What the heck are these?

[roythomas]

96709671

I have been trying to figure out what these deck fixtures are. See photos. They have substantial backing plates so I assumed they'd be load bearing in some way.

Any input is appreciated. If you can identify them please give info on how I'd use them.

http://proofs.bkdog.com/p464141265/e53a8de41
http://proofs.bkdog.com/p464141265/e53a8de87

[paulsproesser]

Must be for those long skinny oars that came with the boat lol ! Just kidding. If I had to guess I'd say they were for your lines to keep your spinnaker pole from riding up but normally a better location is on the foredeck.

[ebb]

look Davey.... look authentic.
But they aren't the super strong U-bolt binding that might be used for upward pulling.
These use lighter fastenings, therefor less load,
therefor must actually have lead line thru, maybe leading it horizontally??

Super fender holder?
Maybe useful for tieing an inflatable on the foredeck?
Or create a triangulation for spring lines??
Maybe jack lines? Any other unexplained loops or eyes around the deck?

Nah, they're pointed wrong.
The mystery is why are they mounted fore-n-aft, like that.

I think very skinny titanium looms for oars is correct.
Mast does seem to be in the way...
Maybe the oars were led back to the cockpit, for convenience.:confused:

[c_amos]

I wonder if someone placed them there to rig a preventer to?

[SkipperJer]

I have wanted tie-downs there for a small winter cover. Is previous owner reachable?

[Bill]

I wonder if someone placed them there to rig a preventer to?

Maybe for something such as a "Dutchman?" I've not seen those advertised recently.

[mbd]

I was thinking preventers too, or perhaps attachments for a self-tending jib? Tiedowns for a dinghy is a good idea...

[roythomas]

I was thinking self tending jib too. The previous owner is available but didn't know. He owned it a few years and before him someone else a few years and before him.......

Drum roll please.....

Zoltan Istvan. Yup, I think this is his old boat. Hull# 266.

[mbd]

Man, if these boats could talk...

[Kaptn Karl]

Doesn't every Ariel have something like these? I just received some Ariel line drawings and they show them to be "jib lead eye strap". I am mystified as to how they were intended to be used. Based on this info, anyone want to venture a guess?

[ebb]

leads for jib sheets over the cabin top.

[Kaptn Karl]

ebb...But to what advantage? Why lead your sheets up there?

[ebb]

Just a tickle. Have a faded memory of a photo posted here on somebody's thread...
that's about it. They do seem too far forward to be involved in the running rigging.

Of no help are these two archival sites:
Commander Line Drawing
Commander Sail Plan

If you will visit http://www.solopublications.com/
Find This Sailing Page Start Here
Then under Feature Pages, Bop the Pearson Ariel Pages

"Augustine" -- A Pearson Ariel Page

Scroll down to Pearson Links, there you'll find a couple enticing leads I can't make work.
(Maybe you can get in touch with Scott and see if he ever made copies.)
Pearson Commander Page ......with photos
Pearson Commander Rigging Solutions


Also in the Archives another thread:
Commander in March issue of Sailing.
It's about Zoltan......

Second photo is a dark image of The Way fully rigged:

Can you make out what all those lines are doing under the staysl?
....it does look like "self tending jib" gear, close to the mast like that...

Good Luck!

[Bill]

ebb...But to what advantage? Why lead your sheets up there?

AC yachts came with high clew jibs. Since then, most skippers converted to "deck sweeper" or low clew sails for improved performance.

[Kaptn Karl]

I just went and looked at the line drawings and Bill would be correct in that they show a high clew jib. My foresail inventory won't be needing those lead points. Thanks for unraveling the mystery!

[roythomas]

So how does one use them if they had a high clew jib? DO you run the jib sheets through them? If so, they seem oriented oddly. Do you tie a block to the fixture and run a sheet through that??

[ebb]

Zoltan is running for president (of the US) on the Transhumanist ticket for 2016.

He is married to a doctor, has kids, and lives, I believe, in MillValley, CA.
He's a writer and has published a novel.

Since he is obviously entertaining public life, it seems likely that he'll be available
for interview...
or just asked a question about his 7 year adventure, which began in 1994 and took
him 1/2 way round the world in his Commander, The Way:
'Hey, Zoltan, what did you use those fairleads for, that were mounted on the cabin
of your Commander near the mast'.....etc.:D

Could pose as a reporter for the Pearson Ariel/Commander Association Newsletter...