Bow eye pulled through

**Old_Skool** · 10-23-2021, 07:06 PM

I just picked up an Action 17, and while Frank Molé was towing it up to ME from MO the bow eye pulled through. He got it locked down and made the delivery without further incident. Today I got up underneath the bow....... its super tight and there's no way I can reach the nuts, plus there was too much damage from pull through. I ended up cutting the eye off with a 4.5" grinder and am trying to figure out how to effect a repair. Besides cutting a hole in the deck, I'm at a loss. Anyone have a magic bullet for me?

**David - WI** · 10-23-2021, 07:40 PM

Can you go down through the hole for the bow light... I tightened the one on my Checkmate that way.

Edit: different thought.

**Old_Skool** · 10-23-2021, 07:50 PM

I thought about that and will try tomorrow. Of course I need to order a new eye, but I really need to see what is going on inside the hull. I'll see what the bow light gives me for access and go from there.

**LakeFever** · 10-24-2021, 04:34 AM

Might have to enlist a tiny helper or cut a hole in the deck, do the repair, then patch the deck and gel/cut/buff

**mrichartz** · 10-24-2021, 11:36 AM

Just be careful when placing the ad for help.. wording is everything.

**Old_Skool** · 10-24-2021, 12:27 PM

Lmfao!!

**Dave S** · 10-26-2021, 12:16 AM

I was towing my Vector and took a curve too fast and the bow eye snapped.....rusted out. Got a new stainless U bolt type and streached out.......long extension and socket.

**LakeFever** · 10-26-2021, 03:42 AM

I couldn’t reach the one on my vking. The hull im restoring im going to install it before I put the cap back on. I’ll have to gel and cut/buff the bow eye area first. Pita

**NZ Sidewinder** · 10-27-2021, 02:45 AM

For a Bow eye to pull through there must be some serious issues that need to be addressed in the block that anchors the eye.
The Bow eye might be the Canary in the coal mine.

**Old_Skool** · 10-28-2021, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by NZ Sidewinder

For a Bow eye to pull through there must be some serious issues that need to be addressed in the block that anchors the eye.
The Bow eye might be the Canary in the coal mine.

It really didn't pull through...... but something definitely went wrong inside so that it pulled out at least 1.5". I had to cut it off and push the now, studs/washers/nuts, up into the bow cavity where I could retrieve them.

Removing the bow light revealed a 0.5" hole for wires to pass through so that access point is a no go. Looks like I'll be getting out the 4" hole saw and opening up this can of worms. Ugh!

**cool_change** · 10-28-2021, 12:37 PM

Cut the hole in the bottom. Determine if you can get it with just your wrist inside or your arm from the elbow. Glass the inside then replace the plug. Fill and feather back as needed. No blend or repair on the deck. That’s how I did it and have seen tooling shops use this method also.

**LakeFever** · 10-28-2021, 12:48 PM

Be sure to check the core/stringers/transom out too. As above the canary in the coal mine is a real concern

**Old_Skool** · 10-29-2021, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by cool_change

Cut the hole in the bottom. Determine if you can get it with just your wrist inside or your arm from the elbow. Glass the inside then replace the plug. Fill and feather back as needed. No blend or repair on the deck. That’s how I did it and have seen tooling shops use this method also.

That's an even better idea! Thanks!! I'm fine with the glasswork...... its the paint that I'm not really experienced with, especially blending. At least the hull is black.

**Old_Skool** · 10-29-2021, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by LakeFever

Be sure to check the core/stringers/transom out too. As above the canary in the coal mine is a real concern

The boat is structurally sound. It was rebuilt by AFR with Coosa and Michigan board composites back in '09. I suspect the bow eye block was overlooked when the boat was rebuilt. AFR didn't split the hull/deck when they did the work, but they did glass them together. I'll post up the rebuild thread later today when I get back home.