Hello Macgregor experts, I'm thinking about adding a plexiglas panel to the cabin sole on my Mac so that I can watch the fish and see the underwater world from the safety of my boat. Has anyone done this? I think if I use some small screws and enough 3M 5200, it won't leak. Perhaps a piece of plexi, 1/2" thick, say 18"X24"? Should I put the plexiglas on the outside of the hull, or inside? My friend John S. said this may be a bad idea. Any opinions? -Jay Gerhard Mac 26X
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Another idea
That idea really makes me nervous. I have an underwater camera that does the same thing and does not involve cutting a hole in the hull.
That idea really makes me nervous. I have an underwater camera that does the same thing and does not involve cutting a hole in the hull.
scuba mask!!!!
Sounds like a neat thing ,but I dont like anything that sounds like {cut a hole in the hull}.I dont think it is a wise choice but I could be wrong?
Sounds like a neat thing ,but I dont like anything that sounds like {cut a hole in the hull}.I dont think it is a wise choice but I could be wrong?
water ballast
Isn't the water ballast between the viewer and the water? The pressure around the edges of dissimilar materials like plexi and fibreglass are not easily calculated, and are usually the areas of failure. This isn't something I would ruin a boat for without an awful lot of consulting? the conditions for just floating along, are quite different from pounding against a wave, or motoring? I wouldn't do it, but it would be cool.
Isn't the water ballast between the viewer and the water? The pressure around the edges of dissimilar materials like plexi and fibreglass are not easily calculated, and are usually the areas of failure. This isn't something I would ruin a boat for without an awful lot of consulting? the conditions for just floating along, are quite different from pounding against a wave, or motoring? I wouldn't do it, but it would be cool.
Consider this
Hi Jay, I think John is right and this looks like a bad idea. If you must go this way I would contact some of the glass bottom boat people and ask them what material they use, how thick is it, etc. Then I would go to town, have a beer and think of something else to do that's fun. Good luck
Steve
Hi Jay, I think John is right and this looks like a bad idea. If you must go this way I would contact some of the glass bottom boat people and ask them what material they use, how thick is it, etc. Then I would go to town, have a beer and think of something else to do that's fun. Good luck
SteveNot good
I've often thought it would be neat to do what you suggest on a boat, after having ridden in many tourist glass bottom boats over reefs and springs and wrecks. However, it is not easily done safely, even when done on boat expressly designed for that. I'd use lexan or glass, not acrylic (Plexiglas is a brand)because it's stronger, doesn't react to most engine fuels or other chemicals in water. HOwever, the way most glass bottom boats are designed are quite different than the light weight, very thin hulls of fiberglas that are our Macs. In the glass installation there must be a frame that has a minimum of flex under the worst expected conditions. The clear material in the port should have the minimum amount of expansion or contraction during changes of temperature to avoid compromising the sealant used. Remember the sealant can't be the only barrier to high pressure water intrusion, their must be phsyical barriers also like gaskets. I'd use a minimum of 1 inch thickness of glass or Lexan if I were to do it, to reduce the chance of fracture in an unexpected collision with flotsam or jetsam, reefs, old wrecks, drill pipes, or the trailer while loading and unloading. And forget landing on a beach to picnic or run the kids or dogs to burn off energy, because contact with sand, gravel or sand filled water would abrade the surface of the viewing port making it almost useless. Best idaa and a lot more versatile, and less expensive to do the same thing is get a good underwater video camera with cockpit or cabin display. Better a sensor hung over the side, or affixed to the transom or swim platform, than a hole in the hull, even if you solve the water ballast problem in installation.
I've often thought it would be neat to do what you suggest on a boat, after having ridden in many tourist glass bottom boats over reefs and springs and wrecks. However, it is not easily done safely, even when done on boat expressly designed for that. I'd use lexan or glass, not acrylic (Plexiglas is a brand)because it's stronger, doesn't react to most engine fuels or other chemicals in water. HOwever, the way most glass bottom boats are designed are quite different than the light weight, very thin hulls of fiberglas that are our Macs. In the glass installation there must be a frame that has a minimum of flex under the worst expected conditions. The clear material in the port should have the minimum amount of expansion or contraction during changes of temperature to avoid compromising the sealant used. Remember the sealant can't be the only barrier to high pressure water intrusion, their must be phsyical barriers also like gaskets. I'd use a minimum of 1 inch thickness of glass or Lexan if I were to do it, to reduce the chance of fracture in an unexpected collision with flotsam or jetsam, reefs, old wrecks, drill pipes, or the trailer while loading and unloading. And forget landing on a beach to picnic or run the kids or dogs to burn off energy, because contact with sand, gravel or sand filled water would abrade the surface of the viewing port making it almost useless. Best idaa and a lot more versatile, and less expensive to do the same thing is get a good underwater video camera with cockpit or cabin display. Better a sensor hung over the side, or affixed to the transom or swim platform, than a hole in the hull, even if you solve the water ballast problem in installation.
Glass Bottom bucket
Jay, How about joining a couple of plastic buckets together and glue a piece of plexiglass on one end. Dip the bucket over the side and watch the fish go by. A lot cheaper and reversible. If you don't like it or got tired of the fun, just trash it. No hole left in the boat and a lot cheaper than an underwater camera.
Jay, How about joining a couple of plastic buckets together and glue a piece of plexiglass on one end. Dip the bucket over the side and watch the fish go by. A lot cheaper and reversible. If you don't like it or got tired of the fun, just trash it. No hole left in the boat and a lot cheaper than an underwater camera.
Buy a fishbowl...
You have an interesting idea...but a fishbowl would be LESS hazardous, expense, labor, and structurally bad for your Mac-X. A fun thing is having "dry dog food pellets", pitching them in the air for sea gulls...I've had approximately 200 gulls feeding on one occasion. (I hope its legal). ... and dont forget an umbrella...heh heh Happy Sailing to you and yours...
You have an interesting idea...but a fishbowl would be LESS hazardous, expense, labor, and structurally bad for your Mac-X. A fun thing is having "dry dog food pellets", pitching them in the air for sea gulls...I've had approximately 200 gulls feeding on one occasion. (I hope its legal). ... and dont forget an umbrella...heh heh Happy Sailing to you and yours...
See what you aren't catching?
Fishing is frustrating enough without seeing them (the fish I mean) laugh at you. See link below for cheapest* "glass bottom boat" I've found. * A lot cheaper than a new 26X after you've ruined your hull integrity by cutting a hole in it! Happy fish finding *_/), MArk
Fishing is frustrating enough without seeing them (the fish I mean) laugh at you. See link below for cheapest* "glass bottom boat" I've found. * A lot cheaper than a new 26X after you've ruined your hull integrity by cutting a hole in it! Happy fish finding *_/), MArk
I got a bad feeling about this`
Who's going drive the boat while the fish voyeurs are below? You can't be serious. Stay away from Wekki Wakki Springs.
Who's going drive the boat while the fish voyeurs are below?
You can't be serious. Stay away from Wekki Wakki Springs.
buy this:
and pull it behind the boat, while the autopilot seers! just get the remote model for the pilot. http://www.directboats.com/tranrowdin.html the video camera would be cool. but where are you sailing that you can see the bottom? or get some 8" pvc and lexan and make a long bucket / viewer.
and pull it behind the boat, while the autopilot seers! just get the remote model for the pilot. http://www.directboats.com/tranrowdin.html the video camera would be cool. but where are you sailing that you can see the bottom? or get some 8" pvc and lexan and make a long bucket / viewer.
Funny...no pics looking thru bottom from above...
Their ad showed every possible angle of the boat, even a fish eyed view, but no shots looking thru the bottom. I did get a craving for scallops though for some reason, Mmmm Scallops...
Their ad showed every possible angle of the boat, even a fish eyed view, but no shots looking thru the bottom. I did get a craving for scallops though for some reason, Mmmm Scallops...
You can't be serious!
If you are serious, just put some fish in the ballast tank, because that's what you'd be looking at. Or get an aquarium. This has to be the MOST rediculous thing i have ever heard in my 35+ years of boating. It's remarks like this that unfortunately make us macgregor owners the "butt of jokes" made by many other boaters, please.
If you are serious, just put some fish in the ballast tank, because that's what you'd be looking at. Or get an aquarium. This has to be the MOST rediculous thing i have ever heard in my 35+ years of boating. It's remarks like this that unfortunately make us macgregor owners the "butt of jokes" made by many other boaters, please.
Video
Actually there are a lot of uses for the new, cheap 12v underwater video cameras. Besides viewing the outside (and maybe inside)of a great white, you can check the condition of your hull, see how bad the damage to your keel was when you hit the rock, check anchor seat or the reef below. They even have lcd lights built in so you can see at night. I use a little 5" lcd 12v tv to watch. Works great.
Actually there are a lot of uses for the new, cheap 12v underwater video cameras. Besides viewing the outside (and maybe inside)of a great white, you can check the condition of your hull, see how bad the damage to your keel was when you hit the rock, check anchor seat or the reef below. They even have lcd lights built in so you can see at night. I use a little 5" lcd 12v tv to watch. Works great.
Door peep hole
If you must try a bottom window then drill a small hole to install one of those wide angle peep hole viewers that city folks put thru their front doors. The structure won't be compromised anywhere near as much. You'll need to find a peep hole thingy that has a flat lens on the outside so the optical properties are not altered by interfacing with water instead of air outside. If it pops out watch out that your angry crew doesn't use one of your body parts to plug the hole.
If you must try a bottom window then drill a small hole to install one of those wide angle peep hole viewers that city folks put thru their front doors. The structure won't be compromised anywhere near as much. You'll need to find a peep hole thingy that has a flat lens on the outside so the optical properties are not altered by interfacing with water instead of air outside. If it pops out watch out that your angry crew doesn't use one of your body parts to plug the hole.
Can I have salvage rights to your x...
As I come up with nutty ideas for my boat, I have to agree, it's not a good idea. Even if you successfully made it, you'll be watching the sludge on the glass more than fish. No matter where you sail, salt or fresh. Consider an underwater camera, or consider making a device like mine. An Underscope. Use a piece of pvc pipe ( whatever width, 4" works) Length of 6', silicone lexan or a glass lens to one end. I went further and put 90 degree piece with a mirror inside. Opposite a periscope, it works. Currently trying to develop it as an uderwater telescope but... With the ammount of time spent on it vs. time you look at the wonderful world of underwater pollution, you might see that it doesn't pay to cut a hole in your boat. I'm trying to find out how to plug a thru hull fitting. If you still want to make your X "Das Boot", can you tell me where you'll be trying it out...
As I come up with nutty ideas for my boat, I have to agree, it's not a good idea. Even if you successfully made it, you'll be watching the sludge on the glass more than fish. No matter where you sail, salt or fresh. Consider an underwater camera, or consider making a device like mine. An Underscope. Use a piece of pvc pipe ( whatever width, 4" works) Length of 6', silicone lexan or a glass lens to one end. I went further and put 90 degree piece with a mirror inside. Opposite a periscope, it works. Currently trying to develop it as an uderwater telescope but... With the ammount of time spent on it vs. time you look at the wonderful world of underwater pollution, you might see that it doesn't pay to cut a hole in your boat. I'm trying to find out how to plug a thru hull fitting. If you still want to make your X "Das Boot", can you tell me where you'll be trying it out...
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