Weird ancient gadget, need wiser eyes to identity

[MysticBlue]

Hi folks, definitely a stupid question but I’ve been learning to sail on a new to me Hunter 336 and am loving it so far. I’m hauled out now to finally do the repairs that were advised at the survey 6 months ago. Theres a brand new chart plotter and radar set up (previous owners choice) and original Raymarine/Autohelm everything else. I could use some help identifying this weird bulb looking thing on our rail that I think is related to maybe the old chart plotter, but I can’t seem to see where the cables route to. I’m curious if it was the old system, what it is/does or if it can be removed? Any help appreciated thanks.

 

[kappykaplan]

That looks like a GPS antenna, but it's upside down. Welcome to the forums.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I agree with KappyKaplan . It is upside down . When I mounted mine exactly like that ,I ran the wire inside the rear stern pulpit .
It was a pain in the butt routing it that way , it was a cleaner look and kept the cable from getting snagged and exposed to the sun .

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Here's how the older Garmin antennae looked when in stalled according to the manufacturer's instructions :

I have to wonder if water could enter the antennae and do damage to the electronics. Just makes you wonder WHY some people do the things they do.

 

[MysticBlue]

That definitely confirmed my suspicions. Thanks for the input

 

[JamesG161]

Just makes you wonder WHY some people do the things they do.

Not easy to rest you hand on an up right GPS antenna.

Flip it down for easy hand rest.
Jim...

 

[Calif. Ted]

Probably GPS but I do have an XM radio antennae that looks similar.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Not easy to rest you hand on an up right GPS antenna.

I'd say it's something to grab on to once the going gets rough .

Probably GPS but I do have an XM radio antennae that looks similar.

I've got to wonder if the nut who installed @MysticBlue 's antennae upside down somehow managed to get near your boat .

 

[dLj]

Seems PO bashing is rampant in this thread - but it could simply be that something caused that to flip over. It may not have been installed that way...

dj

 

[MysticBlue]

It could have been Hurricane Ian‘s fault actually, just never would have known it was upside down in my case.

 

[PaulK]

We turn our GPS antenna "upside down" on purpose when we haul out so it doesn't chafe the cover all winter. Easy enough to twist it back upright in the spring.
Or, it's also possible that this guy was sailing in the Southern Hemisphere, and did it to correct for the Coriolis Effect.

 

[kappykaplan]

Or, it's also possible that this guy was sailing in the Southern Hemisphere, and did it to correct for the Coriolis Effect.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

did it to correct for the Coriolis Effect.

I knew it was something like that.

 

[jssailem]

I wondered, due to the new release of Disney's Little Mermaid, if it was some how tracking undersea activities.
The wire clearly indicated it was connected to the electronics system. The OP mentioned the Previous Owner had made changes to the electronics suite...

Perhaps is receives Crab Song...
Under the Sea... Under the Sea