On this date some years ago, research tells us, the first modern submarine was completed. Not surprisingly, it was the result of a major military research and development project, and a virtually limitless budget. What about the little guys, though? What about the toolshed handymen and wannabe mermaids (to indulge all manner of gendered stereotypes) who just want to take the old sub around the bay on weekends? This listicle of 11 Homemade Submarines is for them, proving that people other than military contractors can make underwater vessels.

Abandoned Yellow Submarine in South Georgia

That’s funny, we always assumed that the yellow submarine would end up somewhere in the sea of holes.

Homemade Submarine in St. Petersburg

This fellow built his own vessel. He also looks something like Daniel Craig, which leads us to suspect this could be a shot from the set of the next Bond movie.

Jacques Cousteau’s Great White Shark Submarine

It’s the old “wolf dressed as a sheep” strategy, here applied to researching Great Whites up close and personal.

Home-Made Submarine in Germany

This cute two-person model has something of a retro space cartoon look about it.

Drug-Smuggling Submarine

Leave it to drug dealers to create some super-sophisticated small-scale subs. This one was caught in Colombia, as was…

Colombian Drug-Smuggling Submarine

This slightly more conventional drug-smuggling sub, caught in 2008.

Costa Rican Drug-Smuggling Submarine

Last drug sub, we promise.

Homemade Submarine in China

Maybe it’s just the angle of this photograph, but it looks like it’s made of paper mache. Not like…

Another Homemade Chinese Submarine

With all that storage space, this must be another drug submarine.

Triton 1000

Alright, so the Striton 1000 is actually designed by U.S. Submarines, but it’s for just about anyone. Anyone with a yacht to launch from.

Aquasub

Another solo sub sold to crazy wealthy people. This one is never deeper than a few feet, but it can move. Plus it looks badass.