What is This Part?

[Jim Evans]

I found this buried deep in the lazarette, and I've no idea what it's for. It looks like it could be used to suspend an anchor line. There are no markings on it, but it looks bronze. Removing the shackle allows the two halves to separate. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[Jim Walsh]

Looks like a saddle used on a gaff rig.

[Jim Davis]

It is a rode rider. It is used on rope anchor rode to suspend a weight (kellet) to increase the holding power. The shackle is removed to slip it on the rode. Then the weight shackled on. The small hole is for a recovery line.

[Jim Walsh]

Looks like a saddle used on a gaff rig.

Or a kellet suspender....

[Jim Evans]

Thanks, Jim. That makes perfect sense!

[tjr818]

Too many "Jims" in this chain.
Which Jim is right?
I vote kellet suspender.

[Jim Walsh]

So did I, eventually!
Never can be too many Jim's.

[Steve Laume]

I was going to vote for a marine version of this device but I seem to be out voted in favor of a rode rider, Steve.

Okay, my original link didn't work and it wasn't much of a joke without it.

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Girl-Female-Ur ... B003BEDUS6

This one works but it still might not be a very good joke, Steve.

[jen1722terry]

Gee, if you decide you don't want the kellet rider, we'd be glad to buy it from you, as we have been looking for one that would work better than the carabiner we use now.

Neat old part.

Jenn and Terry

[pete faga]

Great thread
Thanks for the education
I watched the video of the New Zeland company that makes the anchor buddy and now I see how it works!

[Klem]

I watched the video of the New Zeland company that makes the anchor buddy and now I see how it works!

Not to start an anchoring war but how it works (what I assume you refer to) and how well it works are two very different things. The makers of the anchor buddy and other similar products love to claim all sorts of things, many of which greatly exaggerate the benefit of these devices. These devices do a very good job of preventing keel wraps in light air and can also decrease the swing circle a lot for someone with a mixed rode in light air. However, the claims of incredible shock absorption and increased holding power are largely untrue as when you need both of these, the device is much too light to do anything of real benefit. It won't hurt (I guess it adds complication which is never really good) but it also won't help. Just wanted to throw that in there as I have met several people who carry a small kellet that they plan to use when the weather gets bad not realizing that it won't make up for any inadequacy in their normal anchoring gear.