13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
mrmthomas
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13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby mrmthomas » Sat Jul 03, 2021 9:02 am

Give a procedure to repair a broken towing bow eye on a 13-footer of unspecified age.


Is the bow eye connected to the lifting eye on the inside of the boat?

BACKSTORY

My fishing trip was halted in its tracks as the bow towing eye was broken. It was intact two days ago, but a third of it has broken off. It probably broke down during take out and fell off on the ride home.


Matt

Oldslowandugly
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Re: Broken Bow Towing Eye

Postby Oldslowandugly » Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:36 am

The bow eye and the inside lifting eye are connected with a threaded rod. Since your bow eye is broken you would take a drift and punch the remainder of the rod and lifting eye out of the hull. Then you make sure the fiberglass around the hole is in good shape. I had to re-glass the area since the hole had been enlarged by the rod moving around. Since my original parts were solid I just poured fiberglass resin down inside the hole and let it harden around the rod. You will need a new eye set and rod so look for parts.

https://www.specialtymarine.com/collections/classic-13-1958-1976?page=3

I would use stainless steel parts.

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Phil T
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Re: Broken Bow Towing Eye

Postby Phil T » Sat Jul 03, 2021 11:30 am

I would not source parts from Specialty. Sorry.

I would contact the Parts Department at either Twin Cities or Nauset Marine can get you what you need.

Ask for Sue at Twin Cities and Justin at Nauset provide excellent customer service.

http://www.beacontcm.com

http://www.nausetmarine.com
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jimh
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby jimh » Sat Jul 03, 2021 3:56 pm

The procedure to replace a broken bow eye depends on the age of the boat.

If the boat is still under warranty, make an appointment with your dealer for a warranty repair.

This is why you should mention the age of the boat.

If the boat is not under warranty:

  • buy replacement parts
  • remove old parts
  • refurbish hole in hull as needed
  • install new parts

The bow eye and lifting eye are threaded onto a connecting threaded rod. If they have been threaded together for 50-years, they may be reluctant to unthread. Cut the threaded rod if necessary.

Your inference that the bow eye was intended for towing is speculative.

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Phil T
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby Phil T » Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:45 pm

Your inference that the bow eye was intended for towing is speculative.


Jim - Excuse me?
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jimh
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby jimh » Sat Jul 03, 2021 7:27 pm

Boston Whaler offered option towing eyes intended for towing at planing speeds on some models.

The suitability of the broken bow eye under discussion for high-speed towing is speculative at best. The suitability after repair is unknown.

The bow eye is used on trailers for the winch strap attachment point. You could fasten a painter to it for mooring. Can you use it to tow at high speeds?

For advice on towing using the bow eye, refer to the owner’s manual.

This HTML version discusses towing at

https://continuouswave.com/whaler/refer ... tml#towing

I’d rely on that source. It EXPLICITLY cautions against using the bow eye in certain instances and recommends a bridle attached to the transom.

Phil—you will have to excuse me for relying on Boston Whaler for this advice.

Oldslowandugly
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby Oldslowandugly » Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:54 pm

I think [MRMTHOMAS—the originator of this discussion] was using [the bow eye] as a trailer tie down—as most of us would.

I am not sure what the original materials were used on the bow and lifting eyes.

I do know my own [boat’s bow eye and lifting eyes] have suffered from saltwater.

I generally use stainless steel to replace things whenever possible.

ASIDE ON WHAT VENDOR HAS SUPPLIED PARTS
I have purchased several items from [Specialty Marine], and I have been very happy with the quality. My 15-footer’s stainless bow rail is over 10-years-old and looks as good as new.

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Phil T
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby Phil T » Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:20 am

I think the OP has referred to the "bow eye" as the "towing bow eye" as an oversight.

Not everyone knows the technical name for every boat part.
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jimh
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby jimh » Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:53 pm

Boston Whaler uses the term towing bow eye, but they also suggest a lot of alternate methods. The days of the 13-footer as a tender to a yacht are in the past. Bigger boats now seem to use inflatable small boats for tenders.

In any event, to be towing a 13-footer as a tender you’re going to need a much bigger boat as the towing boat.

dtmackey
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Re: 13-footer Broken Bow Eye

Postby dtmackey » Wed Jul 07, 2021 9:26 am

If the threaded rod between the inner and outer eye has broken then remove the broken rod and purchase a new piece of threaded rod from McMaster Carr and only use 316 Stainless grade. Thread size should be 1/2" dia and 13 threads per inch. 1/2-13 threaded rod.

D-