I have a small aluminum semi-V skiff on which I think a better bow eye than is currently installed would be a big advantage, but .. I need some recomendations/discussions, please.<br /><br />The current bow eye is on top of a small plate at the highest point on the bow. That puts it well above the height of the trailer winch. Loading the boat by winch pulls the boat down severely into the trailer bunks. I can't believe that a straight pull wouldn't be better for both loading ease and hull stress relief.<br /><br />I've tried to devise ways to modify the winch assembly, but nothing appears to resolve the issue from that approach.<br /><br />My thought is to install a bow eye (two hole U-bolt design) lower on the prow more inline with the winch and lower than the winch roller/stop. I plan on backing this with a one inch diameter aluminum tube to distribute the pressure over a wider area inside the hull. <br /><br />The hull is doubled at this point and I've also laid in a short section of welded bead along the inside seam.<br /><br />Can anyone come up with a criticism for simply drilling through the prow seam, sealing it and installing the bow eye or ... offering a better suggestion?<br /><br />I hope I've described all this well enough to illustrate what I have and what I'm trying to accomplish.<br /><br />Any thoughts will be appreciated, very much.
<br /><br />I must say the the installation looks good and the pull to the winch is now straight with no down-pull onto the bunks. This 45 minute effort will also relieve the hull bending that had to result from pulling down on the bow and then strapping down the transom. I'm happy.<br /><br />Thanks again .. I do appreciate all your comments.