glas block port light?

[sailormanbigd]

My free boat is dark down below deck. Was wonderring if anyone has used glass blocks to let more light in? Do they make them thinner than 4 inches? I was thinking they would work pretty good. 8x8 x2 would be ideal with a little moulding around the inside. Do you think they would let in much heat from the sun? Since they come hollow, would that allow some insulation? Just thinking. Patrick

 

[Ron20324]

There are "deck prisms" that are made for that purpose. Usually a glass trangle shape, i've seen them about 3x3x8 inches long. I'm sure there are other sizes.

 

[Ross]

Just googled "deck prisims" and got a 195,000 hits. Some of them look a lot like the glass juicers for citrus fruit. If you go to a commercial glass shop and tell them what you need they can likely make one from heavy plate glass.

 

[sailingdog]

Just be aware not all deck prism-shaped items are designed for being mounted in a boat's deck or cabintop... also, a hatch would make more sense, since it could be opened for ventilation when required.

 

[sailormanbigd]

Yeh But...

I realize that small deck hatches would be better. I would like some, but they are very pricey and stick up too much for me. I am a bit clumbsy on deck. I was at home depot and they have glass blocks 8x8x4 thick for something around $10. My deck is probably around an inch thick-that would leave 3" protruding into the cabin roof. I suppose if i place them where i won't be walking then they would be less of a head banging hazard. I was just wonderring if anyone had thoughts about heat emission through the block and if anyone knew of 2" blocks? Patrick

 

[Ross]

Re: Yeh But...

They make a solid glass block for sidewalk skylights. Google glass block and see what you get.

 

[Ron20324]

There's always the 6 inch-or-so round access ports that have clear plastic. You could mount one from above, one from below if you need to bridge that one-inch deck.

 

[sailingdog]

Using a inspection port with a clear deck plate makes far more sense than trying to jury rig glass blocks into the cabin top. They're lighter and can be opened...and doesn't intrude into the cabin as much.