Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

So the tow/trailering eye on the keel of my 1970 20'SF has pulled out. Have any of you experienced this? What is the best way to access the backside of it?

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

you cant get to it from the anchor locker opening??

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

No access through anchor locker...I think I'm going to have to cut a check plate into the anchor locker

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

What year is it? I can't think of a 20SF that you can't get to the backside of the bow eye. ?? Maybe it has been modified?

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

pics might help.
i know on my 73 its no poblem to get to.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

Should be a hole in the anchor locker just big enough to get your fist into to reach the backside of where the trailering eye mounts.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

79' 18SF I have to take a better look but I am sure I cant reach through to mine either

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

I looked through some of the pics I have of the boat and this is the best shot I have of the anchor locker...
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/a...chorlocker.jpg
I will try and get a better photo this afternoon. I was wondering if I would be best off going through the bottom of the anchor locker or through the front of the small hatch in the front deck? Based on everyone's responses it sounds like some of the tow eyes were installed prior to liner being set in the boat and others were after.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

I had to replace my eye on my 69- 20 and did it through a hole in the bottom of the anchor locker. The access hole was already there and covered with ply. The eye and the bow lifting ring used the same connection points. I think you will need more working room than a small access hatch will allow you. The eye was backed with wood glassed into the bow at time of manufacture. There was rot in my wood and I cut it all out and built up a thick section of glass and epoxy- no wood. I think if you measure on the outside of the bow to the eye and transfer that measurement to the inside you will see where your access point needs to be cut. Give yourself some working room when you cut the locker floor and glass it back in place after the repair.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

Wow my 74' has about 2x the room in that forward box. It definitely is deeper, that looks like its level with the deck.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

You might not be willing to go this route but how about just putting it in there where you can see, above the floor of the anchor locker...not perfect, maybe a little high...but is anyone going to care? Probably not. Then fill the old holes with epoxy...done.

I went through the same thing...the problem is you have to cut a big whole, because of the angle the eye under the anchor locker floor...you'll see when you get in there.

:mad:

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

My boat came to me with two bow eyes; the original that was loose, and a second one accessible from the anchor locker. I had the original removed when my boat was re-gelled, leaving just the higher one.

I like the higher one better since it makes it easier to reach down from the bow to connect/disconnect the winch strap.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

Thank you all for your feed back! I spent some time yesterday messing around with the boat and actually removed the eye completely...come to find out, the U-bolt legs sheared off. It's tough to say if the backing is actually rotted out or if the Stainless has simply become brittle over the years like every other stainless screw in the boat!

This boat has been kept in a warehouse since new in 1970 and very well cared for. I've experienced various cases where screws are into solid material and the heads just pop off while running around in the boat (for example on ALL of my hatches). I'm beginning to wonder if the fix will be as easy as a removal of the inside half of the trailering eye and reinstallation and sealing of a new one through an inspection plate?

Will post photos of what I find.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

I was able to get mine out easily as well...after years and years the saltwater had eaten each of the shanks nearly clean through...then the nuts rusted almost completely off the back. Getting it out was easy. :)

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

The repair is complete! I cut a 4" hole for a check plate in the bottom of the anchor well. The backside of the keel is in perfect shape and thankfully there were no signs of moisture or rot. Here are some better pics for future reference, enjoy!

http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/a...ess/pic013.jpg
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/a...ess/pic014.jpg
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/a...ess/pic015.jpg

After repair was complete...Play Time!
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/a...ess/pic027.jpg

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

That is known as crevice corrosion. It's caused by lack of ventilation. You may want to keep that ventilated somehow - maybe using a pvc or stainless drain grate or something instead of a inspection plate. Good luck.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

Where are you anchored up at? Haulover or south?

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

thats probably by elliot key??
maybe some day ill see u out there if i ever get back from the keys.

Re: Trailering eye on front keel of 20SF
 

Sands Cut...if the sun is out, I will be there!