So I am a bit new to this boat and have been doing a full bow to stern overhaul, I came across a wood block in the lazarette and wasnt sure if it was a mount of some sort? Any insight is much appreciated!
Block in Lazarette
- Thread starter Mlachman
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- #columbia36 #hull
Could it be an autopilot mount? Is it sitting on a tank? I see that small black hose that looks like a vent line.
It may be but the quadrant is located in a different area, I'm gonna do some more investigating tonight. Its not mointed on a tank but directly to the hull itself. When I sound the area externally I get a dead sound and when i went into the lazaretter and moved a bunch of stuff I found it. My current autopilot is a wheel mounted belt system as opposed to a tiller arm on the quadrant.
It looks like a bead of some caulking underneath right next to the old beer can pop top.
I would advise not to remove the clevis pin. Might hold the keel on 
Interesting - the block is actually adhered (epoxied / glass) to the hull, or is it just resting in there and may be removed for use elsewhere? Based on the look, and apparent size (20 cm / side is my guess), it appears to be the mount for a U-bracket base with heavy forces applied. If it cannot be moved, what is above this? Are there any similarly sized brackets on-board for temporary mounts, such as fishing gear, holding the lazarette hatch open, etc.? Perhaps it was just glued into this spot as a terrible joke!
I love this detective work. It seems that someone went to great lengths to mount the metallic fitting at a certain elevation, as in an autopilot installation. Maybe many years ago a PO thought about an autopilot, then moved on.
That's not a Beer Can pop top. It is a ring cotter key.
A PO went to some work to build a stout block and adhere it to the hull. I am in the camp of a possible part to a hydraulic Auto Pilot. Would need more context - wider view of surrounding area to better see what else is in the area of the lazarette.
Welcome to the forum @Mlachman. as you can see we love a good puzzle.
Favor us with pretty pictures of your boat.
I absolutely will, i am heading back over there on Sunday and will snag some more photos and see if i can figure out what else it may be. Im leaning towards some form of autopilot mount as well I just need to check the proximity to the steering quadrant. Thanks for all the guesses!
P.s. it is a cotter ring, there was alot of junk in the lazarette
Right you are sir. On closer look it is a "ring ding", as we call them here on the Right Coast
Except you don't know the context of the photo. I've got several through-hulls with no shutoff, mainly accessed through the lazarettes .... all above the waterline. LP gas vent, water tank vents, bilge outputs.
I would guess it whoever put it in thought it was easier to make an angled bottom this way. Perhaps it was done at the boat and they only had a circular saw?
How about this being a possible lifting point for the hull? What is on the opposite side of the hull in this same spot?
Just a thought,
Just a thought,
You rock!! Thanks so much for helping figure this out!! I got a better view as well... The saga continues though, I found what im guessing is a fiberglass water tank formed into the cabin sole. It is quite inaccesible as it has teak floor boards over the top and only a small bung for access. The PO seems to have coiled the remaining water line into a pile and tucked it under the floor panels. This boat is teaching us patience and to enjoy the treasure hunt!!
