Marine

U-Boat Worx gets sporty with compact HP Sport Sub 2

U-Boat Worx gets sporty with compact HP Sport Sub 2
The HP Sport Sub 2 with standard fit out is good for 3 knots on the surface, or 2 knots under the waves
The HP Sport Sub 2 with standard fit out is good for 3 knots on the surface, or 2 knots under the waves
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The HP Sport Sub 2 is capable of carrying a pilot and one passenger, has a six hour operating window and can dive to 100 meters (330 ft)
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The HP Sport Sub 2 is capable of carrying a pilot and one passenger, has a six hour operating window and can dive to 100 meters (330 ft)
The HP Sport Sub 2 displaces the Super Yacht Sub 3 as the most compact U-Boat Worx model
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The HP Sport Sub 2 displaces the Super Yacht Sub 3 as the most compact U-Boat Worx model
2 x 2.7 kW brushless electric thrusters provide horizontal propulsion and 4 x 2.7 kW thrusters provide vectored vertical propulsion
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2 x 2.7 kW brushless electric thrusters provide horizontal propulsion and 4 x 2.7 kW thrusters provide vectored vertical propulsion
The HP Sport Sub 2 with standard fit out is good for 3 knots on the surface, or 2 knots under the waves
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The HP Sport Sub 2 with standard fit out is good for 3 knots on the surface, or 2 knots under the waves
The HP Sport Sub 2 will set your offshore account back US$1.35 million, which includes a battery charger, training course and a DNV-GL certification
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The HP Sport Sub 2 will set your offshore account back US$1.35 million, which includes a battery charger, training course and a DNV-GL certification
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U-Boat Worx describes the HP Sport Sub 2 as a personal “luxury submersible“ suitable for all superyachts measuring 30 meters (98 ft) and over
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U-Boat Worx describes the HP Sport Sub 2 as a personal “luxury submersible“ suitable for all superyachts measuring 30 meters (98 ft) and over
View gallery - 7 images

Dutch firm U-Boat Worx describes the latest addition to its line of submersibles as a "subsea-Ferrari". Like many Ferraris, the company's new HP Sport Sub 2 seats two and comes in eye-catching red, but unlike most Ferraris, it can carry a pilot and passenger to a depth of 100 m (330 ft) beneath the waves for periods of up to six hours.

Designed to fit into the tender garage of superyachts 30 m (98 ft) and greater, or towed easily behind the Bentley, the HP Sport Sub 2 displaces the Super Yacht Sub 3 as the most compact U-Boat Worx model. Featuring a new acrylic-steel pressure hull design, the craft measures 285 cm (9.3 ft) long and 235 cm (7.7 ft) wide, giving it the same length and width dimensions as the Super Yacht Sub 3. However, it isn't as high, measuring 136 cm (4.5 ft) to the Super Yacht Sub 3's 174 cm (5.7 ft) and providing a more streamlined shape.

Despite the reduced height, U-Boat Worx has positioned the access hatch high above the waterline to overcome the difficulties faced by conventional sports submersible when embarking and disembarking in the water. The company says the elevated freeboard and stability of the vehicle means there is no need for "man-rated" cranes to get people in and out. And with a weight of 2,200-kg (4,850-lb), the craft is light enough to allow existing cranes to be used for launch and recovery.

The HP Sport Sub 2 is capable of carrying a pilot and one passenger, has a six hour operating window and can dive to 100 meters (330 ft)
The HP Sport Sub 2 is capable of carrying a pilot and one passenger, has a six hour operating window and can dive to 100 meters (330 ft)

With 2 x 2.7 kW brushless electric thrusters providing horizontal propulsion and 4 x 2.7 kW thrusters providing vectored vertical propulsion, the personal sports submersible can reach speeds of 3 knots (3.5 mph, 5.6 km/h) on the surface and 2 knots (2.3 mph, 3.7 km/h) when submerged. However, upgrading the horizontal thrusters to 2 x 5.5 kW units will increase speeds to 5 knots (5.7 mph, 9.3 km/h) on the surface and 3 knots below the waves.

Total power capacity for the sub is 21.6 kWh, provided by lithium-ion batteries that take around four hours to recharge. An emergency battery is also on board that will provide power to critical systems for up to 96 hours. Control is via the dual-joystick, gamepad-style Manta fly-by-wire controller found in previous U-Boat Worx models, which can be passed to the passenger if they want to take control for a bit.

U-Boat Worx describes the HP Sport Sub 2 as a personal “luxury submersible“ suitable for all superyachts measuring 30 meters (98 ft) and over
U-Boat Worx describes the HP Sport Sub 2 as a personal “luxury submersible“ suitable for all superyachts measuring 30 meters (98 ft) and over

"The design is attractive, but above all, safe and functional,” says U-Boat Worx founder and Chairman, Bert Houtman. “We’ve adopted a very different look compared to traditional submersibles, but without compromising safety and ease of use - the ability to easily board the craft at the surface, for example."

As you might expect, the HP Sport Sub 2 isn’t cheap, setting your offshore account back US$1.35 million. That price includes a battery charger, training course and a DNV-GL certification. Production models are scheduled for delivery to select superyacht owners for the third quarter of 2015.

Source: U-Boat Worx

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7 comments
7 comments
Lewis M. Dickens III
Well, It's about time we got down there and befriended the Mermaids!
This will either scare them away or provide them with some laughter.
And let us pray that there aren't any exhibitionists involved.
bill
Jay Finke
That's a nice build, the only problem I see with this design is the forward thrusters (side) the prop shrouds are exposed and might be damaged in a collision, w/ reef, mermaid or the boat during loading or launching.
Griffin
I bet Ferrari doesn't like that.
Heck with 'em.
Do a "Ferrari-like" logo and use a sea horse.
That will REALLY "drive" them up a wall!
(^,^)
They were merciless and spiteful to my friend Amir that only did that Ferrari motorcycle a few years back as an artistic tribute to them.
A lot of his heart and life went into that- Hours&hours beyond measure... THOUSANDS- Love or hate that design, he is a perfectionist.
They wouldn't give him the time of day until a couple of his friends posted it without his knowledge... THEN Ferrari's fascist Nazi Mafia lawyers contacted him- ....and threatened to sue his socks off!
It was only art- he's a designer, not a builder.
sk8dad
This continues to raise the question concerning watercraft safety--specifically, the question of how to avoid surface vessel versus submersible collisions.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really neat. It is really expensive but still really nice.
Gregg Eshelman
Any vehicle, even a Ferrari, will carry people as deep underwater as they, or someone else, may desire. However the trip is usually one way and rather permanent...
Calson
At 3 knots surface and 2 knots maximum speed underwater users will need a chase vehicle able to tow the sub back to the harbor.