Been having fun with the 170 since downsizing from my H23 but I do miss having a compass. Not any good places that I see for mounting one on the 170. Anybody found a good place to locate one?
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Hand Compass?
I'm not familiar with the 170, but could a hand compass be useful, instead? A bit of velcro could be used to hold it in place. Or is there some sort of horizontal surface that you could install a flat-mount compass?
I'm not familiar with the 170, but could a hand compass be useful, instead? A bit of velcro could be used to hold it in place. Or is there some sort of horizontal surface that you could install a flat-mount compass?
Compass
Hi Edwin, I've seen mast compasses in various boating supply catalogs...these can mount on just about any boat. I too have a 170, and I know what you mean...the cockpit is so nice and open...but there's no flat surface for mounting anything! I claim NO conflict of interest here, but APSltd.com is a good sailing supply site. Best, Mike G.
Hi Edwin, I've seen mast compasses in various boating supply catalogs...these can mount on just about any boat. I too have a 170, and I know what you mean...the cockpit is so nice and open...but there's no flat surface for mounting anything! I claim NO conflict of interest here, but APSltd.com is a good sailing supply site. Best, Mike G.
Good ideas
Thanks for the APS Ltd website, I haven't checked them out in a long time. I think something I can take on and off the mast easily is what I'm looking for. Probably involving Velcro. If I come up with a good solution I'll be sure and post it.
Thanks for the APS Ltd website, I haven't checked them out in a long time. I think something I can take on and off the mast easily is what I'm looking for. Probably involving Velcro. If I come up with a good solution I'll be sure and post it.
An Idea
Rather then Velcro, I am working on a mount for my GPS that will use the sail track below the boom, above the boom vang mount. I am going to use a T nut and bolt to secure the GPS mount to the mast. This way, it is easily height adjustable, very secure, and not forever. If you can get a compass with a bracket even better (take a look at the attached link. West Marine RichieSport X-10 Compass)
Rather then Velcro, I am working on a mount for my GPS that will use the sail track below the boom, above the boom vang mount. I am going to use a T nut and bolt to secure the GPS mount to the mast. This way, it is easily height adjustable, very secure, and not forever. If you can get a compass with a bracket even better (take a look at the attached link. West Marine RichieSport X-10 Compass)
Compass mounting space
Glad that website helped, Edwin. I'm also thinking of adding a lev-o-gauge to my Hunter. Probably on the small port side bulkhead, just to port of the mast...in front of the jib fairlead and jam cleat. But again, it's a space probably too small for a compass. Best, Mike
Glad that website helped, Edwin. I'm also thinking of adding a lev-o-gauge to my Hunter. Probably on the small port side bulkhead, just to port of the mast...in front of the jib fairlead and jam cleat. But again, it's a space probably too small for a compass. Best, Mike
Sail Track Hardware Mounting
Make a mount that fits in the sail track! I used Stainless, but really anything from UHMW to wood will work. I will attach a few photos using several responses to illustrate my mount which is securing a heel gauge. Keep in mind that the dimensions illustrated may change based on the hardware to be mounted. Start with a 2" long piece of 1/2" stainless round stock. This is the piece which will be slid into the sail track. Attach (weld) laterally onto it a 1" (long) by 1/2" (wide) by 1/8" (thick) piece of stainless flatstock (sheeting). This is the piece which will extend out of the sail track through the groove in the mast. Onto this, (weld) attach a properly sized mounting plate made of the same flatstock as above. The attached image has a plate 1 1/2" wide by 1" high. Drill mounting holes through the mounting plate for your specific hardware. Drill a hole or two through the round stock to pin in place once inserted into the track. Drill corresponding holes into the mast. From the bottom of the mast, slide the unit into the track and secure into place with roll pins. Attach your hardware. Keep in mind that the rivets in the mast boom vang mount can be drilled out and reinstalled if you want to move the unit above the vang mount but below the gooseneck. Also, before installing the mount, mark on the mast the areas that comes in contact with the mast rack when the mast is in the rack on the trailer. You do not want a mount in this area. The pictures say 1000 words. Note that a ruler is included along the bottom of the mount for scale. The "2" is 2". The third hole on the mounting plate is an "OOPS". Hope this helps. Rusty
Make a mount that fits in the sail track! I used Stainless, but really anything from UHMW to wood will work. I will attach a few photos using several responses to illustrate my mount which is securing a heel gauge. Keep in mind that the dimensions illustrated may change based on the hardware to be mounted. Start with a 2" long piece of 1/2" stainless round stock. This is the piece which will be slid into the sail track. Attach (weld) laterally onto it a 1" (long) by 1/2" (wide) by 1/8" (thick) piece of stainless flatstock (sheeting). This is the piece which will extend out of the sail track through the groove in the mast. Onto this, (weld) attach a properly sized mounting plate made of the same flatstock as above. The attached image has a plate 1 1/2" wide by 1" high. Drill mounting holes through the mounting plate for your specific hardware. Drill a hole or two through the round stock to pin in place once inserted into the track. Drill corresponding holes into the mast. From the bottom of the mast, slide the unit into the track and secure into place with roll pins. Attach your hardware. Keep in mind that the rivets in the mast boom vang mount can be drilled out and reinstalled if you want to move the unit above the vang mount but below the gooseneck. Also, before installing the mount, mark on the mast the areas that comes in contact with the mast rack when the mast is in the rack on the trailer. You do not want a mount in this area. The pictures say 1000 words. Note that a ruler is included along the bottom of the mount for scale. The "2" is 2". The third hole on the mounting plate is an "OOPS". Hope this helps. Rusty
Attachments
Image 2
Here is the image taken from the bottom of the mast looking toward the top of the mast. This would be a side photo. The bottom of the heel heel gauge is the black object on the top of the image.
Here is the image taken from the bottom of the mast looking toward the top of the mast. This would be a side photo. The bottom of the heel heel gauge is the black object on the top of the image.
Attachments
Image 3
Here is a macro image. Gauge is installed. Ruler is 24", included for scale. Also note the grass in the background. This is because it has rained almost every day for the past month (seriously!) and the boat has not even been put in the water yet this spring!!! But that grass is really green!
Here is a macro image. Gauge is installed. Ruler is 24", included for scale. Also note the grass in the background. This is because it has rained almost every day for the past month (seriously!) and the boat has not even been put in the water yet this spring!!! But that grass is really green!
Attachments
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