Does anyone know where to get a replacement for the cockpit compass? The sun has destroyed mine. I would like to know also if anyone has got rid of the old compass and replaced it with some other ornament?
Compass
- Thread starter BGill
- Start date
- Status
OK.
I am new to this group and I asked a simple question, over 100 members looked at this post so far. I find it hard to believe that no one can help me here. I am sure that there are other boats with the same sun damage on the compass. My sail # is 168. Someone must be able to comment on this!
I am new to this group and I asked a simple question, over 100 members looked at this post so far. I find it hard to believe that no one can help me here. I am sure that there are other boats with the same sun damage on the compass. My sail # is 168. Someone must be able to comment on this!
I have the same problem. In a Power Squadron course that I attended they said that it is the oil inside that discolors not the glass and it can be replaced but it is a somewhat messy job. You might also have to reset the compass after you are done. They recommended a compass professional do the whole job to save you a lot of possible grief.
You reveal so few details about your compass problem that any reply could be far from useful help. But in any event, here goes. In fact, I just recently replaced/repaired my cockpit compass on my 1999 Bavaria 38, and also recently did so on a Cal20 that I own, and some years prior on my 1980 Pearson 30. On the Cal and the Pearson, the compass had been mounted on the bulkhead and sun damage had cracked and discolored the dome and card.
The Pearson had already been refitted for a wheel with a mounted binnacle compass so the bulkhead compass was no longer needed. I removed that bulkhead compass and replaced it with a cockpit speaker. For the Cal I went to West Marine, selected a Ritchie compass of about the same size and installed it in the same hole, although it did not fit precisely (they never do) so I had to modify the hole to make it work.
The compass on the 1999 Bavaria, which was installed on the binnacle, had developed a leak so the oil was disappearing and leaving a bubble at the top of the dome. That compass was a Suunto, a Finnish-made compass. There's no way that you're going to find one of those, or a repair kit for that compass, at West Marine, and b/c of the tight dimensions, etc., a substitute brand was not going to work out.
The only Suunto dealership in the USA is Andrews Compass Service in Mattapoisett, MA. I called him from Long Beach, CA, where the boat is, about the Suunto. Together we ascertained the model number which (of course) he does not stock. He contacts his supplier in the UK and they do not have one in stock either, but can get one from Finland in a few days. It's a discontinued model. He does, however, have the repair parts for my model in stock. To fix the compass, I need to buy the dome, the oil bowl, a couple of oil rings and some fresh oil, which is known as Ritchie oil (that you can get at West Marine). The only thing I don't need new is the compass card itself.
He then tells me (and this is illustrative of a compass repair) how to take the compass apart, remove the card from the old one and install it in the new housing, replace the o-rings, snap the housing together, and refill with the new oil. The only special tools I need is an abundance of patience and a vacuum chamber to degas the oil before putting it into the housing. He did offer to fix it for me, however; for parts plus labor and shipping to MA and back.
A new one was > 3x the cost of the repair parts; his service repair was about 2x the cost of the repair parts only, so I just ordered the parts myself and dove in. God bless me for my patience and accessibility to a vacuum chamber that gets down to -24 in. It's fixed now and back on the boat, and all is well except that I do get a tiny bubble at the top of the dome occasionally which I called Mr. Magoo.
As far as explanation goes, he told me that the compass seal in the bowl failed because of overheating of the compass under the Sunbrella binnacle cover. The repeated over-expansion of the oil from temperature causes the bowl to leak. He suggested venting the binnacle cover at the sides near the top with "netting."
Last edited:
Thanks guys!!
Well, the glass on mine is completely discolored from the sun, not just the oil. I don't like the idea of rebuilding something like that either. You are in CA and I am at the most easterly part of North America on an island. So "West Marine" most likely wouldn't be an economical choice for me to purchase and new one either.
What I was hoping for is to hear form someone with the same boat that had the same problem, which there has to be due to the age of the boat. I was hoping to get info for a substitute make or model that would fit in the hole or a larger hole if needed. And I was hoping to get the product in Canada or at least north eastern states.
Well, the glass on mine is completely discolored from the sun, not just the oil. I don't like the idea of rebuilding something like that either. You are in CA and I am at the most easterly part of North America on an island. So "West Marine" most likely wouldn't be an economical choice for me to purchase and new one either.
What I was hoping for is to hear form someone with the same boat that had the same problem, which there has to be due to the age of the boat. I was hoping to get info for a substitute make or model that would fit in the hole or a larger hole if needed. And I was hoping to get the product in Canada or at least north eastern states.
Hi BGill
You'll need to know the manufacturer of your compass. I don't think V&M had a specific compass for the boat. It would likely be a dealer add on. Perhaps you could post a picture of yours in the hopes someone here could ID it for you.
My boat is an '84, and when I purchased her, ~4years ago~, It didn't have a compass. I bought a Plastimo from Gencoe in Toronto. There is a model made for angled installation on the bulkhead. Perhaps you'll find a chandlery on the rock, or failing that, there is a place called The Binacle in Halifax. Look them up on the web. Good luck with your compass job.
Off topic, but I work with a couple of guys from Cow Head. Is that near you?
Eric
You'll need to know the manufacturer of your compass. I don't think V&M had a specific compass for the boat. It would likely be a dealer add on. Perhaps you could post a picture of yours in the hopes someone here could ID it for you.
My boat is an '84, and when I purchased her, ~4years ago~, It didn't have a compass. I bought a Plastimo from Gencoe in Toronto. There is a model made for angled installation on the bulkhead. Perhaps you'll find a chandlery on the rock, or failing that, there is a place called The Binacle in Halifax. Look them up on the web. Good luck with your compass job.
Off topic, but I work with a couple of guys from Cow Head. Is that near you?
Eric
Eric,
Thanks and I will do as you suggested and post some pics and check those web site you mentioned.
Cow head is about 2 hours away.
My boat is form your area. I picked it up in Angus in May, it's a 79 sail #168
I was in Barrie also looking around the marina, is that where you keep yours?
Thanks and I will do as you suggested and post some pics and check those web site you mentioned.
Cow head is about 2 hours away.
My boat is form your area. I picked it up in Angus in May, it's a 79 sail #168
I was in Barrie also looking around the marina, is that where you keep yours?
You drove all the way here (Angus) from NFLD for a boat??? WOW!! There's gotta be a good story there
I'm actually closer to Angus than Barrie, in the booneys. Did you go to Sir Halibuts for fish and chips when you're in Angus? Owned and operated by Nf's. Great place.
Ya my boat is in Barrie Marina. It's convenient!
Cheers
Eric
- Status