The eyes have it

When last I went out, the tide was running at Somers Point to the extent that I had to crab sideways into the dock.  Once I cleared the breakwater on either side of the ramps, Spark went from fighting the tide to moving quickly forwards. 

The Docks at Kennedy Park are very nice, a very boat friendly recycled plastic.  The only part you have to worry about are the galvanized metal hoops that secure the dock to the pilings.  As Spark accelerated, she chose the one thing that would hurt her, the metal hoop,  With a resounding clang, we came to a dead halt and I had to worry if I had stove in her bow.

At the time the damage appeared to just be a few scratches and scuffs in the paint.  It was not until I went to get her up the trailer that I found out what had happened.  The bronze bow eye came right out of the bow with no resistance as the threaded part broke just inside the stem.

Which leads me to today,  I finally installed a new bronze bow eye, this one from Buck Algonquin.  It's stud looks about the same size as the one it replaces, but the eye itself was much larger, forcing me to cut the trim that protects the bow to make it fit.  Of course getting up into the bow itself was no picnic, but I got it done and didn't get stuck.

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