Dis-colored Compass

[James Taylor]

I bought a 1984 Cat 30 with a compass that has dis-colored and turned yellow. Does anyone know if this can be fix or do I need to replace the compass?

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Does it work?

Is the fluid IN the compass yellow or is it the outer casing? Can you read it? Does it have full range of motion? If it's just the fluid, I think if you took it into a specialist (check around at clock repair shops), they could drain the fluid & replace it. I have no clue how much that would cost though.If it's the casing, you might try buffing with something like Flitz or 3M metal polishing compound. Might work, might not but no harm, right?Compasses (would that be comassi?) aren't cheap but are an important safety feature. If you can't read it in the conditions you're used to sailing in, or if it doesn't work properly, replace it. If it just is a little unattractive, it's a matter of aesthetics.LaDonna

 

[Michael C. Froelich]

I had a similar problem with my compass and I did the following: Remove the compass from the binnicle. When removed, you will notice that the underside of the compass can be disassembled by removing the screws surrounding it. Disassemble it and carefully clean all the internal parts. when clean, reassemble and make sure the seal is intact, fill the case with mineral oil. I did mine about 2 months ago and it looks great.If you have questions, e- mail me at zepco@access1.net

 

[Mark Gale]

refurbish

I tracked down the original manufacturer and had mine refurbished a few years back. As I recall, it was a little over $100.

 

[Todd Osborne]

If It's the Outer Lens, Polish it.

Sounds like folks have covered all the bases, except if the outer casing/lens is the culprit. I used Maguires plastic polish on mine this year & got the discolored, fuzzy tint out & she looks like new. If your compass has a hood, remove it, if there is discoloration only where the lens was exposed, then it just probably needs an outer polish, if not, then you'll have to drain & clean the inside.

 

[Gene Foraker]

Sorry, James

I guess it was my fault as previous owner. I bought the boat several years old and the first owner had never had a binnicle cover or compass cover, so the compass sat in the sun all day. Since it was my first boat, I didn't know better for 2 years when I then kept it covered, but it was too late. I looked into the subject several times on the Compuserve Sailing forum when it was the best spot in E-space and the answers seemed to be that the oil inside is colored by the UV of the sun. They reccomended replacing with various fluids ranging from mineral oil to a special liquid "resembling" kerosene. It can be a do-it-yourself project, or can be done by a professional compass shop located in most busy commercial ports. Many people suggested sending it back to the factory.I never got around to it because I always planned on moving up to a bigger boat in a year or so (for ten years), it still worked OK, and I was worried I would screw it up.Hope your season went well.Gene Foraker.