Need guidance removing binnacle compass

[CapitalistSailor]

I have a Beneteau 311 built in 2000. I have had the boat for four years. I would like to remove the Plastimo 135 binnacle compass to replace the non-functioning lights and to take a look at the steering linkage. Can anyone give me some guidance about how to remove the compass? There are two screws at 45 and 315 degrees on the forward side of the compass, but removing them is not sufficient to loosen up the compass. The compass could be attached with caulking, or there could be other attachments. The plastic parts of the compass housing has weathered for 19 years and looks to be brittle so I don't want to start prying on things if I'm not sure it's the correct thing to do. I have attached some pictures.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[DougM]

In your third photo:
Take a screwdriver with a small blade and pry off (carefully) the kidney shaped gray inserts, that will give you access to the screws that hold the compass in place, the other 2 screws are obvious.
It took me awhile to figure that out too.

 

[jssailem]

A SWAG... after removing the 2 screws, I would see if the unit would turn in the base.

 

[jssailem]

That makes sense @DougM.

 

[DougM]

A SWAG... after removing the 2 screws, I would see if the unit would turn in the base.

The compass does not have to turn in the base. It will lift out as a unit.
There will be wires for the light that then need to be disconnected.

 

[jssailem]

As you identified, the guess I made would not work. The two screws you discovered beneath the grey plastic inserts would defeat the attempt.

How did you discover the solution? A look at the boat manual said only to have a compass.

 

[DougM]

How did you discover the solution? A look at the boat manual said only to have a compass.[/QUOTE]

I really don’t recall ... Not wanting to break something, I believe I may have found a Plastimo website, or else a youtube clip. The worst case scenario would have been the “brilliant” deduction that if there were two exposed screws on one end, there must have been two others hiding beneath the gray tabs. I’m not really that smart, just lucky sometimes.

The reason I needed to remove the compass was to get at the steering mechanism beneath so that I could lubricate it.

 

[Jackdaw]

There are for sure screws under those gray inserts; carefully pry those up. Beneteau would have put a small bead of sealant under the compass for waterproofing the steering mechanism.

 

[JRacer]

Do not shorten the wires. One of them, by its size and length, is the resistor for the LED. That one should be marked with a colored piece of tape, at least it was on mine. IIRC, the tape said don't cut this wire. Bainbridge owns Plastimo and you can get support from the Bainbridge rep in Florida. When you get it off the binnacle, those grey end caps that the cover rotates on can be removed. There are a couple clips at the bottom of the grey thing that you cant see until you get it off the binnacle. Mine had a rubber seal between the compass and the binnacle, no silicone, not necessary.

 

[joyof10]

Doug, you are awesome. I have been wondering about this same thing for some time because there is a groaning sound when turning the wheel and I wanted to check, but didn't know whether to go from above or below to figure it out and apply lube as needed. I have been very reluctant to mess with the compass. Your answer is perfect and I will now have the confidence of solving my problem without breaking something. Thanks.

 

[CapitalistSailor]

In your third photo:
Take a screwdriver with a small blade and pry off (carefully) the kidney shaped gray inserts, that will give you access to the screws that hold the compass in place, the other 2 screws are obvious.
It took me awhile to figure that out too.

We had a break in the weather this week (above freezing finally and not raining), so I went out to the boat to check on things and do a few jobs. DougM, I was able to get the two grey plastic pieces off and unscrew the two remaining screws. Thank you. One screw was loose (on the compass, not the operator) There is a gasket underneath the compass flange, presumably to keep the rain out of the pedestal, but the previous owner or Beneteau had also spread some silicone sealant around the area the base of the sun cover in the back and also through some holes underneath.

The primary reasons for wanting to get the compass off are to get at the burned out lights and to inspect the steering linkage. It turns out the compass has two pairs of wires for apparently two little lights, but they are glued in with the silicone goop. I will see if I can carefully get the silicone off in the spring. I'm not sure how to get at the lights after that. I can see from the underside that the sun cover can be removed from the inside of the round hinges by compressing the snap tabs. Perhaps removing the cover will get me access to the lights. Does anyone on the forum know?

The other reason to remove the compass was to inspect the steering. I can see there is a little bit of corrosion (or light-colored mold) on the outside of the chain but the joints and working surfaces seem to be OK. I will lubricate it in the spring. I'll have to see if grease or oil is recommended. I might be able to wipe some of the old greasy dirt off the chain but I can barely get my arm in there and there are a plethora of little wires for instruments, lights, and engine panel so it may not be worth the risk. I suppose I will have to use a long stick or tube to lubricate the chain if I don't get my arm in there, and if I do I'll have to do it by feel.

This work would be a lot easier if the boat had a tiller instead of a wheel, with a bulkhead-mounted compass.

Sandusky Bay and most of the area lakes and ponds are frozen, which is very early in the season for that kind of ice. Usually they don't freeze until after Christmas or in January. This weekend we're expecting a thaw, 20-30 kn winds, and maybe some rain this weekend so probably the ice will melt.

 

[jssailem]

Great write up @CapitalistSailor . You can help some of us poor readers with a picture or two. Some one once said a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[JRacer]

Removing the sun cover should allow you to access the lights.

 

[CapitalistSailor]

Great write up @CapitalistSailor . You can help some of us poor readers with a picture or two. Some one once said a picture is worth a thousand words.

Jssailem, my initial post at the top included some pictures. Was there something else you wanted to see? If the weather holds I'll drive up to the boat this week.

 

[jssailem]

The primary reasons for wanting to get the compass off are to get at the burned out lights and to inspect the steering linkage. It turns out the compass has two pairs of wires for apparently two little lights, but they are glued in with the silicone goop. I will see if I can carefully get the silicone off in the spring. I'm not sure how to get at the lights after that. I can see from the underside that the sun cover can be removed from the inside of the round hinges by compressing the snap tabs. Perhaps removing the cover will get me access to the lights. Does anyone on the forum know?

The other reason to remove the compass was to inspect the steering. I can see there is a little bit of corrosion (or light-colored mold) on the outside of the chain but the joints and working surfaces seem to be OK. I will lubricate it in the spring. I'll have to see if grease or oil is recommended. I might be able to wipe some of the old greasy dirt off the chain but I can barely get my arm in there and there are a plethora of little wires for instruments, lights, and engine panel so it may not be worth the risk. I suppose I will have to use a long stick or tube to lubricate the chain if I don't get my arm in there, and if I do I'll have to do it by feel.

CS... I highlighted the elements of your last post that caused me to suggest more images.
I live 250 miles from my boat. So I have gotten in the habit of taking pictures then thinking about the challenge, and posting the image on the Forum then asking for help. You have a beautiful Beneteau while I have 1974 CAL. Yes there are more folk who sail your boat than I have.

The interest I have is that sometimes I see a solution on your boat that I can use, or I see a solution I have used that may work for you. While descriptions are great, and your write-up of your experience getting the compass apart was good, pictures provide context for the description.

It is not for everyone. And I get that as well.

 

[RitSim]

I have a Plastimo 135 Compass and refilled it last year. That work was more extensive than this year's top off of fluid. Last year there was also water inside and some debris. Took quite a while to get compass apart and then remove the diaphragm and clean the inside of the globe with long Q-tips.

Step 1- Pry off the grey hinge screw caps.
Step 2 - Using a small screw driver UNDER the rim and in the slot, pry up the grey screw covers
Step 3 - Loosen and remove the Hinge Screws
Step 4 - Lift up the sun shade parts.- the wires cant be disconnected until the compass is removed
Step 5 - Remove the 4 Philips head screws that hold the compass down.
Step 6 - Lift the compass up and tend to the wires - cut as required.
Step 6 - Remove the two screws on the under side outer rim.
Step 7 - Using a 1/4" flat screw driver, insert into slots and gently release the plastic tabs (Mark the location of the parts before removal)
Step 8 - Remove the compass adjustment mechanism
Step 9 - My fill port screw was originally hidden under a thin plastic layer that easily chipped off to reveal the fill screw.
Step 10 - Only if necessary, remove the 8 diaphragm flange screws- I am refilling this year because the rubber did not seal completely. Removed, cleaned and added light layer of Loctite gasket sealer.
Step 11 - Using a syringe and the proper fluid, fill the fluid till full ( i ordered Ritchie compass fluid from WM). Some procedures call for freezing the compass overnight and refilling as necessary.
Step 12 - Apply thin layer of sealant to the Fill Screw threads and secure
Step - 13 reassemble remaining parts in reverse order.

 

[jssailem]

Nice visual sequence @RitSim .

 

[CapitalistSailor]

RitSim, these are fantastic pictures and very helpful. Thank you.