When I did the inventory on Enigma yesterday I found this thing alongside the tiller pilot and I have no idea what it is. Can anybody identify the black rod to the left of the tiller pilot?

With a bit of Googling I think I may have figured it out. There was also a small red vane with a black wire and I am thinking this black pole is bolted to the pushpit rail and the vane is attached to the top so the tiller pilot can steer using wind angle.

Does this sound right?

Looks like very old tiller pilot technology.

Yes, it is a wind vane mount. The cord is to provide feedback from the tiller. (See the little hook on the end of the piston.) Don't knock it if it still works!

I have one of those old tiller pilots. Was always reliable till last year. I opened it up and found the compas had detached from the circuit board and the string had Brocken so re glued it and replaced the string. Took a bit of experimenting and adjustment to get it centred and operating correctly but now it's as good as ever. They are good in that you don't have to punch numbers you just turn the compass rose until your plotter ( navionics) is on course.

Yeah will definitely be experimenting with this unit and if it works ok and can hold a course will do me for now.

If you decide to part with it in the future, let me know.

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Guitz said..
If you decide to part with it in the future, let me know.

No problem, but would only be if it doesn't work. Otherwise I will keep and use it.