Please help me identify this fixture on my Pearson 27

Jan 19, 2010
12,565
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
[QUOTE="geoks59, post: 1629052, member: 151934". I'm tempted to try the "throw it away" option but I don't want to patch the holes in the fiberglass.

Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
find an artist and make something new out of it:thumbup:
 

DArcy

.
Feb 11, 2017
1,769
Islander Freeport 36 Ottawa
I have to say this is one of the better "what's this" posts I've seen. Not a common piece of sailing kit.
When you twist the handle does it loosen or tighten the lever? Can you get pictures of the inside you mentioned in the first post?
 
Mar 2, 2019
598
Oday 25 Milwaukee
Ok ,here is my best guess after waiting a few days ..ready ? I chose to believe it is for an antenane base for a handheld vhf radio .
 
Apr 26, 2020
14
Catalina 310 284 Casco, ME
I'll post inside pics once I can get on the boat. The lockdown in Maine keeps everyone away from the marina, but they are putting her in the water in the next week or so. Hopefully, I'll get up there soon.

The handle has right hand threads that tighten a little bit when turned. It might have tightened more when it was new, but 30 years of constant use for whatever it does may have worn it out a little.

The antenna guess keeps coming up. Could be a winner, although there is a masthead antenna.

I'm glad to be able to give the group a puzzle to consider while we are all dealing with the various stay at home orders and such. Stay well and keep those suggestions coming. Someone out there must have these on a boat and can explain exactly what it is for any why someone would drill holes through the deck to mount it!
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,140
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
As it is now with no suggestion from the previous owner, you can let it be what ever you believe it should be and no one will be the wiser.
 
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Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Well, someone put it there for some reason. I challenge the “30 years of constant use”, as apparently the PO didn’t use it either! Doe the PO know who owned it before him? Inquiring minds want to know!

so, what we have here so far are:

1.Manual bilge pump handle
2. Radio antenna mount
3. Big propulsion fan deployment handle (my personal favorite) - seems more and more likely
4. WiFi antenna
5. Gear shift
6. Traveler tensioning handle
7. Whatchamacallit
8. thingamajig
9. oodad (rejected out of hand)

Does the boat have a tiller? Could it be a mount for an autopilot arm?
Given the current state of affairs and level of stress, I’m not going to be able to sleep until this paradox is resolved!
 
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Apr 26, 2020
14
Catalina 310 284 Casco, ME
NotCook: I hope you got some sleep! Although if you're sheltered in place in St. Criox I'm not as sympathetic as I might have been...

No tiller and if it is a mount for and arm for the emergency tiller the arm would have to be about 8 feet long.

The internet did suggest some other possibilities, but none as good as the above list:
 
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Oct 19, 2017
7,976
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
I wouldn't pull it, it could be the lever for an emergency ejection seat. At least, that what you might want to tell your guests who ask.

There are cell phone signal boost antennae that have a similar look, but I haven't found anything that looks exactly like that.


-Will (Dragonfly)
 
Oct 11, 2019
30
Catalina 30TRBS New Bern
I'd be curious to see what it looks like inside the access port inside the cabin. could it be some sort of antenna and the black handle unscrews for a short mast to attach?
 
Apr 26, 2020
14
Catalina 310 284 Casco, ME
Good new and bad news...
The good news is that my boat is in the water and ready to go, finally.

The bad news is the inside of compartment is even less helpful than I recalled. Photo is attached. The only thing coming through into the compartment are the ends of the mounting screws. The compartment is about 2 inches wide where the screws come through. No connections inside. There are no connections on the outside. The mounting base on the outside is about 2.5 inches in diameter. The base where the eccentric ball mount is located is about 1.25 inches in diameter and seems to be semispherical. The handle extends out about 5 inches from the slot into the semispherical portion.

The ejection seat suggestion is right up there with the auxiliary fan control. Perhaps it can be a dual function thingamajig.
 

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May 17, 2004
5,679
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
Screwed in with no backing plate. That removes most of the high-load possibilities. Unfortunately that leaves pretty much everything except the “Big propulsion fan deployment handle”.
 
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DArcy

.
Feb 11, 2017
1,769
Islander Freeport 36 Ottawa
It sure looks like it's just a mount for some long forgotten piece of equipment. I would stick with the big fan switch explanation for anyone who asks. If you come up with a really nautical sounding name for it like the starboard frangeshackle people are more likely to believe it :cool:

Edit - changed pig fan to big fan, although a pig fan might make for a more interesting story :thumbup:
 
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Oct 19, 2017
7,976
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
It's a service signal for an exclusive yacht club. In the down position, it's like a "do not disturb" sign on a hotel door handle. In the up position, it means, "please bring me a gin and tonic." It can also be used for turn down service and ordering a pizza.
:beer:

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
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May 29, 2018
586
Canel 25 foot Shiogama, japan
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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
My understanding here is that the lever rotates on an off-center ball, causing the bottom of the lever to contact the top of the casing when moved to the up position, which causes friction. The friction adjustable by tightening or loosening the handle.
The handle can then be lowered out of the way (sort of) when not in use under way.
The function of it is apparently only required on one side of the boat.

They may have been using it as a furling line hanger.
 
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Apr 26, 2020
14
Catalina 310 284 Casco, ME
I'm liking the "pig fan" and am ready to join that yacht club, but if I can get $799 for it on ebay I'll patch the holes!

It can definitely function as a line hanger. Also, a life jacket hanger, a towel hanger, t-shirt hanger and even a bikini hanger for the mate. if it were on the other side, it would also be an extremely functional tripping hazard!. But, alas, since it is close to the rope clutches and halyard winch, at least the captain remembers to watch his step around it.

At least I don't feel too bad about not knowing what the heck it is. Since it stumped this bunch, its not surprising it stumped me!
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,565
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I'm liking the "pig fan" and am ready to join that yacht club, but if I can get $799 for it on ebay I'll patch the holes!

It can definitely function as a line hanger. Also, a life jacket hanger, a towel hanger, t-shirt hanger and even a bikini hanger for the mate. if it were on the other side, it would also be an extremely functional tripping hazard!. But, alas, since it is close to the rope clutches and halyard winch, at least the captain remembers to watch his step around it.

At least I don't feel too bad about not knowing what the heck it is. Since it stumped this bunch, its not surprising it stumped me!
This thread has been fun but strangely... nothing at the same time...If I were a psychology Ph.D. candidate, I'd use this forum to analyze why some things go viral and others die quick.
 

NYSail

.
Jan 6, 2006
3,145
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
When you take people sailing and the wind picks up..... arbitrarily walk over and shift it a few times and change its position slightly.
 
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