Do you know what this is and how it's used?

[BobStor]

Attached (I hope?) are two photos of one of six copies of a kind of fitting that I have found in a 14 foot dinghy I just got - an Omega 14.

The first picture shows how the fitting looks when it's installed and the second picture shows what the pieces look like.

In my boat, these fittings are attached to the vertical surfaces of the cockpit - three on each side - about 10 inches above the bottom of the cockpit.

My first impression is that these fittings are used to support some kind of structure (a sun shade?) above the cockpit.

Can anyone suggest how these fittings are used?

Thanks

 

[Ross]

looks like a fairlead to me.

 

[kloudie1]

Strange fitting.. Looks "pull out" removable, leaving the base in place.. fairlead or maybe anchor points for boom/mast tiedowns for trailering.

 

[BobStor]

Thanks, Ross and Claude,

I think Claude may be closer to correct with his suggestion that they are anchor points for trailering. But, even at that, they are pretty wimpy anchor points - I can easily point them out of the fixture part that is attached to the cockpit.

For that reason, I don't think that they are some kind of support for hiking straps, which the boat has already - separate from the mysterious fixtures.

Bob

 

[GeorgiaBII]

Cup holder mounts?

 

[Ray Bowles]

Bob, I also have a Omega 14 and there are no fittings that look like that. Where exactly are they located? Are they on the sidewall from the floor to the seat or between the seat and top outer rail of the boat? Also how far from the transom?
I don't think they serve a function for sailing control.
The boat is a lot of fun and can be very fast when planing. It does need a full set of controls including a vang.
Ray

 

[SchwarckT]

They look like old style fender hangers.

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/fender-hanger-lock-1-2-ss-169128-/4,26383.html

 

[capta]

Yep, that would be my thought, too. Hang a fender from it, but remove it when not in use to keep the area clear.

 

[centerline]

I had the same thing on my 21', and asked the same questions and got the same answers

the pin ring is made to be removable, the shank is about 5/16 in diameter and is plastic.... it wont hold much pressure without snapping off.... the stainless base plate on the other hand is rather thick and sturdy....

they are too wimpy to be fender holders or fairleads, and actually too wimpy to be much use for anything else, but where they were located on my boat leads me to believe that were tie down/brace points for a small portable sun shade or companionway cover....

 

[BobStor]

Thanks for the suggestions from all of you!!

In my situation, I think I can use these fittings as temporary fender holders, even though they are wimpy.

I don't expect to ever bring my dinghy alongside a dock. The only time I'll have it near anything but water is when I use my 8' dinghy to row out to the 14'er.

Thanks too all!