$100 question is what it was put there for .u r right, i looked closely. it's definitely a DIY thing.
so it was used as an offset for the steering tube holes (not sure what's the proper term here.) The transom is recessed and the holes would be blocked. both the boat and motor are from early 70s. design flaw?$100 question is what it was put there for .
it looks to be some sort of cable extension stay ?????.