Taffrail Log

[Tar34]

I came across this item in recently purchased sailboat of a friend. He asked me what it was. I thought it might be a taffrail log. Does anyone recognize it and possible name a manufacturer? Or am I wrong in my identification? With is it next to it is a heavy braided rope which attaches to one end. There was no accompanying recording instrument.

[skipmac]

Doesn't look like the taffrail logs I've seen. Maybe a water driven generator? Other end of the braid attaches to an auto style alternator.

[roverhi]

It looks like the propellor for a water driven generator. It's way too big to be a taff rail log and the blades aren't right. The Walker Log propellor is much smaller with shorter longer fins and the thin drive line is attached to the nose of the spinner. There is no long rod

[Jim Cate]

These guys are correct: that is the prop for a towed water powered generator. The wing shaped gizmo is to help keep the prop from leaping out of the water at higher speeds. Look around the boat for something that looks like an alternator or electric motor. It will have some sort of trunion or swivel mount that is placed at or near the stern rail or transom.

These are very useful devices whilst voyaging... will usually suply more consistent power than a wind generator.

Cheers,

Jim

[SkiprJohn]

Looks like a pretty substantial piece of equipment. If you find the alternator/generator it'll be a score. Or, you could just rig one up.
kind regards,