What is this

Nov 6, 2006
10,212
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Whhhhoooo Waaaa.. I've not seen one of those, ever.. Dunno what it is but it was purpose built for some special task.. When you pull the strings, does it turn the whole top(?) head or adjust the angle of the swing weight? does a wind vane for a autopilot mount in the slot that the swing weight (counterbalance) is attached to? Might be the wind vane part of a mechanical autopilot, but the servo rudder and some linkages are missing..
My best guess, Red

EDIT:The wind vane leaf goes in the slot of the swing counterbalance. those two holes are for the bolts that hold it. The strings adjust the angle of the bracket to set the sailing course. The linkage at the bottom is to connect to a servo rudder which would then connect to the main rudder or linkage to steer the boat according to the wind angle.
 
Last edited:
Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
Hello Red, You seem to have a "gozonta" that is missing its "gozinta"! The triangular white end appears to bolt onto some part of the boat while the other end that seems to have a weighted pivot piece is missing a part that slides into the area opposite the weight and beyond the pivot. My guess would be the vertical part of a self steering mechanism, but someone here will know for sure. Respectfully, Phil
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,722
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Looks to me like it's missing the rest of the boat. :-|
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,318
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
When you move the lever on the stainless, boxy end, what happens. Also what type of connectors are on the wires? can you search your boat for similar fittings?
 

slaume

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Feb 21, 2014
105
Cape Dory 30 C Noank
I am going to have to keep an eye out at the junk yard for some strange looking hunk of metal. I could add some weights and definitely some wires and a switch or two. If I ever sell my boat, or get a chance before I die, I will just toss it in some out of the way place and then just chuckle to myself thinking about how much it is going to bug the next owner.
 
Aug 16, 2009
1,000
Hunter 1986 H31 California Yacht Marina, Chula Vista, CA
Pole for radar or some other kind of antenna?
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Sure looks line the vane end of a machanical self steering unit. The weighted pendulum would have a flat air vane bolted to it, could be a wire loop with cloth covering or solid metal vane. The other end attaches to the water vane. The water vane attaches through rope and pulleys to the steering gear. Start looking for air and water vanes and a set of blocks. Might start at the steering gear looking for an attachment point.
 
Jan 30, 2012
105
Catalina 36 Bayfield, WI
Mystery part

If possible, I would track down the previous owner and ask them. :redface:
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Sure looks line the vane end of a machanical self steering unit. The weighted pendulum would have a flat air vane bolted to it, could be a wire loop with cloth covering or solid metal vane. The other end attaches to the water vane. The water vane attaches through rope and pulleys to the steering gear. Start looking for air and water vanes and a set of blocks. Might start at the steering gear looking for an attachment point.
exactly. The end with the weight is the upper end
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,933
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I am going to have to keep an eye out at the junk yard for some strange looking hunk of metal. I could add some weights and definitely some wires and a switch or two. If I ever sell my boat, or get a chance before I die, I will just toss it in some out of the way place and then just chuckle to myself thinking about how much it is going to bug the next owner.
:laugh::clap:
 
Dec 30, 2009
680
jeanneau 38 gin fizz sloop Summer- Keyport Yacht Club, Raritan Bay, NJ, Winter Viking Marina Verplanck, NY
I also think its a steering vane of some type, the boat is a 77 frenchy Jeanneau, boat came from France, holland thru tortola where a buddy of mine bought it up 21 yrs ago. It took us 10 yrs to figure out all the french manuals, specs, electrical so there is no PO to check with. I will check it out further and look for more related parts. Red
 
Jun 6, 2004
173
Catalina 38 San Francisco Bay
It looks like an antenna leveling system... the weight at the bottom would tend to remain plumb and the lines/cables would actuate the (missing) upper mechanism to keep a radar antenna level.