[lyngo]

Thanks to those who showed me where the rear bumper tie down is.

I have two questions:

1. Is there is a downside to just leaving the screw-in hook in place sticking out of the rear bumper? 
2. It's hard to imagine that small plastic tab is going to stay in place flapping around at highway speeds.  I'm thinking of cutting it off and replacing if and when I remove the hook.  Will this cause a problem? 

Thanks for your advice,
Lyn

[Lorian]

I wouldn't leave it attached for two reasons:

It can be stolen
It could cause more damage in a a rear-end accident

If you push the cap diagonally back into the hole and downwards before inserting the eye, then it doesn't blow about in the wind.

[chodups]

Hi Lyn,
I used my stern tiedown this weekend.  Works great and the hatch even opens with boats on top. 
I shoved the little plastic cap up rather then elsewhere and it was a bit of a job to retrieve it when I removed the bolt. 
I will try Lorian's diagonal and down suggestion next weekend.
Jon

[lyngo]

Hi Jon...same here, I used it for the first time today.  While I'd rather have a hook under the stern that matches the bow hook, it was an absolute delight to realize I could retrieve something from the back after the stern tie down was secured!  Maybe that answers your question on why it it is placed off-center?

Only problem is that I forgot to remove the hook and replace the square thingy.  I'll work on that next time.  Hopefully no one will run into my rear bumper.

Lyn

[onine]

The plastic tab can be removed I hear if you loose it the replacement one will have to be painted to the colour of the bumper

[Lorian]

Indeed, there are a couple of plastic tabs you can push down to remove it, but if you do it a lot it's gonna break eventually. The fit is not secure enough to push it back in without the "strap" re-attached.