stich & glue glass bottom boat

[JT!]

i was looking at building a boat similar to the glen-l jimbo 16' plywood boat.


is it possible to use thick acrylic sheets in the floor to have a see thru hull
(mainly for seeing the fish as we jig and troll ...)

can it be done or is it known to be catastrophic?

 

[oops!]

Re: stich & glue glass bottom boat

epoxy is a really strong glue.....i would imagine you could glue some patches in......but the boat will still need stringers.....so the idea of a full sized sheet in there is one i would not consider unless a lot of home work has been done

 

[erikgreen]

Re: stich & glue glass bottom boat

The flex in the hull combined with the temperature difference between the colder water and warmer air above will cause a catastrophic failure in short order. Even the more modern polycarbonate products will fail this way.

Additionally, acrylic plastics are not very resistant to scratches, so after your first trip on the lake you'd have a very blurred "window" to look through, from your feet on the plastic and also scratches on the outside.

That's why most glass bottom boats use actual glass. Tempered usually, and usually not structural, IE the rest of the bottom is reinforced to support it.

Don't get discouraged though, you can still do it, but I'd suggest building the boat first then adding in some windows.

Or alternatively, buy one of those cheap "drop cameras" like they sell at harbor freight and dangle it over the side when you want to see what's happening.

Erik

 

[oops!]

Re: stich & glue glass bottom boat

Or alternatively, buy one of those cheap "drop cameras" like they sell at harbor freight and dangle it over the side when you want to see what's happening.

Erik

there is your answer.....cheapest ...best all around way to go.....

 

[Shizzy]

Re: stich & glue glass bottom boat

Acrylic isnt very impact resistant as well. I would look in to maybe using Polycarbonate.

the underwater camera sounds like a much better idea though....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: stich & glue glass bottom boat

every glass bottom boat i have ever seen has a wall around it, up to the gunnel of the boat. basically a box, in the middle of the boat. with a clear bottom.

like an over sized center board cutout in a sail boat.