Postby jimh » Tue Jun 13, 2023 7:45 am
I am guessing the original location for the towing-lifting eye was where the upper rail of the swim ladder is now attached to the transom.
I favor putting the towing-lifting eye back in its original location.
I favor leaving the swim platform where it is because I would not want to repair all of the new holes that now hold the swim ladder. To accomplish that, I would carefully bend the upper railing so it moves outboard just enough to clear the towing eye. Then make one new hole to hold the upper rail of the swim ladder in its new position. You might need to remove the ladder in order to bend the railing with a pipe bender. If the slightly bent upper rail no longer reaches the transom for flush fit, you can use a plastic spacer washer to fill the gap.
Or, if you don’t mind repairing the three holes from the swim ladder that won’t be used, move the swim ladder inboard just enough to clear the restored towing-lifting eye. However, in that location the swim ladder upper rail might be fouling the towing line run to the Port towing eye.
The simplest remedy is just move the hole for the towing eye inboard just enough to clear the upper railing. Before doing that you must check and be certain there is sufficient embedded reinforcement in the transom to support a lifting-towing eye in that more inboard location.
Also, you need to carefully check the path the trailer hold-down strap will take to be sure the path is not obstructed by the swim ladder.
Also, use best quality marine grade stainless steel hardware so you won’t have rust dripping down the transom.