BOW EYE

[dthorton]

Could someone tell me the correct way to determine where to drill for the bow eye placement, I am building the glen l little hunk the plans do not specify. thanks

[N. Scheuer]

Good question, dthorton. I need to install a bow eye (U-bolt, actuallu) in the bow transom of a Chesapeake Light Craft Eastport Pram. I had planned to install it in the center, just above the bow seat.

However, a couple of friends over on the Trailer Sailer Bulletin Board (TSBB) suggest that a pair of eyes for securing a bridle would be much more satisfactory.

Not wanting to drill holes all over the bow experimenting, I'd like to get it right the first time.

Moby Nick

[Hwyl]

If you are going to use it as a tender, and tow it behind the big boat, then the answer is; low down. As a tie up painter it does not really matter.

[mmd]

I agree with Hwyl, but would like to add:

If trailering, it should be at the height of the winch when on the trailer.

[eastern270]

also keep in mind that most trailer winches have room for adjustment.

[NormMessinger]

Originally posted by mmd:
I agree with Hwyl, but would like to add:

If trailering, it should be at the height of the winch when on the trailer.Ah, but if the crane on the trailer is like mine it is adjustable over a range of several inches.

[capt jake]

Also consider the angle that the boat will be at compared to the trailer (while in the water) when loading and unloading. :eek: I have had to modify my winch location two times. smile.gif

[whb]

Re trailer winch height.

I suspect you want the bow eye just a tad below (say 1/2") the height of the winch. That way it keeps the front of the boat down on the trailer.

Howard

[capt jake]

I suspect you want the bow eye just a tad below (say 1/2") the height of the winch. That way it keeps the front of the boat down on the trailer.
I agree as I originally placed the eye higher than the winch; to pull the bow down onto the trailer. This made it nearly impossible to pull the boat onto the trailer (the last 4-6 inches). I have since raised the winch to compensate a bit.

[N. Scheuer]

So what are the advantages of towing the dink with a bridle instead of a single line?

Trailer winch considerations are not part of the picture for us, as our pram will be transported on a rack atop the truck.

I can see how a bridle might have a slight advantage for turning the dinghy back in-line with the mother vessel after yawing. However, the rocker in the bottom of the CLC Easport is pronounced, and the boat weighs only 55-lbs, so it can be turned by a single tow line temporarily secrued to the handle cutout in the top center of the bow transom with just the slightest tug of the hand.

Thanks, Moby Nick

[htom]

You have two lines to break to lose the dinghy, for a start! Also, with some dinghys you can "park" the dinghy off to one side or the other by varying the lengths of the two lines.

Putting the towing eye just above the waterline reduces some of the stress on the stem, and for those dinghys that line to bury their noses it tends to counter that.

[Hwyl]

Nick, for this dinghy, I would put a towing eye close to where the bow transom meets the bottom plank (keel), but for towing, I'd have a safety line tied to the handle you mentioned (kept just slack). Then if the boat does flip, you have a handy line for pulling it upright.

This boat is so light however, i would consider towing it really short, so the bow is lifted up to the mother ship (you see people doing it with inflatables).

[ 01-01-2005, 05:09 PM: Message edited by: Hwyl ]

[JimD]

You can see where I put mine on a glen-l utility. Ol' Betsy doesn't seem to have suffered much on account of it yet.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid152/pe93751e015dc9c4b0154c9522198b751/f5ab09b2.jpg

[TGP]

Looks to me that it should go right above the waterline. Put a strip of half round bronze or stainless on the backside of the stem to give it extra strength. You won't be sorry.

http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard2/pic227i.jpg

In this photo, if you look closely, it appears to be located about halfway between the top and bottom of the stem.

http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard2/pic227k.jpg

Hope this helps.

BTW, this boat could hardly be classified as a "dinghy."
:D

http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard8/pic457d.jpg

[ 01-01-2005, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: TGP ]

[dthorton]

Thanks for all the info, I will measure my trailer and try to make a decision.

[TGP]

Originally posted by dthorton:
Thanks for all the info, I will measure my trailer and try to make a decision.Spectacular idea! :D Be sure you use lotsa goop in the hole to prevent rot.

Where are you in Middle Tennessee? I'm over here on the banks of the Ol Muddy. :D

I really like the looks of Little Hunk. Can you post some pics of yours?

[ 01-03-2005, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: TGP ]