What is this thing?? Need help please.

[Peterbreit]

This bracket holds the electric motor for the Autohelm. connects to the steering wheel mounted drive via belt.

[Brewgyver]

I removed one of those ancient drives, on my sister's boat, the motor was attached low on the binnacle post.

[Brewgyver]

Originally Posted by Sir_Crabs_A_Lot

I think that "peg" you refer to is a sunbrella cover snap, because there's another one a couple feet aft.

My guess is that, because the OP item has a curved surface it was meant to hold a something like a scuba tank, which was removed when they decided to install a shore power cord in that location.

Ryan

That shore power inlet location is factory original on the Mk II boats.