lifting eye removal '95ss

[98air]

I've got a custom tower for my '95 super sport which I'm proud of because it fits into my garage! However, to make more room and to not bang the tower onto the bottom 1/2" of the door, I'd like to remove the forward lifting eye...it would make 2 inches more clearance. The problem is I don't seem to be able to get to the bolt / nut due to the floor in the bow. I was thinking that the bow cushions can be removed but I wanted to check with someone who has done this before.
Thanks!

[sperbet]

more pics

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just bought a 95' SS of my own and was hoping you could post some more pics of yours. Mine is bone stock right now so I am trying to look at every SS out there so I can get some more ideas of what I can do with mine.

[wake_fun]

I'm not sure you can move that?

[SGY]

I don't think you can relocate that easily. CC's lifting rings are tied into the structure of the boat. CC boats are the only ski boats that the manufacturer recommends hanging the boat from the rings.

[Hollywood]

Would lifting the tower up a foot or so bring those back legs down enough to clear the garage? Looks like they're at their highest point, so going backards might work out the same as trying to get them more forward. Try that before whipping out the tools.

[j2nh]

Ditto on not relocating the lifting eye. You might not even be able to remove it and get the desired effect. Assuming you could get the "ring" off, I have a feeling that the threaded rod that is built into the main frame of the boat would still stick above the deck. Removing the threaded rod might prove to be an impossible job. Cutting it off would render the lifting eye useless to the next potential owner. Let us know how this turns out.

[j2nh]

Correction. Looked at your photo again. If you could get the "ring" off the rod shoud end below the deck. Rather than relocate it make a cover over the hole and leave the rod loose below the deck. Relocation I think is not going to work due to the tie in to the frame of the boat.

[SGY]

I think some people have put in a recessed lifting ring. Look at Whitechocolate's Air Nautique. I think he has one on his. That would probably solve your problem.

[SGY]

Check out this link to WC's Air Nautique.

http://svtsupercharged.com/gallery/photos/abe

[wakejunky]

To get to the internals, you'll have to remove the bow seats and possibly drill a 3 or 4 inch hole to access the underlying hardware.
To remove the seats, you'll have to look under the observers seat, on the backside of the seats underneath you're gonna have to find the screws that are holding in the seats and unscrew them. You'll have to do this to both sides. Then the seat should lift up off the hooks.
Now the not so fun part. If you have the dexterity of a 5 year old and arms of a gorilla, you might be able to reach the hardware, if not you can use a hole saw and drill a 3 or 4" hole below the cushion line to gain access to it. There are two screws on the top side that you'll have to remove from the plate as well. Then just unbolt everything.
Reassembly is a little tricky because you have to get the lift eye tight enough to no be loose from the deck and not so tight that you flex the deck if the boat were to be lifted.
Don't forget that this stuff was put on prior to the deck goin on.

[BIGMAC]

This maybe a stupid question but have you put the jack down all the way?

[TwinTip]

98air, I noticed that you have an electric garage door opener. Have you checked if the garage door allows for additional height adjustment? You can try this by disengaging the door from the garage door opener, if you are able to go past the existing hight of the door, you can adjust the open range on the garage door opener. Sometimes when these units are installed they are not adjusted to cover the highest opening on the garage door.

There are two slots on the garage door opener that adjust for open and close motion. You don't want to adjust the close range if this is working fine. If manually you can still open the door higher than the current setting, try adjusting the open range. Be careful not to adjust this range too much since it might hit the stop (or end or the rail) on the garage door opener. Do this in small increments.

[98air]

wow! thanks

The most simple idea is the easiest! Thanks

[OldFart]

lifting eye - listen to wakejunky

wakejunky has u on rite path. in tour i took, hole should be there to access bow l/ring hdw; that's how factory tightens it. OF