Bow and Stern eyes

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject: Bow and Stern eyes

Are secure are bow and stern eyes on 22' Angler? Can these be used to lift the boat using a davit lift?

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

I would not do it without some serious re-inforcement. If you want to lift in davits use a set of slings, or bunk boards--this is proper. The only way you might want to use eyes would be if this is the tender on your 75 foot Fedship!

On the CD 25, the bow is just thru some thickened resin, with no serious back up plate--I may change that. I see that in my boat that the stern eyes have been worked on (gel coat does not quite match)--and backed with starboard. I would be very cautious about even doing serious towing with the eyes as they are.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject:

thanks Bob

I was told differently that they were lifting eyes. I am not sure about a bunk board setup using a pair of davits but assume a crade under the boat that is longer than the boat with lifting points at each end.

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject:

Usually a bow lifting eye is on the deck, not under the bow. Generally they are threaded rod going down thru or by a bulkhead into an "L" bracket, rather than right into the deck. I fitted out a sailboat to make a jib tack for a cutter rig, but putting an Eye thru the deck into 3" "L" which was then bolted to a major bulkhead--and it would take the load of 4000 lbs.

On all of the C Dories, the bow eye is a towing eye--where it can be used to pull the boat on the trailer, and to tow the boat (although I would beef it up). I towed a Grady White 20 foot walk around behind a trawler and had to build an oak block 4" thick, to fit the contour of the inside of the bow, then put it in placed with epoxy and mish/mash and glass.

The 16 was lifted by its bow eye--and I am sure that you could do this--but there is no weight in the boat.

To lift with the towing eye, you would have to have some form of a bridle--I would want a strongback to prevent a crushing load on the hull.

As to lifting the stern, If I was going to do that, I would put an eye bolt or U Bolt thru the wood of the transom on each side of the engine--and back them with plates on the inside, then lift right on each side of the motor. Probably this would be OK--but I would be much more comfortable with the boat sitting on a cradle.

I don't remember my 22's aft eyes, but I believe they were not thru the transom. The 25's are only thru relitatively thin fiberglass and would not take the load of picking up the entire boat. (I was looking at the towing eye of the 25 today--and it is relitatively light--I would not consider using it to pick the boat up)

You would want two 3000 lb davits--pretty hefty!--most folks find a lift is cheaper and easier. Pensacola Yacht Club has a 4000 lb davit, and they keep having lots of problems with the base and attatchements to its supporting structure (used for launching trailerable sailboats, which have lifting rings--usually right into the keels). (the 3000 lb davit for the stern and probably a 2000 lb davit for the bow--would work for the 4500 lb 22)

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject:

thanks again

We already have 2 HD davits rated 7500 lbs each with a non working boat hanging with no problems. The lifts were rebuilt with new motors, cables, new wiring and both controllers on one side, and works perfectly. Waiting to junk the existing boat and need to repair the I/O transom gasket then float to the ramp for removal. No plans to built a lift like yours but very disappointed the bow and transom eyes are not up to the job. We have one spreader bar so plan to buy another and some slings. Any recommendations on slings?

Again, I am so glad I asked!

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

Our neighbor had his 22 in slings, and now has his TC 24 in slings and we had a Grady White which we kept in slings. We put the aft sling just foreward of the transom. We used webbing--I belive we purchased the slings from Ace Boat lifts.

You can put lifting eyes on the transom thru the wood, with back up blocks, that you would do fine. How far apart are the lifts? I assume that they are not pedistal mounted?

You can always re-inforce the bow eye--but the question remains how attatch to the bow eye, so that you have a directly upward lift, without significant inward force--You might be able to tie a deck eye to the bow eye, or down into the stem.

BrentB · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks again, Bob

good info. The lifts are 26' feet apart and pedestal style, set ~ 4 x 4 x 4 ' concrete foundation. Well built and in great condition after 25 yrs.

Installing in transom is fine but I was hoping the existing ones were already built into it. I wanted to tie into the bow eye form the deck. I was planiing to a short loop strap in front. We use the same type of loop except use 3 to lift the Lightning off the trailer.