Anyone know what this is used for? ?

I received this with the purchase of my 18 and never really found out what it is specifically used for. It seems too long for the shrouds, then I was thinking for the jib halyard, but that makes no sense. I only have one as well. If it were for one side shroud I'm thinking it would be handy for stepping the mast, no thinking. . . . what say the boys?



Thanks for looking.

What you have is a quick-release shroud lever.This enable you to lengthen your shroud wire to right your boat(as long as you have a short piece of wire rigging and it's load spring installed also).You lengthen your shroud so the weight of the "high hull"is actually wanting to help pull the mast out of the water instead of pushing the boat over further.Once opened,the mast seems dangerously loose and the shroud needs to be tensioned as soon possible!Made by Johnson Marine,this also is used to relax the tension on your shrouds(when used on both side shrouds) as you step and lower your mast.I always use mine as I step the mast.Then tighten once the mast is up.

The one you are showing appears to be damaged from?(dragging the road?)

A pair of these is on my 21SE.The shrouds were shorten the accommodate the length of this part.I have a quick pin on the release part.And the other ends uses standard clevis pins with split rings.For righting my boat,I climb up on the high hull,remove the quick pin and open the lever. This allows the shroud to slide along a short piece of wire rigging looped on both ends.On my shroud end(the swaggered eye end),there is a short spring there designed to absorb the impact of this sliding mechanics.
Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE

Thanks Bill! Yep looks like road rash to me too! Still functions fine. Looks like I will have no use for this. .. If anyone would need it let me know.