Challenger bow tow eye

[DeepCreek]

I have a 2007 Challenger 180. The dock master where the boat is in the water called me this week and told me the front tow eye that it was tied to the dock from snapped off. It looks like the u-bolt broke clean and there is no hull damage. I have not seen it but will be there Friday. I have two questions:
Can I access the backing plate and nuts for the front u-bolt from under the anchor locker below the front cushion? will I need any special tools. From memory there is just a upolstered well that sit in there where the anchor is stored. I am hoping it can be pulled out and the bolt would be just beneath it.

Secondly, does anyone know the dimensions of the u-bolt? I found the seadoo part online but it is around $40 for what is just a steel u-bolt. No dimensions are given in the description. If I knew the dimensions I could simply buy one from a hardware store for 1/4 that price.

Thanks for the help.

J

 

[tommy1976]

I have a 2007 Challenger 180. The dock master where the boat is in the water called me this week and told me the front tow eye that it was tied to the dock from snapped off. It looks like the u-bolt broke clean and there is no hull damage. I have not seen it but will be there Friday. I have two questions:
Can I access the backing plate and nuts for the front u-bolt from under the anchor locker below the front cushion? will I need any special tools. From memory there is just a upolstered well that sit in there where the anchor is stored. I am hoping it can be pulled out and the bolt would be just beneath it.

Secondly, does anyone know the dimensions of the u-bolt? I found the seadoo part online but it is around $40 for what is just a steel u-bolt. No dimensions are given in the description. If I knew the dimensions I could simply buy one from a hardware store for 1/4 that price.

Thanks for the help.

J

I think the bolt's seadoo sells are stainless so they don't rust. Most of the stuff you will buy at the hardware store will rust very quickly in this type of environment

 

[DeepCreek]

I thought of that but I found that marine supply stores sell general bow eyes for around $8.
Anyone know about the access in the front of the boat?
This would really help.

 

[DeepCreek]

Help

Help.....especially about the front access on a challenger. I really want to get the boat on the water tomorrow.
Thanks