Phantman says:..
Well, since things are slow here, but my "to do" boat project list
keeps growing, seems like a good time to ask a seemingly dumb
question.
The boat is a fiberglass Rhodes Mariner sailboat, about 1600 lbs. The
original bow eye is a one bolt arrangement, about 3"-4" long, and has
become wiggly. The back up material is wood and seems solid. . I'd
like to replace the original one bolt bow eye with a U bolt type.
So I have one hole already drilled. And I need a second hole that
parallels the first one exactly. Seems simple enough, but I'm thinkin'
that drilling into a surface that's curved in every direction and
keeping the new hole lined up with the original hole for the entire 3"
depth..... well..... it looks easier said than done.
Does anyone here have a handy dandy trick or tip on how to do this
right with hand tools?
Rick

On Thu, 9 Sep 2010,Tosk wrote:
Make a guide block and glue it on, or otherwise attach...
I would take a flat block of maybe 2X4 and drill a hole in it the
diameter of the ubolt and glue or otherwise attach the block to the bow
and use the guide hole to drill your hole. You could notch the back of
the block with a couple of opposing 45 degree slices to take out a
wedge, to help keep it in place while you attach it. I am sure you could
also use clamps if you have long pipe clamps or similar. Either way, use
a guide block, maybe someone here has a better way of setting it up...

I might get two u bolts and cut one side of one short to aid in lining
up the block or make a jig with a dowel and a block to hold the block in
place while you attach it.

Great!
I think I can take it from there :-)
Thanks :-)
Rick