What is this piece of wood for inside my Cape Dory?

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What size Dory?

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Thats what she said

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Perhaps it’s a mezuzah!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah

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That's a great answer!

It can't possibly be right, but I love the answer!

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It’s an accent piece purely for decoration. Or, the builder had a good sense of humor.

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Something to hold on to, usually useful near stairs

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It covers attachment point for the cockpit combing forward edge.

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I was wondering that. Thanks.

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It attaches to the wood cockpit coaming on the outside.

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This is the answer, there are 2 or 3 wood screws covered with plugs that attach the forward end of the coming.

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It’s not a backing plate for something outside?

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Is there anything on the other side? These might be backing plates for something mounted to the cabin side.

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I don't think so. Will check again.