Glass Bottom Dinghy

[bmanley]

After thumbing through the Caribean article in Cruising World I was wonder if anybody has a glass bottom dinghy. Seems like a pretty neet idea in clear water.

MAybe just a window or two.

~Brett

[Sandero]

I think that is a super idea... but it would get fouled and need cleaning to be effective.

I think you could fashion a glass bottomed spy tube as well.

jef
sv shiva

[GordMay]

Transparent Dinghy (8 Ft, 100 Lbs):
The “Seeshell Dinghy” features a one-piece, seamless molded hull of our specially-milled acrylic--no seam, no leaks. The passengers are virtually "in a giant dive mask, viewing the treasures of the underwater world from above"
Acrylicraft: Manufacturers of the Clear Bottom SeeShell Dinghy-The ultimate " glass bottom boat ".

[Vasco]

I think Caribe makes a dink with a port on the bottom.

[Sandero]

I think that acrylic dink is a hoot. Trouble is it is too small for a primary work horse dink and becomes another tow to stow. Great for the mega yachts though... or the beach side hotels.

jef
sv shiva

[rtbates]

No, but I have a bucket in which I replaced the bottom with clear lexan. Works great as underwater viewer AND it still functions as a bucket as well. .

[TaoJones]

Gord, I love the motor on the Seeshell - what model is that?

TaoJones

[Octopus]

I can't yet report on how good they are, but we recently bought two transparent Molokini kayaks that seem pretty cool. They are light and can fit inside one another.

Chris
L420, Octopus

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by rtbates

No, but I have a bucket in which I replaced the bottom with clear lexan. Works great as underwater viewer AND it still functions as a bucket as well. .

Like Randy, my home-made "Looking Bucket"* was an indispensable accessory. I made mine using some scrap plexiglass, 5200, and a dark-coloured plastic bucket.

Commercial Underwater Viewer - Battiscope or Bathyscope: New & Used Scuba Dive Gear - Underwater Battiscope

DIY Underwater Viewer:
Underwater Viewer Reveals Shoreline Fun - Home Focus

[04 Marine]

Wave Dancer Dory has a 14' nesting fiberglass dory (DIY construction) and indicates that a ports could be installed in the bottoms to check the anchor or view fish if that's your thing. I think the weight is around 70# due to corecell construction and carbonfiber/kevlar laminations.

[idpnd]

Gord's transparent dingy link is dead unfortunately - it looks great!

[Cormorant]

I built a Bolger Elegant Punt once with four Lexan windows in the bottom, each about 14" x 6". I used it mostly in NE US waters -- i.e. not crystal clear -- and we found that you'd only get a good view of the undersea world when light conditions were just right. If bright sun was directly overhead, it didn't work. It had to slant in at an angle low enough to illuminate the water, but leave the window in shadow of the boat's side. Just like with a viewing bucket. And of course you had to be in water four feet deep or less, otherwise you wouldn't really see the bottom anyway.

I'm sure it would have been better in clear tropical water, but for our use, it was a bit disappointing overall.

I've often been tempted to cut a viewing port into the hull of our 31' Cormorant, down below where it would always be shaded . . . but for some reason can't bring myself to do it. . . .