24 Offshore Winch Hook Loose

[Tsmith22]

The winch u bolt on my 24 offshore is starting to come loose. Has anyone ever done this project? It is inaccessible and would require quite a bit of cutting that I don’t want to do. I can install a new one in an accessible location, seal up the old one good with epoxy, but it would be above the roller.

 

[DennisG01]

It's actually rather easy to access. I did it on my own Offshore.

You NEED to check the condition of the bracket that connects the bow eye to the lifting cleat on the deck. DO NOT wait to do this. Do this before you trailer again!

 

[Tsmith22]

It's actually rather easy to access. I did it on my own Offshore.

You NEED to check the condition of the bracket that connects the bow eye to the lifting cleat on the deck. DO NOT wait to do this. Do this before you trailer again!

how did you access it on yours. Through the cabin I would have to do some serious cutting and there’s no locker access up top

 

[Ekea]

where is your anchor line stored? mine was easily accessed in the anchor locker.

 

[DennisG01]

where is your anchor line stored? mine was easily accessed in the anchor locker.

The Offshore does not have an anchor locker - at least not in the early years. I'm not sure if anything was changed later in the production years.

Well, it does have a tiny little locker - but it's only accessed through the cabin and it's not big enough to actually be used.

 

[DennisG01]

how did you access it on yours. Through the cabin I would have to do some serious cutting and there’s no locker access up top

It's been a while, but... I either went through the small access hole that is in that forward bulkhead in the cabin or.... more then likely, I probably just removed the entire bulkhead.

Thinking about this... I'm pretty sure I just removed the bulkhead since it would have only took a few minutes.

 

[Tsmith22]

It's been a while, but... I either went through the small access hole that is in that forward bulkhead in the cabin or.... more then likely, I probably just removed the entire bulkhead.

Thinking about this... I'm pretty sure I just removed the bulkhead since it would have only took a few minutes.

So i removed the bulkhead, didnt realize that it was that easy, and got access to the bracket, or whats left of it. Im going to have to do some repair work to the fiberglass down there. Do you have any idea where you sourced the bracket? I called Grady and they don't have any information on this. Its toast. I cant even tell what shape its in. I had this boat delivered from Florida last fall. Not sure how it made it

 

[DennisG01]

Yup - Grady made that piece out of plain steel. Mine is an '82, but I'm "pretty sure" that even in 1982, Grady was aware that plain steel would..... Rust and corrode!!!

I took accurate measurements, along with what was left, and went to a local metalworks shop and had them make me a new piece out of stainless. Check out the weld quality!

 

[Tsmith22]

Yup - Grady made that piece out of plain steel. Mine is an '82, but I'm "pretty sure" that even in 1982, Grady was aware that plain steel would..... Rust and corrode!!!

I took accurate measurements, along with what was left, and went to a local metalworks shop and had them make me a new piece out of stainless. Check out the weld quality!

View attachment 38820

View attachment 38819

Here’s what’s left of mine. Yikes

 

[DennisG01]

Interesting that yours looks differently shaped than mine. Do you not have the rod connecting to the deck cleat/lifting eye? What model year?

 

[Tsmith22]

Interesting that yours looks differently shaped than mine. Do you not have the rod connecting to the deck cleat/lifting eye? What model year?

Yeah I thought the same. Yes I do have the rod that connects to the cleat. Mine is a 87 240 pro

 

[DennisG01]

Yeah I thought the same. Yes I do have the rod that connects to the cleat. Mine is a 87 240 pro

Strange, but, oh well!

 

[DennisG01]

So, if you don't use the top cleat to lift the boat - which is fine since you always use the bow eye - you could do without this piece.

Reinforce the top deck sufficiently and reuse the (or partial) threaded rod.

The bow keel doesn't really need any reinforcing but you can add some goop, a piece of HDPE cut to match the V on one side and then an SS backer plate.

If the spacer block needs to be thicker, you can double up. PVC board can be cemented together... you can use plywood and epoxy, too.

 

[Tsmith22]

So, if you don't use the top cleat to lift the boat - which is fine since you always use the bow eye - you could do without this piece.

Reinforce the top deck sufficiently and reuse the (or partial) threaded rod.

The bow keel doesn't really need any reinforcing but you can add some goop, a piece of HDPE cut to match the V on one side and then an SS backer plate.

If the spacer block needs to be thicker, you can double up. PVC board can be cemented together... you can use plywood and epoxy, too.

I actually have someone who can make this bracket for me. First project on this boat was to pull the transom cap to inspect and repair a small amount of rot where the upper motor mounts were for the original 140 Johnson's that were on this boat. I then had a heavy duty SS cap built to add some support before mounting up the new motors (twin 150 verados).

This boat wont ever be lifted. No dry docking here in the NW so really i could just replace with a bow eye and some reinforcement on the inside. Ill have to think about this