Name That "tool "

[Don from Mystic]

Beginning to clean out Steadfast, my 1983 F/C for a new owner (see for sale). The photo shows something I inherited with her almost a decade ago and have never figured out what it is/does. It is spring loaded like a wooden clothespin in two parts and about a foot long. Made from wood and painted red.........

[Jay Knoll]

How about something to clip on to a rail to trail a fishing line? I used to drag a line off the stern of our sailboat with a hand reel. A clip secured the line with a bunch of slack between the clip and the reel. When I fish bit you could hear the "click" of the line leaving the clip and you knew it was time to go to work!

[Mark Deeser]

It was clipped on steering wheel as a reminder after that incident with the shore power cord left connected at departure..

[Beta Don]

How about something to clip on to a rail to trail a fishing line?

If that was what it was for, the smaller hole (for the line) would be on the outside of the larger hole, wouldn't it? This one would pull the clip from the rail or whatever it was clipped before pulling the line away from the clip, wouldn't it?

Don

[Beta Don]

It looks home made - Maybe it's a clamp someone made to hold the tip ends of a pair of fishing poles secured to something so they don't get broken??

Don

[Don from Mystic]

It is home made Don, and not by an "ace" craftsman as the large hole is kinda drum sanded (maybe even whittled) out, and out of round. Might be a hint that it was in a locker in which motor oil and other chems were stowed near the helm....
(approx 5/8" thick)
Don

[WillieC]

It appears there are three holes. It was original equipment on the early A25s. It is used for checking to see if you are using the correct bolts for the exhaust manifold. The smallest hole is for the 8mmX1.25 thread. The next larger hole is for the 5/16X18 thread. And the big one is just a quick check, just to see if you are still exchanging oxygen. The labeling has worn off but was originally, respectively:

Fits

Don't fit

Really don't fit

Unfortunately, my PO lost his tool.

[Don from Mystic]

Interesting. Thanks for all the responses. Guess It will go back aboard...
I have always checked threads 1) By Eye or fit 2) A thread gauge, (meas TPI) and 3)A Micrometer this thing seems pretty crude for a gauge.

[jleonard]

Maybe it's a tool diameter gage.

[sail149]

I've seen similiar tools to stop the props shaft turning when sailing but usually they are not spring loaded but have a wing nut and bolt to tighten. ( some transmissions require the prop not to turn except by the engine , the motion of boat sailing would make the prop turn) , the red paint would remind you to remove it.
Seams a bit unlikely though!

[DesertAlbin736]

Could also be an all purpose clamp for things like hanging coiled dock lines or clamping shore power cords to pulpit rails (wood, so it's non-conductive & not susceptible to corrosion).

[DesertAlbin736]

PS, we were in Mystic & New London with our boat on the Thames River last summer, now we sit in Silva Bay on Gabriola Island in British Columbia this year.

[Don from Mystic]

Sounds very logical, that could be it. Hope you enjoyed Mystic, I am thankful every day to be able to live in such a beautiful area. I serve as Mystic's Harbor Master and thousands of boats visit each year. Thank you for your post and all the best.
Don