Mystery in the Bow

PaulK · Post by **PaulK** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:08 am

Hello All,

So I got back at the boat yesterday stripping her down of hardware etc. I found a mystery in the bow. On the foredeck there is a chrome plate which covers a hole (you can see it by the edge of the anchor. It is not for the rode but the one that is off center. Inside the anchor locker on the ceiling there are two round wood "saddles" like the type that would hold a round tank. There were no straps or signs of them like if a tank was there but rather some nails in the saddles like maybe webbing was nailed to them??

My boat is a 1956 30' seaskiff

Any help would be appreciated!

boat_art · Post by **boat_art** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 12:27 pm

Are you sure the boat isnt upside down?
Im guessing it was a water tank for a fwd head.

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 1:40 pm

Guess # 2
A through deck fitting for a anchor wash down with tank below.

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 3:59 pm

Guess #3
Air tank for air horns

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:11 pm

I am with Jim Staib......tank for air horns???

John in Va.

PaulK · Post by **PaulK** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:31 pm

Well.....this makes it even more interesting that no one is quite sure....I am going to check the hull card in regards to air horns or perhaps a forward water tank. It is only 30' so there is only one head....maybe that would have fed it??

Thanks for all the interest....keep the guesses coming and I will let you know what the hull card says if anything.

PaulK · Post by **PaulK** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:36 pm

Ok, checked the hull card

Says these two things that could be it

18. 260-12V HORNS
21. 12V PITS SEARCHLIGHT

I wouldn't think these would require the saddle but maybe the hole is for the searchlight as I do not have one currently (I wish I did and am looking for one) What does PITS mean (keep in mind that it may not be spelled right as the hull card was hard to read at times)

Thanks!

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:54 pm

Well, there goes Jim's guess....with 12 v Horn
Jim, you have 2 guesses left

parroteyes · Post by **parroteyes** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:41 am

Tank not for liquid. Too heavy for strap support. Air horn is best guess so far.

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:56 am

I had an ancient sending unit for a compass hiding in that same area? It was up there to get it away from metal around the helm?.....I am still going with air horn though.

John in Va.

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:43 am

We have to figure out what is the hole with the chrome bezel

joanroy · Post by **joanroy** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:19 pm

The screw holes in the half round are where the fresh water tank bracket was fastened. The hole in the deck is the fill that's been covered up. The tank was galvanized and rotted out and didn't get replaced. Fresh water was for the sink only. The head water was supplied from a thru hull fitting. That's my theory and I'm stricken to it.

PaulK · Post by **PaulK** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:51 pm

Joanroy,

That is very convincing... I do have an old fresh water tank aft of the head and galley but they may have had two?? or relocated that one?? I am going to look for more clues!

Like:

Do the saddles on the aft tank look newer?
are there any lines running down the walls?

Thanks!

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:01 pm

Guess # 3 :Hot water tank?

TRANS AM · Post by **TRANS AM** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:43 pm

On my 1941 the hole was used for an anchor lifting pipe

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:52 pm

I think you are correct. Anchor rode storage.

OK, that it is solved, what is the bitter end?

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