boweye repair

[Kivalo]

Hello again everyone,
My 260's boweye has come loose. I looked under the V-berth cushions and couldn't find where to reach the boweye INSIDE the hull. Could anyone point in me the right direction?

Also, under the cushions in the V-Berth there is an indentation formed into the cabin, any idea what this is for?

Thanks in advance,
Brad

s/v Kivalo

 

[John23883]

bow eye

The bow eye in my 26 is accessed by removing the small plastic piece at the foot of the v-berth. I found that Hunter had used a small piece of wood as a backing plate. That doesn't work. I found a piece of 1 1/2 inch pipe fits the bow perfectly in mine, so that's what I did. See the picture. As for the indentation, it is for the cockpit table that 260 owners didn't get. It's a nice little table and I use the leg which also fit in there to hold the tiller still. See picture.

 

[Kivalo]

John,
First, thanks for the response. Second, my 260's acces hatch to the very forward of the Vberth, was far to small for me to get my head into but I was able to feel around. I saw(felt) no evidence of any wood being used as a backer. The space is very tight and I have two thru-hull's and some electrical wire as well the water fill line in the way. I'm sure I have room for a substantial backer but it would difficult at best to install. In your opinion or anyone else's that feels like chiming in, is this necessary or just a precaution?

 

[John23883]

bow eye

I'm guessing the 26 opening is the same size, if you get your head in there, you won't get it out! My feeling was that I put more pressure on the bow eye than anything else so I wanted it sturdy. I pulled the bow eye, drilled the holes in the pipe to match and installed it. It was a pain but it has been 5 years and it's as tight as the day I installed it.

 

[Kivalo]

Thanks John.
Brad