Last season I had a problem where one of my stern eyes came loose. Luckily I noticed it before the transom got wet. When the issue occured I pulled both eyes, inspected the internals of the transom, reinstalled and sealed the eyes and added 4"x4" aluminum backer plates on the storage compartment side. From factory they come with cheap thin metal stern eyes which in my opinion can lead to hardware loosening.
I found these online. They are fully welded with much thicker/oversized plates on the outside vs just a compression fit. Also, the threads do not go all the way to the outer plate. They have a shoulder to better support the eye. I also like the fact that the D shape on the eye is shorter in length. I always felt as though the factory style allowed too much leverage downward.
Just passing this along as I know transom issues are always a fear with our boats. I intend to install a set of these and keep the 4"x 4" backer plates as extra insurance. Anyone else see or use these?
Factory style-
Southco style-
http://www.uglyfishinc.com/southco-m...32-9107724.htm