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eric boglio · 15-09-2015, 04:05

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?

DaveC · 15-09-2015, 04:18

Maybe some kind of antenna? A lot of people use the backstay as a VHF Antenna so maybe this is along those same lines, just dedicated?

It looks like it might be electrically isolated and the connection there could be for the electrical connection to it.

**a64pilot** · 15-09-2015, 04:19

My guess is some kind of attachment point for an antenna, maybe HF? The seemingly unrelated 2 pin electrical connection, I don't think is unrelated.
You sure it's a power point? Does it have Co-Ax connected to it?

eric boglio · 15-09-2015, 04:29

The powerpoint is just 12V 2 pin, no coaxial. There are 2 aerials on the wheelhouse already and there is nothing else leading to the fixture so I wouldn't have thought it would be for radio.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 15-09-2015, 04:31

Uhm....

What does the breaker say that powers the connector???

jreiter190 · 15-09-2015, 08:26

Simple, it is a line magnet.

**hpeer** · 15-09-2015, 08:39

Is there a empty attachment point for a shroud on the mast, about a meter or two below the inner forestay attachment? Maybe some unexplained holes about there?

Ukeluthier · 15-09-2015, 08:48

Maybe a jerry-built pivot for a self-tending staysail boom... although a meter is a bit far back from the staysail tack. Perhaps not for a 53-footer, though.

I suspect the electrical outlet is something independent.

**atoll** · 15-09-2015, 08:59

skyhook attachment point............

though it could be a swivel for a home made furler,look in your lockers there should be some sort of drum and upper swivel,perhaps already attached to your storm jib.

alternatively an attachment point for a self tacking staysail pole,with corresponding sheet track or blocks near the front of the mast.

electrical outlet is probably for an anchor light.

tdoster · 15-09-2015, 09:06

Shot in the dark. I saw something like that back in the 90's on a boat on a mooring in Newport Beach. Hard to describe, but looked almost like a duster (best way to describe). Had a motor with a timer in it that moved it once an hour and the long thin lines would keep the birds from making a home on deck with the noise and movement. It appeared to work well and looked like it was made to fit a standard aerial mount. Only one I have ever seen in my life, but must have impressed me enough to recall it.

Horus · 15-09-2015, 09:27

To me it seems to be an antenna isolator. The boat and deckhouse are steel, so an antenne must be isolated from the hul. May be there is stil somewhere onboard a wire-antenna to be mounted on top of this isolator to somewhere in the mast. The adapter on the deckhouse just near runs the antenna cable inside I guess.
Good luck!

hamburking · 15-09-2015, 09:30

My guess is it was once a powered tv antenna. The power connector is for rotating the antenna for better reception. The cable stayed with the antenna. If you lived at a marina, on on the hook, you might rig up something like this for better reception. Personally, I use an old vhf whip, below. I get the kids to dance around holding the thing until I get a picture. So the setup in the picture looks pretty appealing.