Has anyone installed a bulkhead mounted compass on their H240? Anything to watch out for? How did you make the hole, with a fine sabre saw, maybe a small hacksaw? Help.
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F Pratt
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Dave Condon
Compass installation
Definitely use a hole saw for a cleaner cut. You will have to cut through the bulkhead and inner liner. Put the compass on the same side as the electrical panel. Run the wires if your compass is lighted to the panel and make sure you hook up to the running lights so the light on the compass is on with the running lights only. To cover up the hole, you can buy cover plates from any marine store but the easy route is to buy a plastic bowl big enough to cover the hole and it will not come out too far into the cabin. One other thing to mention is the lightly scratch the cover and spray paint with a beige paint to closely color match the interior of the boat. Crazy Dave
Definitely use a hole saw for a cleaner cut. You will have to cut through the bulkhead and inner liner. Put the compass on the same side as the electrical panel. Run the wires if your compass is lighted to the panel and make sure you hook up to the running lights so the light on the compass is on with the running lights only. To cover up the hole, you can buy cover plates from any marine store but the easy route is to buy a plastic bowl big enough to cover the hole and it will not come out too far into the cabin. One other thing to mention is the lightly scratch the cover and spray paint with a beige paint to closely color match the interior of the boat. Crazy Dave
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Andrew Keddie
Bulkhead Compass Mounting
I have put off fitting a bulkhead compass on my 240 for 18 months as I couldn't figure out a neat solution to this: The bulkheads are not set a right angles to the direction of travel of the boat. An angle from the vertical can be fixed with most bulkhead compasses but what do you do about the fixed error introduced by the compass not being at right angles to the centre line of the boat? I thought abound a wood mounting plate to correct the error but it seemed rather ugly and difficult to get just right. Any ideas?
I have put off fitting a bulkhead compass on my 240 for 18 months as I couldn't figure out a neat solution to this: The bulkheads are not set a right angles to the direction of travel of the boat. An angle from the vertical can be fixed with most bulkhead compasses but what do you do about the fixed error introduced by the compass not being at right angles to the centre line of the boat? I thought abound a wood mounting plate to correct the error but it seemed rather ugly and difficult to get just right. Any ideas?
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Michael Bell
Wedge'e
I think a teak wood wedge cut to the outside diameter of the compass flange would look OK.
I think a teak wood wedge cut to the outside diameter of the compass flange would look OK.
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tom
Contest 101
As far as the bulkhead angle is concerned, maybe a correction chart? I have a Platismo Contest 101 bulkhead compass mounted on my 240. It's nice, and you can also read it, (180 out), in the cabin. Tom
As far as the bulkhead angle is concerned, maybe a correction chart? I have a Platismo Contest 101 bulkhead compass mounted on my 240. It's nice, and you can also read it, (180 out), in the cabin. Tom
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Big T
Its Done
I mounted a Saturn compass with an edge card and it looks great and is accurate enough for me. Fortunately, I live in St. Pete (FL) where the deviation is practically 0 already. Using a separate hand held compass, the Saturn appeared right-on. The mounting angle abeam has turned out to be negligable. I haven't even thought about the adjustments that could be done. Please also bear in mind that my primary need is to allow my wife to sail (by keeping us on coarse) while I relax or roam around elsewhere. I will also add, THAT WAS ONE EXPENSIVE 4" HOLE ($30.00 FOR THE "ONE USE IN A LIFETIME" BIT)!
I mounted a Saturn compass with an edge card and it looks great and is accurate enough for me. Fortunately, I live in St. Pete (FL) where the deviation is practically 0 already. Using a separate hand held compass, the Saturn appeared right-on. The mounting angle abeam has turned out to be negligable. I haven't even thought about the adjustments that could be done. Please also bear in mind that my primary need is to allow my wife to sail (by keeping us on coarse) while I relax or roam around elsewhere. I will also add, THAT WAS ONE EXPENSIVE 4" HOLE ($30.00 FOR THE "ONE USE IN A LIFETIME" BIT)!
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John Thomas
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Big T
Sorry, no bit sale
I decided to give it away to my neighbor (the builder). He didn't have a 4" but did have every other smaller size including a 1-1/8" incher I'll need to borrow to install an exterior electrical socket. Sorry.
I decided to give it away to my neighbor (the builder). He didn't have a 4" but did have every other smaller size including a 1-1/8" incher I'll need to borrow to install an exterior electrical socket. Sorry.
Do it without cutting a big hole
My H23 came from the previous owner with the compass mounted to the bulkhead on a gimballed aluminum bracket. There were only four small holes in the bulkhead, three for the bracket and one for the power supply to the internal light. I believe the bracket came with the compass. The compass is easily removed from the bracket for stowing below when not in use, and it takes about 30 secs. to re-install. I really like this setup because the compass is not exposed to the sun and potential thieves when I am away from the boat. I also like the fact that the small holes in the bulkhead are not likely to leak like a big hole and if they ever do, resealing them will not be a major hassle. If only my chainplates were the same way. Peter "Why cut holes in a nice dry boat?" Suah s/v Raven
My H23 came from the previous owner with the compass mounted to the bulkhead on a gimballed aluminum bracket. There were only four small holes in the bulkhead, three for the bracket and one for the power supply to the internal light. I believe the bracket came with the compass. The compass is easily removed from the bracket for stowing below when not in use, and it takes about 30 secs. to re-install. I really like this setup because the compass is not exposed to the sun and potential thieves when I am away from the boat. I also like the fact that the small holes in the bulkhead are not likely to leak like a big hole and if they ever do, resealing them will not be a major hassle. If only my chainplates were the same way. Peter "Why cut holes in a nice dry boat?" Suah s/v Raven
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Marcie Robson
compass bracket
We have a 25 and the compass is on a bracket I have been on larger boats and they were on brackets also. I have always liked the security of being able to remove it when we leave and its kept out of the weather (I wonder if it can freeze??). In a public marina down from us there was some vandalism and some compasses were shattered and others stolen. I figure "out of sight out of mind". With the bracket you dont have to worry about the angle either. If you do decide to drill a big hole use a hole saw and apply masking tape to exposed surfaces being drilled through, this helps prevent splintering and scuffing if you goof. Drill from the outside in to the inside, the side you start on usually looks better. Make sure you dont lay into it or when you break through youll smash the drill into the side of the boat and splinter the other side. Decide which angle the hole should be and keep it that way either paralell with the deck or perpendicular with the surface to be cut if you make the wrong cut youll have to widen the top of the hole and have a gap at the bottom depending on the thickness, Rember to wear a dust mask and clean up, fiberglass dust is as bad as asbestos. I havent drilled or cut into a boat yet but I have installed equipment and found these a few things to remember...hope this helps...Marcie
We have a 25 and the compass is on a bracket I have been on larger boats and they were on brackets also. I have always liked the security of being able to remove it when we leave and its kept out of the weather (I wonder if it can freeze??). In a public marina down from us there was some vandalism and some compasses were shattered and others stolen. I figure "out of sight out of mind". With the bracket you dont have to worry about the angle either. If you do decide to drill a big hole use a hole saw and apply masking tape to exposed surfaces being drilled through, this helps prevent splintering and scuffing if you goof. Drill from the outside in to the inside, the side you start on usually looks better. Make sure you dont lay into it or when you break through youll smash the drill into the side of the boat and splinter the other side. Decide which angle the hole should be and keep it that way either paralell with the deck or perpendicular with the surface to be cut if you make the wrong cut youll have to widen the top of the hole and have a gap at the bottom depending on the thickness, Rember to wear a dust mask and clean up, fiberglass dust is as bad as asbestos. I havent drilled or cut into a boat yet but I have installed equipment and found these a few things to remember...hope this helps...Marcie
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