Deck Prism Conversion
Does anyone have any experience views on this?
Swan 55/12 has two (leaky) deck prism, one of them gives light to the fwd head, the other to the fwd corridor leading to the forepeak.
Especially to improve ventilation of fwd head (which incidentally also has a Vetus Vent,) which is a bit claustrophobic, I'm considering replacing the deck prism with a flush port hole.
Any views experiences or ideas most welcome.
Thanks
Michele

Hi, I was thinking to make the same improvement on my 47 about three years ago, but I renounced for reasons of hurry. Anyway I still have a Goyot porthole, opal N.20, this one:
http://www.goiot.com/bdd/pdf/51.pdf
I think that it would be a good improvement, anyway we seldom use the forward head..
In case this porthole might be useful to you, let me know. Thank you,

Thanks Matteo45,
I'll keep your message in mind in case I move ahead with this idea.
Ciao
M

Dear Michele,

I would just overhaul the prism, perhaps get a new one, that's all.

Imagine your beautiful teak deck with a brand new modern Goiot hatch...and imagine someone who one day or another will not remember to close it before crossing in a choppy sea...!

Fair winds!

matteo (38/067 Only You)

Is it still possible to purchase the prisms, for instance at Nautor? Or do they have to be custom made? Ours look pretty bad and I would like to replace them.

Christian 411/028

Hi Christian,
I do not know about Nautor but deck prisms are still produced and available for sale.
See for example
http://www.sailboatstuff.com/cb_fixport.html
or
http://www.greenboatstuff.com/dacobrandgld.html

Daniel, 411/004

Dear all
A shop working with acrylic (Plexiglass) material should be able to make a new prism provided they get the measurements. The prism can be made by gluing a flat and a triangular piece together.
Kind regards
Lars

Hi Michele,

Many years ago I changed out the prism in the head for a hatch and have never regretted it.  There used to be air from a dorade vent but quite honestly it was always stuffy in there with the door closed.

I have changed the prisms in the main salon; we wanted a little more light so went for slightly bigger prisms, which we had made as Lars described from 'plastic'.   After a few years they discoloured, well I think it was the glue that discouloured, and they crazed.  We then went back to glass which we found at Davey & Co., London.  They came with bronze surrounds at that time so we made our own ss surrounds to better suit the boat.   We had to adjust the deck cutouts and modify the inside trims a little but that was all.

A word of warning: be sure to use the correct sealant for the material you choose – some products don't like glass, some don't like 'plastic' so the dripping never stops inside !

Good luck

David 43/12

Sorry but i definitely agree with Matteo that on our S&S boats we should keep the originality even if we suffer a bit of hot temperature in summer. ;)

On our 44 we replace teak and all the 4 prisms easily by a Genoa plexiglass supplier .

Alberto
Pippus 44-011

Hi Alberto,
my complimenta for your beautiful deck!
Matteo, Grampus 47/016