Any idea what this is for?

[Steve_in_lex]

Two of these came with the boat.  They're made of cotton; the buttons are sewn in without button holes, and doesn't have pockets, just the folded-up panel with buttons.  There's a hem along the top that could hold a rod.  Figured I'd ask if I'm missing some ingenious invention before tossing it.  Thanks.

[KWKloeber]

Did you post this before?  If not there's FOUR of them out there. 
I remember ideas/guesses, maybe not a definitive answer though.


-kk

[Steve_in_lex]

D'oh!  Yes, I did post this earlier in the summer.  Went on a trip and forgot to check back!  Sorry about that.  God some good suggestions, with a plurality being lee cloths.

Thanks,

Steve

[KWKloeber]

Doesn't seem likely to me - too small and not waterproof/sunbrella for a cockpit lee cloth, no lower attachment points for a bunk lee cloth.  More of a 'holder' for multiple somethingorothers.  Possibly a settee or vee berth 'catch all'?
Forensically, the buttons seem to me to reinforce the pull point so that just a stitch there won't rip through the cloth - suggesting a heavy or very bulky item in each pseudo pocket.  Suggests owner didn't have a machine to sew pockets, so used the stitch/button, possibly nor a snap setter to install snaps to hang it in the berth.  Who knows - just guesses?  How about asking PO and enlightening us?

-kk

[lazybone]

 corset for fat pirates.

I forget the nautical name for it?

[mark_53]

Just chuck it. Then you will find out you need it. Oh, someone said that before too.

[Steve_in_lex]

I'm thinking that Mark has the best idea.  Thanks all.

[lazybone]

Sponge Bob pants.

[captran]

I saw something similar on a boat once that was on a life line and they kept extra propane bottles in the "sleeves".

[RV61]

My Guess Hatch board covers to protect them when storing?