I upgraded from a 23.5 to a 1995 Hunter 26. There have been some gear failures but these items have been replaced with new parts and I think I am past the repair stage now. I live on Lake Michigan and plan to make a crossing soon. There is a compass on the port side bulkhead for navigational. The problem is that the compass card is not visible from the helm and is not lighted at night. You 26 owners, is this the stock compass for this model and how do you use it steer? I am considering replacing it with a lighted model, but would like some opinions before making the expense.
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The stock 26 didn't come with any
compass. You should just install to satisfy your own needs. There is no standard.
compass. You should just install to satisfy your own needs. There is no standard.
muskegon
Hello Bill, Sorry that I don't have any help for you. I just wanted to comment on the Muskegon area. My wife and I trailered our Hunter 240 to Muskegon over the 4th of July and started our trip at Hartshorn marina. You're in a wonderful area for sailing. Great people up there and a great area. I even had a plate of smelt at the Dew Drop Inn. We started in Muskegon and made it as far south as Holland and then worked our way back north to Muskegon with a night and day stop in Grand Haven for some sight seeing. A great area.
Hello Bill, Sorry that I don't have any help for you. I just wanted to comment on the Muskegon area. My wife and I trailered our Hunter 240 to Muskegon over the 4th of July and started our trip at Hartshorn marina. You're in a wonderful area for sailing. Great people up there and a great area. I even had a plate of smelt at the Dew Drop Inn. We started in Muskegon and made it as far south as Holland and then worked our way back north to Muskegon with a night and day stop in Grand Haven for some sight seeing. A great area.
Let us Know How it Goes
Bill - I have a 97 h26 that I keep at Harbortowne. I haven't made a Lake MI crossing yet and would be very interested in hearing how yours goes. Ken - Thanks for the nice words about Muskegon. Too many of us that live here don't realize how good we have it. When I talk to sailors who live hours away, I gain a new appreciation.
Bill - I have a 97 h26 that I keep at Harbortowne. I haven't made a Lake MI crossing yet and would be very interested in hearing how yours goes. Ken - Thanks for the nice words about Muskegon. Too many of us that live here don't realize how good we have it. When I talk to sailors who live hours away, I gain a new appreciation.
Lighted compass
You might check the wiring on your compass. We have a 1994 Hunter 26 and the compass light comes on when we turn on the running lights. It is also installed on the port side. Sincerely, Monte Brown
You might check the wiring on your compass. We have a 1994 Hunter 26 and the compass light comes on when we turn on the running lights. It is also installed on the port side. Sincerely, Monte Brown
Muskegon area hunter sailors
Thanks for the feedback all. I will try the nav lights to see if it brings the compass light on. I have seen a couple small hunters in the mooring and Ken you have a 26 at Harbortowne. That's a networking opportunity if I ever saw one! How about a meet at one of the local pubs? Contact me at bitsurfr46@hotmail.com if you are interested.
Thanks for the feedback all. I will try the nav lights to see if it brings the compass light on. I have seen a couple small hunters in the mooring and Ken you have a 26 at Harbortowne. That's a networking opportunity if I ever saw one! How about a meet at one of the local pubs? Contact me at bitsurfr46@hotmail.com if you are interested.
Hunter Owners
Sounds like maybe we should have a West Michigan Hunter Owners Club. They have one on the "other side of the lake", and we are members, but seems like it may be a good idea for the Michigan side. We have not been able to join them for any get togethers, but it's always nice to trade information with other Hunter owners. What do you think? (or is there one out there that we are not aware of???????)
Sounds like maybe we should have a West Michigan Hunter Owners Club. They have one on the "other side of the lake", and we are members, but seems like it may be a good idea for the Michigan side. We have not been able to join them for any get togethers, but it's always nice to trade information with other Hunter owners. What do you think? (or is there one out there that we are not aware of???????)
Another option
Our compass light also was wired to the nav lights. Our compass was located on the wheel pedestal. I removed the compass (saved for emergency backup) ind installed a GPS on the pedestal. It works through the bimini so no exteranl antenae was needed. GPS is getting so reasonable, that it probably competes with the price of a new compass. Mike
Our compass light also was wired to the nav lights. Our compass was located on the wheel pedestal. I removed the compass (saved for emergency backup) ind installed a GPS on the pedestal. It works through the bimini so no exteranl antenae was needed. GPS is getting so reasonable, that it probably competes with the price of a new compass. Mike
wiring
Hunter did not run wiring for a lighted compass on the port side on the former 26. It was a chore to run that wire and connect it with the running lights. In fact, next to impossible unless there was some XXXXXXX. As a suggestion from me, the 260 had a flat or flush surface put on the port bulkhead with wiring in the event you wanted a night lite compass. If you install on the starboard side if there are no instruments there, it is easy to run wiring between the bulkhead and inner liner to the electrical panel. However if you have instruments on the starbaord side, then the compass needs to be on the port. Right above the bulkhead as you are standing in the head, there is a light. I would suggest for ease tying in with the cabin light wiring and at night, turn the master switch on but turn the lights off. Hope this helps you. Crazy Dave Condon in outer space
Hunter did not run wiring for a lighted compass on the port side on the former 26. It was a chore to run that wire and connect it with the running lights. In fact, next to impossible unless there was some XXXXXXX. As a suggestion from me, the 260 had a flat or flush surface put on the port bulkhead with wiring in the event you wanted a night lite compass. If you install on the starboard side if there are no instruments there, it is easy to run wiring between the bulkhead and inner liner to the electrical panel. However if you have instruments on the starbaord side, then the compass needs to be on the port. Right above the bulkhead as you are standing in the head, there is a light. I would suggest for ease tying in with the cabin light wiring and at night, turn the master switch on but turn the lights off. Hope this helps you. Crazy Dave Condon in outer space
Muskegon
Bill M. and Larry and anyothers in Muskegon area. HI - Have an H23. Keep it at Fisherman's Landing - far east end of Muskegon Lake. Would be great to get together. Name the time and place and if it is dooable - we'll be there. Bye the way, will be down at the boat about 9:30-10 am tomorrow (09/14/02). Will put it in the water and go out for a while about 10:30. Drop by then, if you have a chance. Bill Bowman
Bill M. and Larry and anyothers in Muskegon area. HI - Have an H23. Keep it at Fisherman's Landing - far east end of Muskegon Lake. Would be great to get together. Name the time and place and if it is dooable - we'll be there. Bye the way, will be down at the boat about 9:30-10 am tomorrow (09/14/02). Will put it in the water and go out for a while about 10:30. Drop by then, if you have a chance. Bill Bowman
Magnetic Interference
Be sure there is no magnetic interference such as from permanent magnet speakers and some wiring. Many boaters install speakers in the cockpit which can have a negative influence on the ability of the compass to function properly. A good compass, one that swings easily, will pick up speaker magnets from several feet away. Same goes for talk-back speaker/mics. I've never installed the talk-back speaker/mic for my loud hailer for that reason because I couldn't find a place in the cockpit that was far enough away. A test would be to remove the speaker and move it around while someone watches the compass for any movement. Note that some angles/compass readings are more sensitive than others. With a not-so-sensitive compass the above probably doesn't matter. Wires to the compass light (and near the compass) should be twisted. Also, in good weather one can use pilotage to assist. Even a poor compass, provided there isn't gross induced error, should be able to get you a landfall in the ball park then as you get closer to your destination you can alter course appropriately. Heck, even set, sideways slipage through the water, will cause one to be off several degrees.
Be sure there is no magnetic interference such as from permanent magnet speakers and some wiring. Many boaters install speakers in the cockpit which can have a negative influence on the ability of the compass to function properly. A good compass, one that swings easily, will pick up speaker magnets from several feet away. Same goes for talk-back speaker/mics. I've never installed the talk-back speaker/mic for my loud hailer for that reason because I couldn't find a place in the cockpit that was far enough away. A test would be to remove the speaker and move it around while someone watches the compass for any movement. Note that some angles/compass readings are more sensitive than others. With a not-so-sensitive compass the above probably doesn't matter. Wires to the compass light (and near the compass) should be twisted. Also, in good weather one can use pilotage to assist. Even a poor compass, provided there isn't gross induced error, should be able to get you a landfall in the ball park then as you get closer to your destination you can alter course appropriately. Heck, even set, sideways slipage through the water, will cause one to be off several degrees.
Yes, but.......
nobody should rely on a GPS unit alone. There is always a chance of an electrical faliure or other incident. I suggest if you do go with a GPS, keep the compass as a backup. You never know cuz **** happens!
nobody should rely on a GPS unit alone. There is always a chance of an electrical faliure or other incident. I suggest if you do go with a GPS, keep the compass as a backup. You never know cuz **** happens!
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