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Marine Hardware - Bow & Stern Eyes
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Bow & Stern Eyes Built for Real Loads — Stainless Steel and Titanium Hardware for Confident Trailering and Towing
Bow and stern eyes are among the most load-bearing pieces of hardware on any boat, and choosing the right ones means matching material, bolt diameter, and shank length to your hull and how you use it. This collection brings together marine-grade bow eyes and stern eyes from trusted brands — Whitecap, Sea-Dog, and Ti-Tackle — in a range of sizes suited to everything from lightweight aluminum fishing boats to heavier fiberglass hulls. Whether you're replacing worn hardware before the season or outfitting a new build, you'll find the right fit here.
Why the Right Bow or Stern Eye Makes a Difference on the Water
- Secure trailering, every launch: a properly sized bow eye gives your winch strap a fixed, reliable anchor point so your boat stays centered and stable on the trailer during transport.
- Corrosion resistance where it counts: machined 304 stainless steel eyes — like the Sea-Dog machined stainless bow eye — resist saltwater and brackish conditions that eat through lesser hardware over time.
- Upgrade to titanium for maximum strength-to-weight: Ti-Tackle titanium D-ring bow and transom eyes are ideal for performance boats or serious offshore anglers who won't compromise on hardware durability.
- Stern tie-up and dock anchoring: a dedicated stern eye gives you a clean, low-profile attachment point for dock lines, keeping your hull off the cleats and reducing chafe.
- Replacing a bent or cracked eye after a hard launch: the Whitecap 1/2" bow eye and Whitecap stern eye are straightforward swaps for standard factory hardware on many production boats.
How to Choose the Right Size Bow or Stern Eye for Your Boat
Two measurements matter most: bolt diameter (typically 3/8", 7/16", or 1/2") and shank length, which determines how far the eye reaches through your hull material. A longer shank is necessary on thicker transoms or reinforced bow sections; a shorter shank suits lighter hulls where over-penetration would be an issue.
For smaller aluminum or fiberglass boats, a compact 3/8" x 2-1/2" bow eye is often the right call. Larger or heavier vessels generally call for a 1/2" diameter bolt and a longer shank — see the Sea-Dog stainless steel bow eye in 3/8" x 4-1/4" as a good example of extended-reach hardware. When in doubt, consult your boat manufacturer's specifications or a qualified marine technician to confirm the correct bolt pattern and backing plate requirements for your hull.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marine Hardware - Bow & Stern Eyes
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Bow and stern eyes are threaded marine hardware fittings mounted to the front and rear of a boat to provide secure attachment points for towing, mooring, and tie-down straps. Bow eyes are installed at the bow for trailer winch hooks, while stern eyes anchor the rear of the vessel during trailering or docking.
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Bow and stern eyes are designed for boat owners who trailer, moor, or tow their vessels and need reliable, permanent attachment points. Anyone launching or retrieving a boat from a trailer, tying off at a dock, or securing a vessel during transport will benefit from properly installed bow and stern eyes.
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Install a bow eye by drilling a hole through the hull at the bow, inserting the threaded shank, and securing it from the inside with a backing plate, washer, and nut to distribute load. Always use a marine-grade sealant around the hole to prevent water intrusion, and torque the nut firmly to ensure the fitting does not loosen over time.
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The right bow eye size depends on your boat's hull thickness and the load rating required for your vessel's weight. Bow eyes are commonly available in shank diameters of 3/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and 1/2 inch, with varying shank lengths to accommodate different hull thicknesses — always match the shank length to your hull depth for a secure fit.
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A bow eye is a marine hardware fitting mounted at the front of a boat, primarily used for trailer winch attachment and towing, while a stern eye is mounted at the rear transom and is used for securing the back of the boat during trailering or mooring. Both serve as load-bearing anchor points but are positioned and used differently.
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Bow and stern eyes for marine use are commonly made from stainless steel or titanium, both of which resist corrosion in saltwater and freshwater environments. Machined 304 stainless steel is a popular choice for durability and strength, while titanium options offer an exceptionally lightweight and corrosion-resistant alternative for performance-focused boaters.
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Yes, stainless steel bow eyes are safe for saltwater use when made from marine-grade stainless steel, which is formulated to resist rust and corrosion in harsh marine environments. Regular rinsing with fresh water after saltwater exposure and periodic inspection for signs of crevice corrosion will help extend the life of the fitting.
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Care for bow and stern eyes by rinsing them with fresh water after every saltwater outing to remove salt deposits and prevent corrosion. Periodically inspect the fittings for signs of rust, cracking, or loosening, and re-apply marine sealant around the base if any gaps appear to keep the hull watertight.
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Yes, a bow eye can be used as a mooring point for tying off a boat to a dock or buoy, provided the fitting is properly installed with a backing plate and rated for the load. For heavy-duty or permanent mooring applications, always verify that the bow eye's load rating is appropriate for your vessel's size and weight.
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Titanium bow and stern eyes offer superior corrosion resistance and a significantly lighter weight compared to stainless steel bow and stern eyes, making them a preferred choice for performance boaters and anglers who want to minimize hardware weight. Stainless steel options are more widely available and typically more affordable, while titanium fittings are considered a premium upgrade.