What is this thing??

[theglo]

Anybody have any ideas? Came with the boat I just bought. String/Rope attached to it is too flimsy to have supported a human (I think). Looks custom made.

Any ideas?

[JPA Cate]

It's a home made flopper stopper. It would be deployed about amidships, and it sinks when the boat rolls towards it, and then resists the upwards roll, to slow rolling at anchor for a mono.

Ann

[Pau Hana Daz]

Looks like a human planer/downrigger. We used to use something similar when looking for new dive sites in the Bahamas years ago. You tow it behind a boat and a person hangs on to the handles. They can tilt it down to dive and from side to side to steer.

[theglo]

Originally Posted by Pau Hana Daz

Looks like a human planer/downrigger. We used to use something similar when looking for new dive sites in the Bahamas years ago. You tow it behind a boat and a person hangs on to the handles. They can tilt it down to dive and from side to side to steer.

oh, awesome. that actually sounds pretty cool. Will try. We do this awesome (without this new toy) when lobster hunting here in the Keys.

[Caleb_Grey]

Sure looks like an early or homemade subwing, or dive wing.
Like anything use with caution, its pretty easy to get clobbered by floating debris, fish, seaweed etc, boat has to be going at a good clip for them to work effectively.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Pau Hana Daz

Looks like a human planer/downrigger. We used to use something similar when looking for new dive sites in the Bahamas years ago. You tow it behind a boat and a person hangs on to the handles. They can tilt it down to dive and from side to side to steer.

This ^^^^

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by theglo

Anybody have any ideas? Came with the boat I just bought. String/Rope attached to it is too flimsy to have supported a human (I think). Looks custom made.

Any ideas?

Drogue, set for slowing Drift.
Boatyarddog

[Uncle Bob]

Sure can tell those that have over the years played on and under the water, that is designed to allow a swimmer/diver to be towed behind a boat and control their attitude and depth. A lot of fun. Call it a subwing/dive wing or whatever.

[Sos]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Sure can tell those that have over the years played on and under the water, that is designed to allow a swimmer/diver to be towed behind a boat and control their attitude and depth. A lot of fun. Call it a subwing/dive wing or whatever.

But you need 3 arms to use it!

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Sos

But you need 3 arms to use it!

Wot, you don't have three appendages?

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Sos

But you need 3 arms to use it!

You shouldn't dive alone.

[jim King]

I'm pretty sure those who said it was a plaining devise to tow a swimmer behind a boat got it right. It can cruise side wise with the change of pull left or right and dive and rise.

[waterman46]

Ancient Roman battle shield.

[John_Trusty]

Please, when you figure out what it really does, let us know! If you do it and look foolish or hit a coral head at speed, pls post the video.

[KBDick]

As he original owner, this is a sled to tow a person behind a boat which allows the
Person being towed to dive down by pushing the front edge of the plane downwards which allows the user to dig down and check out fish, reefs, etc.
Lots of fun!