My original compass has had it after 39 years so need to replace. Ritchie makes a ton of different types. Anyone know which one is original to this boat. Want to get a correct fit without drilling new holes, making other mods, etc. This is flush mount in Edson pedestal.
O'Day 28 Ritchie Compass
- Thread starter odaydokay
- Start date
My O’Day 322 has a Ritchie Power Damp…mounted in the binnacle. I would guess around 4” diameter. I see that the make a 4.5” model….
www.fisheriessupply.com
What is wrong with the old one? The fluid can be refilled if it has an air bubble (see my video below). The plastic spacer that mine sits on had yellowed quite a bit, so I painted it white to match the pedestal. Looks pretty good now…
Here is the refill video…
Greg
Navigator Flush Mount Compasses - 4-1/2" Dial - Ritchie Navigation | Fisheries Supply
Save More on Your Ritchie Navigation Navigator Flush Mount Compasses - 4-1/2" Dial at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!
www.fisheriessupply.com
What is wrong with the old one? The fluid can be refilled if it has an air bubble (see my video below). The plastic spacer that mine sits on had yellowed quite a bit, so I painted it white to match the pedestal. Looks pretty good now…
Here is the refill video…
Greg
39 years is pretty good service. I'm pretty sure it's off warantee.
I think the best way to do a part to part swap is to take the old part out, inspect it for any part, model or serial number. Measure it. And the contact the manufacturer to see if there is a drop in replacement.
In today's world, drop in replacements are becoming more rare. I have been amazed at how often I observe buyers of electronics find out that the new stuff doesn't fit the old cutouts. The auto industry standardized radio mounts decades ago. The marine industry hasn't done as well. I once asked a buyer what the reason he bought the chart ploter he did, and his answer was it fit the cut out that existed. He didn't even particularly like the brand.
I think the best way to do a part to part swap is to take the old part out, inspect it for any part, model or serial number. Measure it. And the contact the manufacturer to see if there is a drop in replacement.
In today's world, drop in replacements are becoming more rare. I have been amazed at how often I observe buyers of electronics find out that the new stuff doesn't fit the old cutouts. The auto industry standardized radio mounts decades ago. The marine industry hasn't done as well. I once asked a buyer what the reason he bought the chart ploter he did, and his answer was it fit the cut out that existed. He didn't even particularly like the brand.
There are some outfits that will rebuild them.
In fact, Ritchie has a factory rebuild program… Pricey, but way less than a new compass. You need to verify your compass can be remanufactured as they seem to have stopped doing some compasses.
Factory Reconditioning Program - Ritchie Navigation
IMPORTANT UPDATE:Ritchie Navigation is no longer offering our factory refurbishment program on Helmsman, Voyager, Explorer, or Sport series compasses. A break-down of specific model numbers we no longer work on can be found “here”. In addition, direct or the closest replacements to your compass...
www.ritchienavigation.com
Greg
I necked the size of the Ritchie Powerdamp on my O’Day 322, and is about 6” diameter, 20” circumference.
a bit hard to measure In place due to the bubble… and as I look at the Ritchie units, I am not sure what exactly they measure…the entire compass housing or just the “card”.
There are only 3 screws that hold it on the binnacle, so you should be able to remove those, pull the compass and check for an ID tag.
Greg
a bit hard to measure In place due to the bubble… and as I look at the Ritchie units, I am not sure what exactly they measure…the entire compass housing or just the “card”.
There are only 3 screws that hold it on the binnacle, so you should be able to remove those, pull the compass and check for an ID tag.
Greg
As someone who hates waste, I'd certainly see if it could be salvaged. You can try Viking instruments in Kingston, MA and Dave Witherhill in Cumberland, Maine.
Pulled mine off my 1981 O'Day 34. It's a model SP-5, serial # A81which is a 5" Globemaster. The screw above the label is where oil is put in. Richie sells the oil for it on their site and can supply several smaller seals, but you have to call to get the seals ordered.
I finally took it off. It's an HF-73, no longer made, of course, but my sense is all it needs is a lube job so to speak (fluid refill) and there is a Richie listed service place two towns away so I will give that a go. Hate to scrap it and hate more to start boring new holes.
Adding fluid is not too difficult. I used a child’s medicine syringe to fill mine up. The hole was relatively small.