What's this off?

[spartacus]

It's a rudder or fin of some sort. Found on Balmedie beach this morning at the high water mark. My brother thinks it's off Bond's Lotus!

[spartacus]

Better picture.

[indaba1991]

First I though it must be off one of these.

The sense tells me its off one of these

[biffer]

Yacht self steer probably

[indaba1991]

Originally Posted by biffer

Yacht self steer probably

The engineering on the metal looks quite substantial and of a good quality - but the plastic is not a material normally used in larger boats. There are some smaller multihull types that might use this - like WETA Trimarans. Interesting conundrum - am still inclined to think it is off some sort of beach / cat / pedalo.

[spartacus]

Thanks for the suggestions indaba and Biffer. There's probably a yacht somewhere going round in circles!

The metalwork is stainless steel, and part of the reason I picked it up. There's an unusual rubber clasp half way down the fin on one side it. It attaches to the stainless steel rod that runs inside the rudder. Any thoughts what's it for?

[spartacus]

Where it sheared off.

[biffer]

Google weather vane selfsteer it will become clearer

[willk]

Towfish hydroplane

[biffer]

That's a good contender, I wonder what the bracket in the side was for

[indaba1991]

Originally Posted by biffer

That's a good contender, I wonder what the bracket in the side was for

Hobie Mirage Drive Sport Kayaks for sale from Cornwall Canoes

Some boats / canoes have a dynamic foot drive that use fins like this. Could be something like this. Did you see a lifejacket marked with SIMCAL on it by any chance?

[biffer]

Too robust for a canoe I'm afraid

[PeterM]

Cruise missile?

[biffer]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Cruise missile?

. We are starting to head towards the bilge now Pete

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by biffer

. We are starting to head towards the bilge now Pete

Long way yet before I get called a boring twat or similar....

Maybe it's off iron mans suit?

It could look very like the fin off my shark outfit...or like you said biff...blade off an auto helm makes sense.

I've never seen one with what looks like plastic molding round the top...that looks like it's failed....

Dingy rudder?

[treerat]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Dingy rudder?

I did think that as it seems to be PICO yellow but looks too thick for me.

Plane off an ROV or similer makes sense.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by treerat

I did think that as it seems to be PICO yellow but looks too thick for me.
.

I thought they drop on pins still?.but it's that sort of thing. Hmm.....

[A1an]

Given your location I'm guessing its off an ROV.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by A1an

Given your location I'm guessing its off an ROV.

I thought that, or a sonar drogue. Either way it's a nice find for a bit of flotsam. I'll have a tinker with it to see if there are any other identifying features.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by indaba1991

The engineering on the metal looks quite substantial and of a good quality - but the plastic is not a material normally used in larger boats. There are some smaller multihull types that might use this - like WETA Trimarans. Interesting conundrum - am still inclined to think it is off some sort of beach / cat / pedalo.

You were right about the quality of the metalwork. Stainless steel 316 throughout, including a a woodruff key. The slotted head (bit that sheared) was held in place with circlips. The section with the broken off plastic is also lined with plastic, acts like a nylon bush to stop metal on metal contact. Quality.