Transparent Sailboat

[Jim Cate]

Way back in 1983 Ann and I met a chap from Santa Cruz who worked for Bill Lee at the Santa Cruz boatworks. He had built himself a very nice mid-thirties foot sloop in the SC format, butwith a cruising layout. He had put a clear panel (polycarbonate IIRC) in the hull just under the saloon table, and it was kinda cool to sit there looking into the sea when anchored (this was in HanaleiBay on Kauaii, and the water was very clear).

But, the panel was constantly fouling with various critters, and he was getting weary of having to clean it every couple of days.

Doing a whole boat like that is a pretty bad idea structurally, aesthetically and practically. Other than that, why not? After all, musicians are always right???

Jim

[HopCar]

There have been several clear dinghies sold. I remember we sold a really nice one back in the 1950's. I have a photo of my Dad holding one over his head to show how light it was. The problem is that they get scratched up pretty bad.

There is also no shortage of large Glass Bottom Boats used to give tours of reefs and springs.

[Wotname]

A quick check on Wikipedia suggests that ALON could work (??) but at $2,000 per square foot (around 3/16" thick), it might be out of reach for some of us.

The good news is that you only half the thickness of GRP .

Aluminium oxynitride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Broken-Sailor

Did you know there is transparent aluminum and it is used as bullet proof windows? Thing is the way it is made the largest pieces are only 30"x30" in size and they cost an arm and a leg. Have no idea how the salt water would effect it.

Sent from my KFOT using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Aluminum is a component of the clear material, bit it is not in fact "transparent aluminum".

Too bad, we need a way to transport the whales.