Statics problem - too many unknowns?

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The discussion revolves around solving a statics problem involving two sticks with different masses connected by a string. The user has identified five forces acting on the right stick and formulated three equilibrium equations. They express uncertainty about progressing further due to the complexity of the unknowns involved. Adding the left stick introduces more equations but also increases the number of unknowns, complicating the solution. The user is seeking guidance on how to approach the problem effectively.
Gauss M.D.
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Homework Statement



See attachment. Find the tension in the string that is keeping this weird contraption together. The left stick has mass m, the right stick has mass 2m. m, θ and L are known quantities.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Tried starting with the right stick since there's less unknowns there. There's five forces acting upon it I think. By, Bx, T, Cy and 2mg.

I got these equilibrium equations:

By + Cy - 2mg = 0
T + Bx = 0
Cy*0.5cosθ - By*0.5cosθ - Bx*0.5sinθ = 0

Not sure where to go from here. Having a REALLY tough time getting an intuition for statics.
 

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You could add the left stick.
This will give 3 equations again, but just 2 additional unknown parameters. In total, you get 6 unknown parameters and 6 equations.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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