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Anyone know where I can find one or have one fabricated? I'd like to change my original one out on my 1984 Montauk.

http://media.channelblade.com/electro...609589.jpg

Maybe any other suggestions on something similar?

Thanks

(EDIT: please follow guideline #1 at the top of this page and use the full 4 digit year)

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Your photo is showing the optional towing eye factory option available on new models. Do not believe the eye hardware is sold as a stand alone part.

What is wrong with the existing?

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Nothing is wrong with the existing, per se. I've fixed it in the past when I bought the boat and reinforced it with a thick 316 steel washer on the other side. But, it does have a little chipping in the gelcoat from the last time it was loose.

I like the look and sturdiness of the other one. The D style eye was a poor design, IMO. I've seen a few whalers that were sold that had those bow eyes, but have not been able to source them or anything similar.

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Contact any Boston Whaler dealer and see if it is available.

It is an option part on most Montauk 150, 170, 190, and 210 models.

Tell us what you find and give us the part number and we will post it here for anyone else that wants to buy one.

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I called up a dealer and he checked with BW. I did not get the part number but the dang "kit" is $2,242! He did give me a lead on a fabricator in Florida that I'm going to look into but they appear to be for larger boats and will also cost a considerable amount. I may need to research a fabricator.

Yikes!

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$2,242 for a bow eye hardware kit? Yikes is right!

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The factory option has a MSRP $1371 on a new 2018 Montauk and is more than just the hardware. I recall reading there is additional reinforcement in the bow during fabrication.

I suppose if you wanted more beef, you could install the more modern two thread bow eye with a chafe and backing plates. Either way. Lots of $.

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The item he linked to above is actually a special towing eye option, to allow a Whaler used as a tender to be towed at high speed by a mothership. There is special reinforecement and hardware involved. It is way overkill for someone who is just trailering.

That said, the price still merits a "yikes"!

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A few comments about the bow eyelet on a Boston Whaler Montauk 17:

The eyelet does not come loose from normal use.
You cannot "reinforce" the eyelet by installing a stainless washer.
There is no option upgrade to the eyelet installed on a Montauk 17.

The most common cause of damage to the gelcoat surrounding the exterior eyelet is over-tightening the trailer winch strap and leaving it tight while the boat is stored on the trailer.

The most common cause of damage to and/or bending of the exterior bow eyelet stud is over-tightening of the trailer winch strap and leaving it tight while the boat is stored on the trailer.

A common complaint about the bow exterior eyelet on the Boston Whaler Montauk 17 and other Boston Whaler boats with the same size exterior eyelet is that a winch strap hook will not fasten easily to the eyelet.

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Good points. BUT, I would like to say that I do believe a stainless washer assists to spread the load over the gel coat on the other side, more so than the original interior lifting eye (or whatever it's called). Not the strap side, that's just silly. The initial issue was that the previous owner did not have the winch post set up right and was pulling down at an incorrect angle. That's what caused the issue. This issue has been remedied but for cosmetic and long term reasons, I would like the surrounding steel plate.

When I fix a problem, I like to over engineer so I don't need to worry about it again.