How often do "what is this?" moments happens on your boat or anything about sailing?

[fernandosmooth]

I found a kit selling cotter pins on West Marine, seriously I have no idea what this is used for. Considering I am not experienced yet with boats, that is fine.


How often do you look at something in your boat or someone else boats and you dont know what it is?

[Pete17C]

Originally Posted by fernandosmooth

I found a kit selling cotter pins on West Marine, seriously I have no idea what this is used for. Considering I am not experienced yet with boats, that is fine.


How often do you look at something in your boat or someone else boats and you dont know what it is?

my boat*? never

someone else's? every time

*I don't own a boat, but I learn the ones I sail quickly

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Pete17C

my boat*? never

someone else's? every time

*I don't own a boat, but I learn the ones I sail quickly

we are brothers.

[StuM]

My boat? Never.
OPBs? Quite often - but I make it a habit to find out what it is/does when that happens.



Cotter pins? Lots of usage, frequently with clevis pins, in standing rigging


.

[Sojourner]

Bought our Amel in February, been pestering the very sweet, very patient former owner every other day or so since

[fernandosmooth]

Originally Posted by StuM

Cotter pins? Lots of usage, frequently with clevis pins, in standing rigging


.

Thanks! I had a guess that it was there but I was not sure.

Originally Posted by Sojourner

Bought our Amel in February, been pestering the very sweet, very patient former owner every other day or so since

Now that is funny.

[Sailshabby]

More “What was <insert PO> thinking?!”

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by Sailshabby

More “What was <insert PO> thinking?!”

Same here. My boat's PO was a hardcore racer. So I had many questions like:

Q: "Why did you install a second set of jibsheet block tracks inboard of the factory originals? They've leaked and rotted the deck core."
A: "So I could point up 5 degrees higher."
(Off came the tracks.)

Q: "Why did you install 1/4 inch diameter halyard lines instead of the original 3/8 inch lines?"
A: "To save 10 pounds of weight aloft."
(Swapped the lines back to 3/8 inch.)

There are some modifications that have practically no benefit but a high operational impact. Those kinds of mods seem to be the most puzzling. After gaining some experience, the stuff that looks weird is often unnecessary.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Cpt Pat

Same here. My boat's PO was a hardcore racer.

I'm having difficulty conceptualising "hard core racer" and "Pearson Ariel"

[Cpt Pat]

Originally Posted by StuM

I'm having difficulty conceptualising "hard core racer" and "Pearson Ariel"

You and I both! The previous owner sailed in one-class races in the S.F. Bay and won a number of annual championships (the vessel name then was Jubilee - I risked the wrath of Neptune by renaming her because someone fell overboard and died in one of those races - which seemed like more bad luck than a renaming).

Racing a hollowed out log in the crazy winds of the S.F. Bay could be challenging, I suppose. I guess you can race the same class in anything that floats. But I'm not an adrenalin-crazed screaming lunatic that ignores basic seamanship with tunnel vision for only the finish line; and instead someone who appreciates heaving-to, looking around, and enjoying nature. So what do I know about racing?

[RaymondR]

One thing I have learnt about mystery items over the years is never, ever throw the beggars away. Sooner or later you will find out what they were for.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

One thing I have learnt about mystery items over the years is never, ever throw the beggars away. Sooner or later you will find out what they were for.

Or send them to me! They probably fit something on a 55 year old boat.

[Steven UK]

Ask me next month, no wait I’ll be asking you (lot)...

[DavidMRea]

When I bought my GibSea 352 - it's quite old - it had this display in it. It still shows 2:00.00.
I've no idea what it is, or what the 2:00.00 refers to. It still shows 2:00.00. I wrote to the maker (nke) who'd also no idea...

[StuM]

Originally Posted by DavidMRea

When I bought my GibSea 352 - it's quite old - it had this display in it. It still shows 2:00.00.
I've no idea what it is, or what the 2:00.00 refers to. It still shows 2:00.00. I wrote to the maker (nke) who'd also no idea...

Pictures?