I received the correct m bolt from Downwind Marine on the second shipment..  Fortunately, Russ informed us that the otherwise unknown part actually exists. 

The need for such a device was obvious to me (before).  But I didn't yet realize just how important it was to replace the eye...

But what I thought would be a one hour job turned into three hours!  The eye bolt nuts which are between the bow and the cuddy liner are reached through the access plate and there is limited space for your hand in there (bow access).  I ended up removing the access plate to have a bit more room.  This was worsened by my access plate being mounted high- if it was lower the access would be much easier. 

If you are going to do this job invite someone with small hands like Woody over for a "beer".  I had taken a pic of the eyebolts with my phone so knew the nuts were probably too corroded to get a wrench onto (inside of bolt). 

I cut off the eye bolt shank and then realized I needed to cut off the large "button" that rested against the plate.  That was a difficult cut and I used 3 sawzall blades (cutting off).

Fortunately, the new M bolt had the same centers as the original, I just had to drill the third hole but got the angle off so had to do some finesse work so the eye would go in easily.

Once the eye was cut, I popped off the plate with a screwdriver (sawn plate), then punched the bolts in to the inside.  I had first secured them with duct tape that had long tails stuck to the cushions so they wouldn't end up in the bilge when they loosened (old parts) and you can see there was just not very much holding the eye into the boat ( bolt and retaining nut).  I'm very fortunate not to have had a failure when loading onto the trailer- they were held in literally by the threads!  What is really bizarre is the split washers you see just slid off the bolts from the inside because there was nothing holding them on!!!???

The job became extremely difficult because reaching down past my wrist through a small hole into the narrow space that I couldn't see and attempting to start a nut on the eye bolts seemed way beyond my dexterity level.

continued...

Got'er Done!  Hope the back is not to sore.  Last time I was working in the cuddy got a charlie horse from the contortions.  Hate when that happens!

SR

After dropping a nut into the bilge and making a trip to Home Depot for replacements, I glued the next one onto my thumb with putty glue so I could get it to start.  Blue Stick is my new best friend (glued nut)!

I was, of course paranoid about dropping a tool in the bilge so I secured the wrenches and ratchets onto myself via cable ties and twine (secured wrench).  Of course, I dropped the wrench on the first try so was relieved to have the tether. 

Forgot to mention that I applied Quick set 5200 to the eye bolts before inserting into the holes so the area is sealed.

With much perseverance and many trips in and out of the boat, I finally got the M bolt eye secured and it will now comfortably hold all the hooks I need to secure the boat ( job finished)!

This is not something that I wish to repeat very soon!!!

Mark

Bring the tools to Neah and I'll let you do mine there...   :whistle:

It should go much quicker now that you are experienced.  Does working over water bother you???   

Nice job by the way.

StreamFixer

Nice job on the up grade. Odd that steel nuts were used at the factory, I'm worried mine look like your old ones our boats are the same age and model.

Muy interesante.....

Russ, It's a large bucket of tools plus power cords that are required for that job!  Yes, dry land is better, though I had to disassemble the horizontal structure of my winch to access the area with the drill.

TM, it does look like what was left of steel nuts.  I have no idea why the eye has not pulled out on a boat ramp...  If I'd have known I would have been extremely worried especially since I stand next to the winch when pulling the boat out of the water.

It is a big relief to have that job done and to have that problem I didn't even know about resolved.  Thank you, Russ!

SRanger- The trick to working in the cuddy is to remove the cushions which gives a whole lot more space!  For wiring and inspiration, I sit on the porta potty...

  Mark

Mark's pictures are a bit alarming. Knowing the way Arima has thought things out it just seems strange that they would have used regular steel nuts. Looking at whats was left of them there does seem to be some nylok material on the threads. I think those bow eyes usually come from the manufacture with the hardware/nuts on them and a would doubt Arima would even have a supply of non stainless hardware on the factory floor. kind of makes one wonder if they just received a bad batch from the manufacture of the bow eyes?

That's what I'm hoping, because I have to cut the access hole and plan to hold off/pray until next fall to even look at mine.

I wonder though my boat is a 1994. Is it possible I have the access hatch and it's just under the carpet covering that area?

Comp,
If you have an access plate it will be at the very front of your cuddy.  I installed my own, and wish it was a bit lower for this job!!!

You mentioned you wished your access hole was lower. What would you recommend? 4 inches lower than I see in your picture?

For this job, as low as you can go, given the access plate diameter.  My arm would bend just fine going through a hole and then up.  But through a high hole next to the ceiling then down was purely contortionism!  Funny, I'm R handed but my left handled the angle better, but with less dexterity.  Due to the taper of  the cuddy up there, the further down you go the smaller the hole/plate will have to be.
There was not enough depth to fit a 1/4 inch ratchet with the 14mm socket over the bolt at the bottom, so I had to use the wrench for that one- 1/8-1/4 turn per effort, then try to find the nut again!!!
For a while I was seriously considering cutting out some more fiberglass but that was just temporary insanity wanting to relieve me of my frustration... 

Mark

Thanks for excellent instructions and for leading the pack into this area.

Think you will have quite a few followers once visual inspections result in weak knees and vapors.

Woody

With a lot of the stainless steel components coming from China these days, the alloys are always suspect so I'm not ready to blame Arima yet but would expect them to provide a remedy.

No one had been able to access that space so it was from the factory that way.  Also, the eye was sealed with silicone which broke down and water entered the hull at that point.  Still, it's a 22 year old boat that has been in salt water!

Nice job, Mark. And thanks for the heads up. I'm going to check on my bow eye before putting the boat on the mooring this year. My boat doesn't have an access port like you put in. I'll consider placement carefully based on your experience.

If I'd been in your place, I think I would have cut a larger access hole. A cover made of starboard or similar would do the job of covering later. Also, I've found that cutting stainless bolts is actually easier with a conventional hacksaw rather than a sawsall. The power tool creates too much heat and that heat destroys the temper of the blade. A hand push saw stays sharp through out the cut. (If you ever get to do it again.)

How is the quality of that m eye? Is it trustworthy?

Holy cow we better all check our nuts. :biggrin:

Best way to cut is to usea  die grinder with cut off wheel, will cut  the SS like cutting buttter with hot knife.
Jim

Other than a couple of blade changes the sawing was the easy part!

I have no way of evaluating the new m eye, other than it is a regular U bolt with another welded to it.  I REALLY hope it is ok!

I have been giving this a bit of thought and can see where we should REALLY be concerned.

During a discussion on a thread in our murky past (this site or YUKU) I recall a comment having been made that you should be able to lift the boat using the bow-eye and the two stern eyes (what we hook our trailer tie-down straps to on the sponsons). 

Given the condition of the nuts found by Mark, I would be super cautious doing so.  This is especially troublesome given that, until recently, there is no access to the bow eye bolts to allow inspection and there is still none to the rear eyes.

Perhaps this should be discussed with Don and Jon at Defiance???

StreamFixer

Mark

Thanks for the referals.  Your comments on my "small" (non beefy, hammy, thick, course, etc.) hands has gotten me a lot of pms.  Currently booked until August 13. Liked your electrical tape (Duck Tape) trick to keep from dropping bolt halves and I've been a fan of plumbers putty to hold nuts to my fingers.  Your blue stuff (Blue Stick) is a great alternative. Like wise the tether to your wrench ... I've often slipped a couple of surgeon's knots of string to bolt haves to retrieve when dropped. Like the tape.

I've visualized Streamfixer or Danno's hands in that space and it ain't pretty.

Woody

"I've visualized Streamfixer or Danno's hands in that space and it ain't pretty. "

Shoot - I  visualized them stuffed forward in the cuddy.......   

Visualize a couple of plumbers ... I'm blinded!!!!!!

Woody

Wait, wait!  Visualize this:  StreamFixer AND Danno in a cuddy at the same time!   

FWIW- I have never seen Woody or his hands.  I've just heard the stories...

Danno and Russ.... in a SeaChaser cuddy  :hoboy: :hoboy: :hoboy:

Greg