Bow Eye/UHMW Oarlock Sleeves

Hey, I'm getting near the end of my bottom replacement (one year, later) and I'm looking for a bow eye and the UHMW oar lock sleeves like Randy and Sanderson and Greg at Tatman Boats used to sell.  You can see their bow eye on the boat at the top of the page.

Anybody got a source for either of those?  Or a substitution?

And speaking of which, how do you guys attach your boat to the trailer winch while trailering it?  I had put a stainless eyebolt through my stem at winch height, but maybe that's not neccessary.  Maybe I can just rely on the straps to keep the boat on its trailer at speed.

As for the oarlock sleeves, I've seen the discussion threads on UHMW oar blocks and laminating cutting boards, and all, but I just need the sleeves to fit into my existing wooden blocks.

I left a message on the old Tatman number, but I'm not sure they're checking it.

Thanks for your help.

Jack

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Permalink Reply by Jack Rose on March 24, 2012 at 6:14pm

So, no one has any ideas on the bow eye or the UHMW oarlock inserts?  There must be another source out there, or an alternative solution.  How do you guys winch your boats up onto your trailers?  Just an eye-bolt like I used before?

Jack

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on March 24, 2012 at 7:46pm

I winch with a low mounted "back-saver" eye bolt that I got from the Tatman folks when they were selling them.  Can't say enough good about it.  It appears that Randy looks in on this site frequently; perhaps he'll see this discussion.  Any machine shop could create a duplicate if the Dershams simply can't fill you need.  I do keep the winch strap attached when I trailer, along with a cross strap.

Permalink Reply by Steve Mainini on March 24, 2012 at 8:29pm

I machine my own UHMW oarlock inserts. If you can't find some, I can machine more of them.

Permalink Reply by Jack Rose on March 25, 2012 at 8:51am

Jonathan, thanks.  Yes, that's the one that I'm looking for.  You can barely see it mounted to the bow of the boat at the top of this page.  It used to be available on the Tatman site all the way back to when Greg Tatman owned the company.  I meant to get one when I first built the boat but never got around to it.

I did leave a message on the old Tatman website number but haven't gotten a reply.  Hopefully, Randy is still dropping in, here, from time to time.

And Steve, I may take you up on that.  I've looked around but it looks like most folks have switched over to full UHMW blocks.  My old inserts are usable, but beginning to break down, maybe from age and sun exposure.

Thanks to both of you,


Jack

Permalink Reply by Eric Loudenslager on March 25, 2012 at 2:27pm

UHMW oarlock inserts are available from Willy Boats in Medford, Oregon and probably also from Koffler Boats in Eugene.

No suggestions for a replacement of the "backsaving double eye bolt" used on the Tatman boats.  I use a U shaped bolt about 3 - 4 inches above the stem/bottom.  It does require a little lift to get the bottom up on the roller.

I have a Baker Trailer - I use a safety chain from the trailer to the eye bolt and, after winching the boat up, I disconnect the winch rope, bring it under the main trailer frame and then back up to the eye bolt and then tighten with the winch.  When winched directly to the stem the angle of the line pulls the boat up off the front cross piece the boat sits on.  When running the winch rope around the trailer frame it changes the angle and pulls the boat down.  I use a strap across the back of the boat.

A boat will sustain more damage and material fatigue from improper trailering on bumpy roads than from hitting stuff on the river.

Permalink Reply by Jack Rose on March 28, 2012 at 9:25pm

Eric, thanks.  That makes perfect sense about looping the winch rope under the trailer frame.  And it solves my desire to place the eye lower to help get it up on the trailer.  Wish I'd thought of that.

And thanks for the lead on the oarlock inserts.

I'm hoping to get this boat back in the water next week, one month later than I had hoped, which is about nine months later than I had originally planned.

Jack

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 28, 2012 at 10:20pm

Welcome to the club! I am only about two years past my hoped for date. Next scheduled completion date is April 15.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Kevin C. on March 29, 2012 at 8:01am

the lower you put your eyebolt(or whatever) the easier it will be for the bowstem to roll up on the roller.Each winch is different depending on who made the trailer but should not determine where the "eyebolt" goes.Your boat should rest naturally on the front bunk and rear roller,if it doesnt your winch post or the bunks may be situated in the wrong place to fit your boat properly.if you pull too much on the winch it will lift the front of the boat up off the front bunk so you need to allow the winch line to loosen and allow the boat to rest properly.

Permalink Reply by Jack Rose on April 1, 2012 at 1:08pm

Thanks Kevin.  Before, I had mounted the eye bolt on the bow of my boat up level with the winch, but as you noted, it's effect in pulling the boat up out of the water was to drive it down into the rear bunk.

Also, I was afraid to mount it lower for fear that it would hit a rock and do some damage to the eye bolt or even worse, the stem.  That's why I liked the idea of Randy Dersham's back saver thing as it seemed pretty substantial.  Alas, those must no longer be available.

I'll probably go with a stainless U-bolt mounted low with a corresponding U-bolt mounted low on the trailer like you have, either that or just loop the winch line under a trailer frame member to hold the boat down.

Thanks, again.

Jack

Permalink Reply by JAY STRUGNELL on April 1, 2012 at 4:03pm

England marine supply in Crecent city has the aluminum cast two hole eye for like 5$; You would need the to file it a little, then drill and tapp two 5/16 or 1/4" holes,add stainless bolts or allthread through the stem and presto. Its not that difficult compared to other boat building operations.

Permalink Reply by Jack Rose on April 9, 2012 at 7:42pm

Hey, sorry to bump this one, but I was thinking that now that Randy is back on the grid, he might see it.

Jack

Permalink Reply by Dave Z on April 9, 2012 at 7:57pm

5/8 ID pvc pipe from the hardware store will serve as an oarlock sleeve just fine and it is cheap.

I'm one of those who switched over to full blocks of white colored Delrin. I'll probably never make wood blocks with inserts again.

As for a bow eye, A galvanized-forged eye bolt all the way at the bottom corner is what I have used on five boats, never needed anything more.  If you place it right, it rolls right up on your trailer no sweat. 

Dave

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