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Old 05-01-2019, 07:47   #1
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What is this thing?? Need help please.

Hello, I have a 1989 catalina 30 for four years now.. this thingy has been baffling, irritating, and taunting me since day one. Its mounted in the cockpit on the starboard side. I have wheel steering so its not a tiller pilot bracket, too big for vhf clip, too low to be a drink holder ect...
Any help is appreciated!!
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Old 05-01-2019, 08:23   #2
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Most likely installed by a PO for something you don't have. If it's no use to you then remove it and get rid of those rusty screws. Throw it in your junk box JIC.

You may want to check that power cord, looks like the outer insulation pulled from the plug. That will allow water to enter which = corrosion which = poor connection which may = fire.
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Old 05-01-2019, 08:27   #3
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Tim.
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Old 05-01-2019, 08:37   #4
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Welcome aboard!
If you remove it you’ll find a hole that a wire once ran through. Click on the following link to see it.
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Old 05-01-2019, 11:00   #5
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSails View Post
Most likely installed by a PO for something you don't have. If it's no use to you then remove it and get rid of those rusty screws. Throw it in your junk box JIC.
Nah, carefully wrap it up in brown paper tied with string then place in a locker with the words "Spare widget" written on it. It will provide hours of entertainment for the next owner wondering were it fits and what it's for
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Old 05-01-2019, 11:24   #6
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Holds a portable vhf via belt clip?
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Old 05-01-2019, 11:53   #7
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

You notice that that little bracket is in line with the peg on the cockpit coaming just fwd of the lifesling? Maybe it is from some kind of tiller pilot? where you'd put the control pad?
Just a guess, on my part. It is the alignment that suggested it.

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Old 05-01-2019, 12:38   #8
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

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Nah, carefully wrap it up in brown paper tied with string then place in a locker with the words "Spare widget" written on it. It will provide hours of entertainment for the next owner wondering were it fits and what it's for

And then when it falls down out of reach or you forgot you took it off and where you placed it, someone will tell you exactly what it is and you'll figure out you needed it after all.


Oh well, four years and NOW you're asking?!? I would have been too humiliated to do that. Good for you.


When you DO find out, please let us know, pretty please...
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Old 05-01-2019, 13:52   #9
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Possibly a securing point for a strap to hold the shore power cable to reduce the stress on the plug?
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Old 05-01-2019, 13:54   #10
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

What ever you do, don’t remove it!!

It’s there for a reason. Could be structural. [emoji6]
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Old 06-01-2019, 06:18   #11
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

The best way to find out is to remove it and throw it away.

As the garbage truck is leaving, you'll find the thingy that needs it, slap your forehead and say "That's what it was for!"
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Old 06-01-2019, 08:29   #12
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

It's to secure a liferaft in the cockpit I gues.
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Old 06-01-2019, 08:39   #13
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

I’m with Newhaul - strain relief attachment point for shore power cord. Very nasty consequences if a hot power cord was ripped out of the socket and left to flail about in the cockpit, or fall into the water
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Old 06-01-2019, 15:55   #14
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JPA Cate View Post
You notice that that little bracket is in line with the peg on the cockpit coaming just fwd of the lifesling? Maybe it is from some kind of tiller pilot? where you'd put the control pad?
Just a guess, on my part. It is the alignment that suggested it.
Ann
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
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Old 06-01-2019, 16:53   #15
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Re: What is this thing?? Need help please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HopCar View Post
Welcome aboard!
If you remove it you’ll find a hole that a wire once ran through. Click on the following link to see it.
Sea-Dog : Quality Marine, Industrial and Rigging Hardware

Hmm, written state-of-factly, yet on one photo we can see through it and there doesn't seem to be a hole underneath in the center... The cover in the link looks rather different to me.


At least the OP gets other tips for his boat maintenance based on the pics. It always amazes me what small details people pick up from photos online or even YT videos.
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