Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Change bow eye for towing eye?

Posted by GFC on 04/01/15 - 9:49 AM
#16

I called BW a few days ago and posed my questions to their Customer Service people. What I learned was that the bow eye on my Whaler is sufficient for towing under normal circumstances but if I wanted to be "extra certain" I should install two cleats near the bow.

He directed me to their website that showed where the reinforced areas are. I already had printed that and was familiar with those. To specifically locate the perimeters of the phenolic pieces I was going to drill into I used a stud finder and it worked like a charm.

I now have the cleats and am going to drill and mount those in the next day or two.

I also ordered a towing bridle setup from Top Knot. http://www.mooringlines.com/ I have a bridle that attaches to the tow boat and is fitted with a thimble at the center where the tow line will attach. I ordered two tow lines--one 100' long an one 50' long. They have a stainless snap at both ends. I also ordered a 6' long bridle that will attach to the bow tow eye on the Whaler. That will be somewhat permanently there so I don't have to get under the Whaler all the time to attach the tow line to it. That 6' long piece has a thimble at the end where the tow line will attach and a stainless snap at the end where it attaches to the boat.

Once the bow cleats are in place and I know the distance from the cleats to the thimble at the end of the 6' long piece I'll order a bridle that will attach to both cleats and pass through the thimble.

I still haven't figured out how to post pics on here so I'll post them on Photobucket and just put the links in as I work on this more.

Edited by GFC on 04/01/15 - 9:51 AM