon hit with tremendous force on the shroud just above her head...scaring and soaking her completely. As she ducked back into the cabin I turned to my Dad and said, "This is not going to be a pleasant swim." He said, "Better you than me..."

Oh, did I mention that was an ex-wife?
Details, man, we need details! Tell us how you made the launcher! And congratulations on the perfect shot. ;-)
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,916
- - LIttle Rock
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Years ago under the light of full moons, a buddy and I had sailing batttles featuring potato cannons....These days, I am thinking a washdown system with a higher pressure pump and some sort of military-looking squirt gun mounted machine-gun style on some swivelling mount...

http://www.myaircannons.com/ultramag.html

Or this one...

http://www.myaircannons.com/tomatocannon.html

And my personal favorite...
http://www.myaircannons.com/toiletpaperbazooka.html
now you will have to amend your book:laugh:
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Well it certainly would be a way to get a roll or five of TP if you need it LOL!

I was once on a lake when I guy with a center console went buy with a .50 cal mounted in front of his console...I presume it was decorative!

It could be fun to have a set of sensors / senders rigged down each side of sailboats to act as your "broadside" and to receive damage during maneuvers. I bet boatus would frown upon it though!
 
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