What is this? Why is it on my boat?

[Lion35]

Could it be the manual backup handle for your windless? Does the hose have a significantly larger diameter, or is it tight on the rod? If it's larger maybe they used it for attempted floatation?

Or maybe it just holds up the wet locker its mounted in with those fancy clips?

[craigtoo]

No Windlass...
The device is 4 feet long. So I dont' think it's a handle.

It won't float.

Thanks for trying...

Stumping Sailnet.... Wow...Didn't think it could be done...!

[CalebD]

I assume your boat has a spinnaker? Could this be some kind of funky hand held twing for playing the sheet? You would need to mount a block on the lanyard and then the sheet through the block. This would allow the foot of the sinnaker to ride higher. Was the PO into racing?
Just stow it, preferably where you found it until it becomes a parent.

[sandiegosailor]

One more guess.....She has a retractable keel with about a 4 ft draft....This thing is about 4 ft....Could it be some sort of manual depth gauge?

[Looking]

What about a tiller extension for the dink? But they why would it be stored in the hanging locker???

Do you have a settee that pulls out to a berth? Could this be a support for that?

[sailboy21]

Those double hose clamps are mounted with such precision.... measure the exposed ends.. if they are exactly the same length we can safely assume the PO was a Virgo (my wife is one and it drives me nutz!!!)
Maybe it is just someones way of storing some spare parts...

[Stillraining]

could be used to hold the mouth open and keep it weighted....?

[craigtoo]

Originally Posted by CalebD

I assume your boat has a spinnaker? Could this be some kind of funky hand held twing for playing the sheet? You would need to mount a block on the lanyard and then the sheet through the block. This would allow the foot of the sinnaker to ride higher. Was the PO into racing?
Just stow it, preferably where you found it until it becomes a parent.

It may have had a chute at one time... But it hasn't for a long time.

It wasn't raced by the PO.. but could have been by the PPO.

Could it be some sort of stand for a BBQ? Again.. why below and not in storage in the cockpit...?

Let me check that out...

[craigtoo]

Wow... we've just passed the "Crimping vs. Soldering" thread in number of views...!!

[JohnRPollard]

Okay Craigtoo,

Hasn't this been fun? But we've made you suffer long enough. All of us old timers know exactly what the device is, we were just enjoying this little prank at your expense. No hard feelings, I hope?

What you have is found on most boats built after about 1975, when certain new electrical safety standards were promulgated. Usually it is hidden away in an obscure location (often the underside of the deck inside a cockpit locker) but some builders felt it was important to install it more prominently/accessible.

What that device is is a master electrical circuit breaker. By clipping it into its position, the master electrical circuit for the entire boat is completed. Think of it as sort of a giant fuse. On the back side of those clips they are connected to some very heavy gauge wire, which you may not be able to see because they usually embed it in the cabinetry. The center portion of the conducting rod is insulated with rubber hose, so that you can grab on to it and remove it from the clips without getting a shock.

Whatever you do, DO NOT remove this mega master fuse for any extended periods of time. That is because not only will you bypass the principal surge protection/absorption for your electrical system, but you will also cause 12V electricity to bleed outside of the hull via the emergency secondary bypass, which will quickly burn through your zincs and begin eating at your bronze thru-hulls.

Sorry to toy with you. Hopefully this explanation puts the mystery to rest...