A25 long time afloat

[realslimshady]

Hi all, time for one of my infrequent posts, looking for people's thoughts.
Exactly three years ago Lydia arrived here in central Portugal and was floated off the trailer into the lake, where she has remained ever since.
There have been no issues with this, apart from the hull could really do with a polish, and there is some green slime below the waterline, but I wondered what people think, or if others have done the same?
And that brings me onto my second query.
She was craned onto the trailer in Gosport, and floated off, and my issue, should the need arise, is that she has no winch eye on the bow and organising a crane with suitable sling gear could be challenging....
So, the winch eye. A suitable size/material U-bolt, two holes about there-ish, plate on the inside.....??
I'm thinking that after three years maybe about time for a bottom inspection, any thoughts/guidance welcome

[WillieC]

1/2” eyebolt with stainless backing plate inside. Fill the voids with glass. You’ll be able to lift the boat straight up with the proper skyhook.

[realslimshady]

1/2” eyebolt with stainless backing plate inside. Fill the voids with glass. You’ll be able to lift the boat straight up with the proper skyhook.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144724024159 ... BM_quN5cNk

??

[WillieC]

I said eyebolt. I meant u-bolt.
Apparently I forgot how to attach a picture, so google 1/2" stainless Bow Eye. U-bolt styles is preferable, I think.

[tribologist]

This is what i made for a friends A25. Its a 3/8” thick plate that goes on top of 1708 and resin and hull and deck putty (stuctural polyester filler)

[realslimshady]

I said eyebolt. I meant u-bolt.
Apparently I forgot how to attach a picture, so google 1/2" stainless Bow Eye. U-bolt styles is preferable, I think.

I did wonder....

[realslimshady]

This is what i made for a friends A25. Its a 3/8” thick plate that goes on top of 1708 and resin and hull and deck putty (stuctural polyester filler)

Perfect, thanks

[realslimshady]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305517212267 ... BMguiIwclk

[realslimshady]

Any chance some kind person could give me an idea of the position of the winch eye?
Perhaps just the dimension measured from the bottom of the deck at the prow?
Cheers

[A251975]

Measured 2 A25’s. 25” & 34 1/2”, both 1/2” U bolt. IMO location is trailer specific; you want the winch cable to pull level or slightly upward. The winches on these trailers were adjusted to get that. If I were installing an eye with no specific trailer in mind, I’d put it at about 30” below rub rail.

[dkirsop]

The eye should be just above the roller on the winch so it doesn't jam or pinch the safety chain or strap hook against the bow. Most trailers allow for some adjustment of the winch height but it should be positioned so the pull is horizontal to the trailer bed as the boat comes onto the trailer. See the photo below.

IMG_3766.jpeg

[realslimshady]

Measured 2 A25’s. 25” & 34 1/2”, both 1/2” U bolt. IMO location is trailer specific; you want the winch cable to pull level or slightly upward. The winches on these trailers were adjusted to get that. If I were installing an eye with no specific trailer in mind, I’d put it at about 30” below rub rail.

Thanks, I'll see how 30" looks this afternoon.
bit of a Catch 22 with putting it where it lines up with the trailer winch....