Eye Bolts

[High C]

I'm having a hard time locating the long eyebolts called for in the Weekender plans. Jamestown doesn't have them. Anybody know another vendor?

Thanks

[capt jake]

In galvanized you shouldn't have a problem. If you are looking for SS, well there is a problem. In one location I used a ss eyebolt with a coupling nut (SS) and then another ss bolt into that to get the length.

They are a long nut, like the ones used on all-thread.

[High C]

I thought of that idea Jake, but I'd have to drill the hole oversive to allow room for the nut. I'm also trying to figure out something with a threaded rod, hmmm And I am having a hard time finding the long eyes, even in galvanized.

[Robert Cox]

Try the link below. This is where I got all my stainless hardware. Good prices and huge selection. They have eye bolts up to 18 inches long.

http://bosunsupplies.com

Bob 8)

[capt jake]

I had to hunt for the long galvanized eye that I used for the bow eye. I think it was either 10 or 12", Just barely long enough to go clear through the keel.

I wanted SS for the club foot eye. That is the one I had to use the long nut on. I just sealed it with 4200.

Weird thing about SS, the longer the bolt, the larger the eye becomes. In galvanized, they stay the same.

[Phil Gowans]

One of the best places for ss I've found is Suncor Stainless although I have had good luck with ACE hardware too. That way you don't have the freight. My favorite ACE place stopped carrying most of their hardware, but I've found some others that do keep a good stock.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Drilling a portion of the hole oversized to fit in a coupler isn't such a bad thing at all. You can set the coupler in epoxy and coat the threaded shaft of the eyebolt with vaseline and pour thin epoxy around it. Once set it forms a solidly sealed hole thru the area. No danger of moisture getting into wood fiber along the hole. That holds the coupler solidly in place and allows you to remove the eye if necessary.

[High C]

Ooh, I like that idea Barry. The vendors mentioned above do have some great stuff, but still don't have the 3/8 x 9" eyebolt that holds the bowsprit to the stem.

Your idea sounds good, and if I don't find what I need I'll probably go that route.

Thanks!

[Barry Pyeatt]

I really like the use of Stainless eye nuts when you need a longer bolt, especially in the larger sizes. The only drawback is the eye nut itself is an expensive item. But often times it is a much more practical way to go.

Where it is going thru wood and essentially closed off to outside exposure and the load isn't too high (such as in this use) you can embed the galvanized threaded rod in epoxy and hide the lower nut by recessing it and then filling over it with epoxy filler and just finish it off. Clean, neat and one less thing to catch a line or clothing on. 8)

Incidentally, the use of a thinned epoxy to fill in holes and dings where you will need to replace a screw or bolt is a very effective means of repair. The fast setting epoxies tend to work very well and add substantial strength to the affected area. :wink:

[Bob Taylor]

I also used a S/S eyenut on a threaded rod on my Vacationer. Expensive but worth it. The eyebolt for the forestay came from Home Depot.

[High C]

Good stuff here guys. I like the eyenut idea. Thanks.

[Robert Cox]

High C, this eyebolt comes in lengths of up to 12 inches long by 3/8"

http://www.bosunsupplies.com/products2.cfm?product=S0319

Bob

[High C]

Thanks Robert. They have a 6", and a 12". To get the 9" I suppose I could cut it down. Another good possibility. Thanks!

[Simon]

I had the same problem over here in Perth. I ended up buying a length of stainless steel allthread and I also found I could buy the stainless 'eye' part which I screwed on to a point and the put a tack weld on the top to stop it from unscrewing. Its virtually undistiguishable from a brought eye-bolt - it cost slightly more to make one, but left me with a fair length of leftover allthread, which I'm sure will come in handy later on for something ....

[capt jake]

Simon, you must be able to find those eues for less than I have! 3/8" SS eye here (only place I have found it) was nearly $20! :shock: :shock:

[Simon]

Mmm, I've no idea why that would be - I actually used 12mm (~1/2") diameter rod - which was around $AU15 for about 2 feet and the eyenut was about the same price. A complete eyebolt costs about $AU18 (but is too short). So for $AU30 I got an eybolt of the right length and about a foot or so of allthread.

One thing that 's worth mentioning is that the eyebolt was sourced from a marine shop, but the parts for the made eyebolt were from an industrial fastner shop. Marine shops will stamp "marine" on the same item and double the price. :evil: Seriously though, the eyenut is identical to the one used on the manufactured product. 8)