Securing Tower Quick Release Bolts

[britboarder]

Does anyone have a neat solution for securing the popular quick release bolts that allow a lot of the tower designs to fold down?
I have to pass under a bridge on the water canal to get to and from my boat slip so I'm constantly having to undo these while on the water - they don't float and it ruins the days boarding when you drop them in the water - also leads to an uncomfortable boat ride if you blame your wife/husband etc for dropping the bolt!

Any suggestions/solutions appreciated

[NautiqueJeff]

Those should be captive knobs. Yours come all the way out?

[britboarder]

On my tower these are bolts with knurled rubber grips that secure the two parts of the tower. The bolt goes through one part of the tower and screws into an insert in the tower leg. To separate you pull the bolt all the way out and then you're left holding the loose bolt - hopefully.

[riderite]

What tower is it?

[boatnfly@att.net]

I had one bolt/knob come out. However it was missing the retaining clip. If you notice, there is a small groove in the bold end just below the threads. Go to Ace hardware or a NAPA get 1/2 inch external retaining rings. You will also need to buy the special plier like tool that is used for opening and placing the rings (the tool is very cheap) try Harbor Frieght tools or NAPA. it looks like a plier with interchangeable jaws to fit different style clips.
Then put the knob thread end in from the bottom. put the clip on the plier and push it on the bolt end from the top. Obviously the top of the tower is folded forward. The ring should snap in place.
That's it!. The rings allow the bold to undo letting you fold the tower, they keep the bolt/knob from falling out from the bottom.
Hope that helps