Bow Lift Eye

E

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Folks,<br /><br />My neighbor accross the street (who is on a canal w/ a 2 minute ride to the gulf) has offered me space on her dock with davits. I need to install a lift eye in the bow, I would like to install it just aft and against the fishing platform, I understand you need to attach through the keel, any thoughts and ideas would be welcome.<br /><br />BTW: This picture is with the final coat of primer, the eye would be right between the two compartment openings, where the deck drain is.<br /><br />
boatBowLiftEye.jpg
<br /><br />Any help is greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Bow Lift Eye

i take it the 'eye' would be facing up 'skyward'..??<br /><br />long drill.. can use a 3/8" cheap spade/flat bit an a foot long 'irwin' brand spade bit extension .. can buy 2 an couple up for a 24" long bit.. <br /><br />bore thur hull center ,,thru keel,,thru bottom of boat.. <br /><br />fine some/call around,, buy ss steel bolt rod.. bend a U in it .. run nuts up each leg an add ss steel fender washers..<br /><br /> an fit thru hull..<br /><br />fashion a ss steel plate ( narrow ) or use fender washers.. best to use plate..<br /><br />don't fret holes or hole slop.. mix up some marine tex epoxy putty fill up holes an lath on bolt rod legs good an install..
 
E

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Crab Bait,<br /><br />Yes 'skyward' there are two davits with steel cables (rated at 5,000 lbs), There will be a single 'eye' near the bow and two lift 'U' bolts through the transom. My neighbor gave me a 3/4" stainless lifting rod/eye combination. On other hulls I have seen them botled to the tow eye in the anchor well, I don't like this arangement since you will then have to keep the hatch open since the lift eye is inside the well.<br /><br />Thank you for the input, I understand your design, I like it better than the single eye in the well. I will definately use the plate, I will get in touch with a buddy who welds stainless and get one made up. 1/4" plate enough? Boat will weigh in around 1,500lbs.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Ed, i have seen several boat on davits that have nylon strap yoke type connector that hooks on the bow eye, and the yoke-strap go on each side of the bow. thats the best i can explain it in words. if you want me to draw a diagram email me at 'tashasdaddy@comcast.net'
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,093
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Or,............<br /><br />How about a Sling for the bow,.......<br /><br />No Need to be Drilling that way..........
 
E

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Tashasdaddy,<br /><br />I see what you are saying, I was just out standing on the boat thinking......<br /><br />Bondo,<br /><br />I think a bow sling would be good also, as long as it won't slip forward (that would be bad).<br /><br />Great ideas, it gives me food for thought before I go drilling holes in the hull I just finished re-building.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 
S

santa666

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
98
Re: Bow Lift Eye

... Wow, something that goes all the way to the keel, Is that necessary? <br /><br />What about a recessed plate with an eye in it?<br />The plate could have a nut welded on the bottom of it that goes to a long threaded rod that goes to/through the keel.<br /><br />The long threaded rod to the keel could thread into a welded foot that could be glassed into the hull...<br /><br />That way you get something to clip a lifting eye/caribiner too AND you wouldn't trip over it or have to unscrew an eye every single time you'd use the boat, jusy on hook yourself and go...<br /><br />I'd be able to draw one and e-mail it back to you ed.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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51,019
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Ed, with a sling, you could mount a cleat on each side of the bow, where the sling would be. tie a short piece of rope to the sling permanently and when you manuver into the sling, tie it off to the cleat. i think it would keep the sling from slipping.. are the davits adjustable or are they fixed at 90 degrees to the dock?
 
E

epresutti

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 14, 2001
Messages
465
Re: Bow Lift Eye

tashasdaddy,<br /><br />Both davits pivot 180 degrees, so you can swing the boat on to land.<br /><br />Santa666,<br /><br />The lift cable has a hook in the end, designed to fit into a lift eye.<br /><br />I will post a picture of the eye I have after I finish my drywall project today.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Messages
51,019
Re: Bow Lift Eye

use a pipe like 3" have an eye welded dead center, w/ hooks on eyes on end to mount the sling. if concerned about strenth of pipe weld a piece of angle iron on it lengthwise as a stiffener. i hate to drill a hole below the water line.
 
B

BillP

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Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Bow Lift Eye

Ed,<br />I've been hanging various ob boats on my boat lift since the 1970s. Done it many ways to fit each boat. If your bow eye is easy to reach I'd think about using a single strap (or wire rope with a hose over it for chafe protection) from the eye to the hoist cable. Put a hook on each end of the strap and make it just long enough to be handy at the dock. If you want it to be centered use a loop that passes over the bow. I don't know what size boat that is but a trailer winch strap will probably work. Simple is better. <br /><br />If you want to glass a lifting eye and rod in do it up near the bow and drill a hole in the deck. I've glassed two in and lined them up vertically with the bow eye so it can be used to secure the whole affair to the hull...this was copied from a 20' Proline that came from the factory with a lifting eye. The Proline hung for 10yrs without a problem. I only glassed opposite the bow eye to re-enforce the hull. Then passed the bow eye bolt through the piece (keel plate)that captures the rod. Depending on the bow eye setup you may have to add another bolt but one bolt will likely hold you boat.
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Bow Lift Eye

I vote for a strap system. The drawback I see to adding a lifting ring and keel plate is:<br /><br />1) the effort and cutting involved.<br /><br />2) Do you really know how to properly add a lifting ring to that boat? Could do more damage than good if you make a mistake.<br /><br />3) no chance of water leaking through any stress cracks that may develop.<br /><br />It you use straps, you are sure that there will be no damage to the boat from improper lifting points, and other than a few cleats, there is no real danger of breaking the boat from improperly installed hardware.<br /><br />Pickup some quality lifting straps and attach an empty soda bottle or two in case the drop into the water. <br /><br />Just my 2¢
 
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