OK, I need some help here. I just bought a used 16, after being out of the sailing game for 15 years. I have no problem getting it all rigged up, but it has a contraption on it that I am unfamiliar with. Can anyone identify the purpose of this collar which sits in the mast slot, and T-bar which fits inside it? The T-bar is about 24" long, and extends beyond the base of the mast about ~12" when attached...(assuming it attaches as I have shown?

The best I can come up with is that it is used as an aid in supporting the mast in the forward cradle on the trailer? But that would cause the mast to extend far off the rear of the trailer?

Wow, that is new to me, before the 2nd picture I was thinking some kind of mast rotator or something but I am not sure with that t-bar. Maybe like you said it has something to do with trailoring. Does it rotate down?

Yes, I've seen that before. I could have sworn I had a picture of it in use, but I can't find it.

All it does is make the mast longer so that the ends of the shrouds and trap lines can be attached to the t-bar for trailering. Just another example of the inventive nature of the sailor.

If anyone can find a picture of this on my site at http://www.thebeachcats.com/catamaran-pictures.html please let me know. It's bugging me that I can't find it, but there are now over 6,000 pictures there.

It's a sonar transducer. Did you get the electronics that go with it?

actually they are all wrong its a brand new tiller system, you attach the rudder right to it and viola!

It's an antenna for a ULF receiver, allowing the user to communicate with underwater nuclear submarines.

It won't work with flying submarines?

My guess is that the user holds the handle to keep the mast from flopping over on its side when linked-up. This would avoid bending the link out-of-shape just before stepping the mast. Otherwise, rings or stops on the ends of the handle would prevent stays, halyards, etc. from sliding off if that was its function.

This thread was hilarious, fair winds,
Eric

OK, I have two of these things in my basement.

It's used to hold the standing rigging taut when trailering. You just hook the wires on the "T" and bungee the wires to the mast to keep them from slapping around.

Pretty sure it's an old Sailing Systems Design.

I could probably find an old ad for one - if I had the energy to dig through the old Hotlines.

I just happened to come across an ad for an earlier version (made out of angle aluminum)

From the Jan/Feb 1982 Hobie Hotline:

"The Sailing Systems 'Organizer' - New!"

"Locks to mast base of Hobie 14, 16 or 18 by the use of a single push pin. Attach all the rigging on the mast including trapeze wires, halyards and shrouds in an organized fashion. No more tangled line and wires when trailering. Saves wear and tear on the mast and on your nerves! Complete with push pin."

Part No. 175, $19.95 (that's about $50 in today's money)

Thanks for all the great input, and even the right answer!!

I was using it on the water to keel haul the crew after they blew a tack (just by tying their hands to it), but now I guess I have to give that up.

Great forum, and a great sense of humor and knowledge!!

Thanks again