Bow support bar

[cliffpaul2]

In the nose of my V-20, I have a rusty support bar that connects the back of the bow eye to the bottom of the bow cleat that is on the top of the cabin. It is made with 1/2 inch all-thread and is not stainless or even galvanized metal. It has leaked and left a small mess inside. Mostly, the boat just needs to be dried out, but I'm going to have to replace all of the attached hardware (when I can figure out how to take it all apart. My questions are:

Is this support necessary?
Is it common for these boats?
Or was it a custom job done by a previous owner?

I've attached links to a couple of pictures. They were taken from the cabin door looking forward towards the nose of the boat. Thanks in advance.

Cliff

http://home.earthlink.net/~cliffp523/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/supportbar.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~cliffp523/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/supportbarcloseup.jpg

[Mac_Attack]

My V20 is a 1990 and has no such tie. *The bend in it makes me believe it wasn't for support but maybe some sort of grounding mat, but why steel? *Just a guess. *Bill Mc ;D

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, I'd find a new home in the dump for that guy...pretty sure it isn't factory...post if you ever figure out what that thing is...curious :D

Wonder if prior owner lifted the boat by the top cleat and put that in for extra support... ???

[shicks007]

My 76' doesn't have it.

[macojoe]

Mine had the same thing when I got it!!
Just snap that thing out of there and trash it!! Mine was screwed into the bottom of the bow cleat.
I junked both and replaced.

[jaysea]

my 85 has that rod i think its for raising the boat up on a dabit ,it shure makes that cleet stronger an that cleet bolts to the upper deck an takes the flex out

[bigshrimpin]

Like Jaysea's said it's for a lifting eye or cleat.

http://www.discount-marine-supply.com/DMS_SEACHOICE_BOW_STERN_EYE.htm

http://www.discount-marine-supply.com/images/DMS_SE86.jpg

or

http://www.acconmarine.com/products.asp?cat=3&subcat=6&view=PROD

http://www.acconmarine.com/products/203-6-CA.jpg

[CT_V-20]

BS, no wonder you're "God" on this page, I never would have guessed that in a million years. And not only did you know this, you actually found a modern day example! I thought bow eyes were for towing and winching, NEVER for lifting.

Could you do my job for me too so I can spend more time working on my boat and with my kids?

[bigshrimpin]

Thanks CT . . . The reality is that I'm really suffering from a serious boat/fishing addiction. My head is fixated on boats/fishing 24x7 and automatically absorbs moderately useful information like lifting cleats. It's a curse and a blessing. ;D