bow eye leak, repair options question.

[DDM02]

Hello, last weekend was my first time taking out my 1992 bayliner capri with a force 120. It was a very nerve wrecking experience especially when I bought the boat 3 years ago on a whim knowing nothing about them. Make long story short before taking it out I noticed the bow eye was very loose. I tightened it up but it still leaks from the bottom bolt. So I do have to take it apart and seal it. I'm attaching a picture of the exact same bow eye I have on it. My question is if it's big enough for an 1800 lbs boat. I was terrified winching it back on the trailer. I thought it was going to snap off. Should I make a bigger backplate? I feel it's too small for a boat of that size or am I loosing my mind. Thank you for any advice in advance.

 

[smokeonthewater]

It's fine... Seal with 5200

 

[rallyart]

^^^ do what smoke said. It's best if you can remove it or loosen it enough to make sure the 3M 5200 gets in the holes. That stuff lasts and will help to stop the nuts from loosening again.

 

[Grub54891]

The above methods should be fine. If it's been loose for a long time,the holes may be wallowed out. If they are,remove the eye,fill with epoxy,and drill to the proper size. At that point ya might as well make a larger plate if ya think it's needed.

 

[Frank Acampora]

It NEVER hurts to do something correctly. Remove the bow eye and fill the holes with 5200 or similar material. Then coat the threads of the bow eye. Insert and attach nuts. Wipe off any excess sealer. Since you know there is a leak, the wood reinforcement may be soft. It would be good to make a larger aluminum plate to fir under the small stainless internal one. It may be a bit of overkill but I have a degree of OCD. However, with use, the wood does tend to crush a bit, the bow eye tends to move a bit and the seal breaks, so overkill is good.

Externally, the existing plate is OK because it is bearing against gelcoat and fiberglass. The bow eye itself is probably good to winch on a boat twice its size.

 

[DDM02]

Ok. Thanks for the advice guys. I already removed it. Holes seem to be fine. I will make a bigger back plate just in case and then seal it. Can't be that hard.

 

[Woodonglass]

I agree with Frank. I'd be checking the structure on the inside of the boat to ensure it's good and solid. Knowing how anal I am, I'd prolly drill the holes oversized and fill with PB, and then come back and re-drill to the proper diameter and then coat with 4200 or 5200 and install the eye with as thick and big of a backer plate as I could possibly get in there. But, I AM just an Old Dumb Okie so there is THAT to consider!!!!:faint2: