loose eyelet

[moparkid16]

i have a 1971 starcraft capri. the front eyelet, that the trailer winch hooks onto, is loose on the bottom. the only way of getting to it is by taking off the whole top of the boat, as far as i know. i was thinking about cutting a hole or drilling a hole big enough for a socket to fit in, from the inside of the boat. it is an open bow. is this a good idea? or can i put some rubber silicon around the loose eyelet? this is my first boat, and its becomming quite the project. i just wanna get on the water!

 

[foodfisher]

Re: loose eyelet

You'll need a hole big enough to work thru. Bolt is probably rusted or the backer wood is rotted or both.They make hatches for that. I'd recommend getting the proper hole cutting dimensions first.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: loose eyelet

I had to do that on a different boat; I cut through a small locker in the bow. behind it was flotation foam I had to cut and claw out, then I got to the back of the bow eye--the nuts had rusted off and the whole thing pulled out while trailering. could have been bad; the strap saved the day becuase the safety chain is hooked to that eye! Could have been worse if it had failed while power winching it on to the trailer, too.

So if you trailer your boat, make that job one, and don't rely or pull on it until you do.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: loose eyelet

I agree with foodfisher, you need to secure that eyelet. Imagine winching the boat onto the trailer and having it pull through. Not good.

 

[moparkid16]

Re: loose eyelet

thanks guys, this is why im asking before i do anything. my number one concern was the engine. if it wouldnt fire up, i was gonna have a bonfire with the boat and sell the trailer. but the engine fired up, so im looking into the other problems now. this will be my next fix! problem is, im just not sure its worth the hassle, im sure it needs a total overhaul done. but if i can get it to float till i can afford a better boat, i gotta do what i gotta do. great learning experience if nothing else

 

[babbot]

Re: loose eyelet

Not sure what your bow looks like but you may be able to at least see whats going if your nav lights are straight above. If its close enough maybe even get a socket with an extension. If it is just loose try to get a double nut or locktite on it so it doesn't come loose again. Other than that you may have to cut a hole. Think ahead maybe you can put somthing in the hole after like a speaker or storage compartment.