Mystery Fittings

hpeer · 01-11-2009, 15:58

Looked at a steel boat today, real nice. But it had some mystery fittings I can't explain.

They are symetrical on both sides of the hull. Also, there MAY be an associated deck fitting, looked kinda like a smallish water intake, with each. I did see symmetrically placed fittings on both side decks, I only latter associated them with the "dimples" on the side of the boat.

The "dimples" appear, from the inside, to be bolt heads with threads sticking through. The bolt ends have been squared off so they could be turned with a wrench.

Could these be from some old form of "yacht leg"? They don't seem to match the fittings I find Googling "yacht legs." The boat is about 1988 vintage and of British ancestry.

Can't seem to get photo to post. It's here:

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...=1257115493893

SabreKai · 01-11-2009, 19:20

They very well could be plugged holes for attaching a set of legs. Whats the hull form and how far from midships are they? Is there a second set further forward? They look to be in line with the aft cabin bulkhead which I'd say is a lot farther aft than most legs I've see photos of but its the only thing I can think of. Never seen anything like them on all the steel boats I've seen this side of the pond.

Sabre

hpeer · 01-11-2009, 19:28

Sabre,

The hull form is a hard chine steel, four plates, full keel, Alan Pape design.

These gizmos are just about mid-ships and only one set. The boat is a 44' center cockpit so they are just at the front of the cockpit. Maybe a little aft of centerline.

There is little or no reinforcing on the interior.

I never thought they could be plugs. If plugs then why not just weld the holes shut? Anything is possible so maybe they are plugs. Just don't know.

Weird eh?

SabreKai · 01-11-2009, 21:09

Given their position as you describe, I'm inclined to think they may well be mounting holes for a set of legs. This would coincide with the max beam and the center of gravity of the boat more or less. If the skin is a decent thickness and or there's a frame nearby then thats what I'd go with. Even without any reinforcing, its possible that there would be a plate or plates with matching holes that mated up with the skin and the entire deal would be bolted tight. The legs could be timber with a bevelled pad attached with holes for the bolts to hold the leg out at an angle. Did you query the owner? Maybe the legs still exist somewhere. They'd be handy to have or at least get the dimensions from.

Honestly I can't think of anything else they may be. Holes with removable plugs in the side including one just above the water line? Weird is right.

Sabre

01-11-2009, 15:58	#1
hpeer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Philadelphia Boat: Murray 33 - Chouette Posts: 37	Mystery Fittings Looked at a steel boat today, real nice. But it had some mystery fittings I can't explain. They are symetrical on both sides of the hull. Also, there MAY be an associated deck fitting, looked kinda like a smallish water intake, with each. I did see symmetrically placed fittings on both side decks, I only latter associated them with the "dimples" on the side of the boat. The "dimples" appear, from the inside, to be bolt heads with threads sticking through. The bolt ends have been squared off so they could be turned with a wrench. Could these be from some old form of "yacht leg"? They don't seem to match the fittings I find Googling "yacht legs." The boat is about 1988 vintage and of British ancestry. Can't seem to get photo to post. It's here: http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...=1257115493893

01-11-2009, 19:20	#2
SabreKai Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada on Lake Ontario Boat: Roberts Offshore 38 Posts: 217	They very well could be plugged holes for attaching a set of legs. Whats the hull form and how far from midships are they? Is there a second set further forward? They look to be in line with the aft cabin bulkhead which I'd say is a lot farther aft than most legs I've see photos of but its the only thing I can think of. Never seen anything like them on all the steel boats I've seen this side of the pond. Sabre __________________ SabreKai SV Sabre Dance, Roberts Offshore 38 SV Espina, Mason 31

01-11-2009, 21:09	#4
SabreKai Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada on Lake Ontario Boat: Roberts Offshore 38 Posts: 217	Given their position as you describe, I'm inclined to think they may well be mounting holes for a set of legs. This would coincide with the max beam and the center of gravity of the boat more or less. If the skin is a decent thickness and or there's a frame nearby then thats what I'd go with. Even without any reinforcing, its possible that there would be a plate or plates with matching holes that mated up with the skin and the entire deal would be bolted tight. The legs could be timber with a bevelled pad attached with holes for the bolts to hold the leg out at an angle. Did you query the owner? Maybe the legs still exist somewhere. They'd be handy to have or at least get the dimensions from. Honestly I can't think of anything else they may be. Holes with removable plugs in the side including one just above the water line? Weird is right. Sabre __________________ SabreKai SV Sabre Dance, Roberts Offshore 38 SV Espina, Mason 31

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01-11-2009, 19:28	#3
hpeer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Philadelphia Boat: Murray 33 - Chouette Posts: 37	Sabre, The hull form is a hard chine steel, four plates, full keel, Alan Pape design. These gizmos are just about mid-ships and only one set. The boat is a 44' center cockpit so they are just at the front of the cockpit. Maybe a little aft of centerline. There is little or no reinforcing on the interior. I never thought they could be plugs. If plugs then why not just weld the holes shut? Anything is possible so maybe they are plugs. Just don't know. Weird eh?