Re: Trunion (And Pintle and Gudgeon oh my)

["\"Mr. Mike\" Passaretti" <passaretti@sol.med.ge.com>]

>>>>> "Malcolm" == Malcolm Walker <walker05@camosun.bc.ca> writes:

    Malcolm> On Sat, 9 May 1998, Joe Curry wrote:

    >> Now I'm waiting to hear "gudgeon pins" mentioned as
    >> part of US engines.

    Malcolm> A "gudgeon" is the other half of a "pintle"--
    Malcolm> both of these make up the hinge by which a
    Malcolm> sailboat rudder turns.  Why not call it a hinge?
    Malcolm> A gudgeon-and-pintle comes apart quickly so that
    Malcolm> your rudder will not touch bottom when you beach
    Malcolm> the boat.

A pintle is the name I've heard used for the military-style
trailer hitches on some old Rovers.  It looks like a big "C" with
a clamp to close the open portion, and mates with a ring on
the trailer.  Curiouser and curiouser...
                                                        -MM