What is this strange contraption?

[Auntie Helen]

Not a painting contraption, no.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

it's a washing line fixer

 

[Auntie Helen]

Nope, although the item being fixed does sometimes have occasional pieces of washing pegged onto it, but that's not its primary purpose. Its primary purpose is actually to save your life, sort of.

 

[spandex]

Taking the dog for a walk?

 

[Kirstie]

Nope, although the item being fixed does sometimes have occasional pieces of washing pegged onto it, but that's not its primary purpose. Its primary purpose is actually to save your life, sort of.

Fairly major consequences if it fails, then...which it has, apparently...

 

[gratts]

A pump of some weird form.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

these are the poles on a boat that have lines between them and are supposed to stop you falling over the side

 

[muller]

Is it somehow boat-related? For tensioning up the wire ropes you clip a harness to?

Bugger - cross-posted...

 

[Auntie Helen]

The item failed at a time when it wasn't being used for its life-saving characteristics, it was an innocent bystander in a small crash which resulted in the damage.

I think I'm going to have to tell you.

The contraption is a metal straightener. The item of metal is a boat stanchion (that's a pole that sticks up from the deck and has wires through it which go along to the next stanchion and stop you falling over the side). It was bent when coming into contact unexpectedly with the anchor of another boat on its roller.

What's interesting is that Uncle James could not bend the stanchion pin back into shape at all, it was completely resistant to any force. How it got bent in the first place, rather than cracking the GRP of the boat, we'll never know.

EDIT - whilst I was typing that post two of you got the answer right. Well done!

 

[Eat MY Dust]

Thanks god for that. I thought you were going to tell us it was some sort of crazy DIY defibrillator!!

 

[Aperitif]

Bimey! A day off the forum and all sorts of surprises...


"Yacht's up dock?"

 

[Auntie Helen]

If you think cycling is expensive as a hobby, try sailing!