Pontoon / floating platforms

[Voidi]

At the moment i try to create some type of floating platforms for a water base.

What are the parts with the best lifting? (in water)

How is the lift in water calculated?

Currently I use some Structural Fuselage , a Multi-Point Connector as central hub and covering this parts with M-2x2 Structural Panels, to have flat platform.

But with this setup my modules subsidence to deep into the water (more then I have seen in other Players projects).

Any recommendations?

Edited April 11, 2014 by Voidi

[Remkeau]

I've never tried myself but I believe the radial intakes give good flotation

edit: just realized that according to my avatar I should be an expert on floaty things

[generalguy26]

[deleted]

Edited March 21, 2023 by generalguy26

[Geschosskopf]

If you want a huge floating base on Kerbin, you can't do better than the Boat Parts mod by InfiniDice. An aircraft carrier with working elevators, arrestor gear, the works .

But on a more portable scale, as mentioned above, radial intakes and box girders make the best stock floats. Especially if you want the thing to move across the water. You can also put a fair amount of weight on the pontoons in the Friespitter mod.

[Pecan]

Someone nudge Levelord, I love that floating Laythe base.

[bsalis]

Someone nudge Levelord, I love that floating Laythe base.

See here: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/70302-Advice-on-floating-bases

Personally my Laythe water base aspirations are far more modest...

[Javster]

See here: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/70302-Advice-on-floating-bases

Personally my Laythe water base aspirations are far more modest...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/9528644691_9d1b323e7d_z.jpg

How do you get the plane out of the water?

[SpacedCowboy]

Empty fuel tanks also provide great flotation. They also give the pontoon effect if your going for that "Party Barge" look!

[-Velocity-]

Yea, I have used empty fuel tanks before. But they are not very durable... go above like 20 m/s through water, and they're destroyed. So you need a VTOL aircraft in order to make use of them.

[bsalis]

How do you get the plane out of the water?

With the jets attached under the wings. You just need to keep lateral velocity under control. This may not be possible, depending upon the design.