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GFC: Those of us who own the older Rockland, MA.-manfactured Boston Whalers are probably still scratching their heads, wondering, "what is this about?" "A $1260 opional tow eyelet?" How much better can it be from the original equipment 316L stainless steel bow eyelet? What are the load bearing specifications for the standard eyelet compared to the tow eyelet? The best advice I can give you is to make contact again with Boston Whaler Customer Service and ask them the detailed questions about the differences between the stock bow eyelet you currently have and the one offered as a factory installed option. Only the folks at the BW Edgewater FL factory can tell you if the eyelet will endure your proposed towing conditions. Removal of your existing eyelet will not be difficult to do with the correct hand tools. You will remove the nut located on the interior, and the interior lifting eyelet which is secured to a threaded stud; then remove the eyelet from the exterior side. I suggest you ask BW if the optional tow eyelet can be installed outside the factory. I suspect the answer is no.