Bow Eye Replacement

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I took my former boat, a Mac 26 S, to a marine dealer so that the boat could be hoisted for a "swing keel repair". So, I watched the fella begin to hoist my Mac, and noticed that he hooked to the bow eye, and put a strap underneath, a few feet from the back. I asked if he felt the "eye bolt" would hold all that weight, and he seemed okay with the idea. I expected the weight to be too much. But the eye bolt held with no problem as I worked under the boat, removing, repairing, and reinstalling the swing keel. This may be of some interest to anyone wondering how much strength is in that bow eye assembly.
Happy Sailing

[mrbill]

YIKES!!!!

I replaced my bow eye a year ago... (as it was pulling out.)

I still can not beleive how little backing existed.

on the threaded end of the u bolt, there were two basic (not fender) washers, and maybe 2 layers of roving to support the bow eye.

(in fact the glass was hollow between the hull and where the washers were originally placed).

I filled it with west system, then redrilled and used fender washers...

the stock bow eye is NOT very strong! (at least the bedding).


(the washers are the same as pretty much all deck fitting. under sized)

I also use a 3 strand line from the trailer around the bow which helps trailer bouncing... and is added security.

[craiglaforce]

Maybe the older models "S" and "D" had strong bow eyes, but the X bow eye is pretty weak, especially if you look at it from inside.
No way in heck would I crawl under an X hung only from the bow eye. Although a lifting direction of pull is at least partly borne directly against the sightly angled stem of the boat I think ?

The way the forestay is attached to the front also gives me the willies, but they don't seem to be failing (at least in normal service).