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CarinaPDX · 15-09-2015, 10:43

It looks to me like the swivel for a club-footed staysail. In the photo, forward of the swivel, is a stay with a shackle for the staysail tack. A spar would have attached to the swivel and the outboard end would have attached to the clew of the staysail. This arrangement used to be very common years ago on cutters but many were removed. While they had the advantage of not having to tack the staysail, they required a shorter (fore-aft) sail that couldn't overlap the main, and were more difficult to adjust sail shape. Also, when not sailing the spar was in the way. I suspect the electrical fitting was put there so that it would be protected by the spar from being stepped on, and was possibly used for powering a hanging anchor light in the foretriangle.

Greg

mainesail · 15-09-2015, 11:21

First thought is swivel for a staysail boom, but can't really tell, more detailed and closer pics would be useful. Can't tell if its sitting in that cage or fixed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric boglio

Hi all,
Calling once again on the collective knowledge, wisdom and imagination... I'm trying to figure out what this deck fixture is, it's about a metre behind the inner forestay and the top part with the pin can rotate. Maybe to attach a pole for the jib? There's a 2 pin power point behind it as per the photo, possibly for a searchlight, but doesn't seem related. Any thoughts thanks?

eric boglio · 15-09-2015, 12:49

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll post a closeup picture a bit later. I'm at least glad it's not something obvious, it has me a bit baffled. Some old blueprints found on board do show a inner staysail boom, but the geometry seems strange so far back from the inner forestay. Could also well be for a baby forestay, I'll have to have a good look up the mast. The power outlet is controlled by a "light" switch near the helm, so the anchor light guesses are probably right.

CarinaPDX · 15-09-2015, 12:57

It was not unusual for the pivot to be located some distance aft of the stay. It makes no practical difference.

Greg

**StuM** · 15-09-2015, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by magellanyachts

What is a line magnet?

A device which magically attracts any nearby line and causes the line to wrap around the device at the worst possible moment.

Rustic Charm · 15-09-2015, 17:12

I'm wondering if it was a self made bracket for portable nav lights. Red and green, plugged into the socket to give power.

Nicholson58 · 15-09-2015, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric boglio

Hi all,
Calling once again on the collective knowledge, wisdom and imagination... I'm trying to figure out what this deck fixture is, it's about a metre behind the inner forestay and the top part with the pin can rotate. Maybe to attach a pole for the jib? There's a 2 pin power point behind it as per the photo, possibly for a searchlight, but doesn't seem related. Any thoughts thanks?

possibly an anchor point for storing the spinnaker pole? Our stores tight against the front of the mast with the outboard end down in a fitting just above the deck.

eric boglio · 16-09-2015, 00:43

Well here's a bit of a close up, not sure if it helps, certainly nothing obvious apart from of course a line magnet! I'll do more head scratching and see if I find anything on board that might belong on that pin. I do need a jib boom, so whether it was intended for it or not I'll probably give it a try, it seems sturdy enough and has the rotation capacity.

Horus · 16-09-2015, 10:35

I still believe in my suggestion: Isolated Antennamount.
Please try (measure) if the housing and the eye are isolated from each other.

jongleur · 16-09-2015, 12:40

Does it come apart if the bolts on the
side are removed?

**Don C L** · 16-09-2015, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

possibly an anchor point for storing the spinnaker pole? Our stores tight against the front of the mast with the outboard end down in a fitting just above the deck.

I think that is it too. Do you have a spinnaker pole? is there a fitting on the mast for it too? Here is a Roberts that appears to have a spinnaker pole mounted that way (hard to see though.)
Bruce Roberts 53. Barcos Vela segunda mano en Â*

DennisDW · 16-09-2015, 13:14

I vote for the jib boom. Someone said it's not unusual for it to be mounted aft the stay and that's true. The idea is that as the sail falls off the wind, the geometry eases luff tension and it becomes fuller. Flatter sheeted in on the wind and deeper draft off. Like the Hoyt Jib boom I think.

By the way, I had a jib boom on my cambria and if you want it you can have it.
Cheers,
Dennis

**Don C L** · 16-09-2015, 13:25

I have never been on a Roberts 53 but from photos it looks like the fitting is mounted pretty close to the mast, as in too close, for a boom. How about a photo of the whole foredeck?