Mine was broken when I bought my used M17 too, Mike. I removed it. I figured it was for a gin-pole. --Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "MC" <southisland2@earthlink.net> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 7:59 PM Subject: photo graphs of M17, mystery Does any one have any photos of the M17 looking aft from the bow rail, ( 1983 or later) on this vessel there is two black plastic stubs to the forward side of the mast There is one at about one foot up from the deck and second one is about three feet up from the deck. What ever was there has broken off and only the rivets and the remains of the black plastic remain. The black plastic is formed to the curve of the mast surface and is about an inch square. What was put there?