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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 Suunto Compass		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/07/2012 :  07:18:57  Show Profile
I've got a small Vanguard (Laser Performance) Zuma which is a Catboat, about 13 ft and a little beamier than a Laser. It's a fun boat for my 110# daughter and she regularly gets it up on plane. Puts her dad to shame in his plodding displacement hull boat.
We've had it for years and I store it in the garage loft off season. It has a bulkhead mounted Suunto gymballed compass with a 3.5" card and it helps you track and sail as there is no provision for a masttop windex.
One spring as we were commissioning it, I found that the compass stopped working. It must have frozen over the winter and the rubber seal that keeps the mineral oil inside had cracked, so all the oil ran out. Apparently, the card somehow floated in the oil so it stopped working.
I'd called a few "compass guys" around our seashore towns and none could help me, except one guy who wanted to sell me a Ritchie replacement.
Have any of you ever had this happen, and somehow filled the compass and replaced the seal? If so, what kind of oil do you buy and how do you find a rubber seal that fits perfectly? Is the seal glued on somehow?
The compass is a beauty and fits the boat perfectly. I did use a cheapy Ritchie compass in the boat in the past, but it's a bummer.
I'll post a few photos when I pull it out.
Any ideas?
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Response Posted - 10/08/2012 :  17:24:46  Show Profile
I think that is the same compass that is used on most kayaks. It is sold by Brunton in the use and has the model number 70P:
http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-70P-In-Dash-Marine-Compass/dp/B000FKRQ52

It is sold under different brands world wide, and I'm pretty sure that one of them is Suunto. Most sea kayaks have a recess made for this compass and most sea kayak retailers will have one in stock.
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts
Response Posted - 10/08/2012 :  17:45:20  Show Profile
I like the look of the black and white compass, however the Suunto was international orange and electric green with white letters and numbers. You had to wear sunglasses just to read it!!!!

Edit: the compass went with the color scheme of the boat, lines and sail. The hull is basic electric blue and white. The halyard is blue, the sheet is lime green, red Cunningham, yellow vang. Multicolor mainsail. It's a nice set up.

I'll have to take a few measurements to see whether this Brunton will fit. It basically was mounted into a 4" round inspection port mounting.
Edited by - Voyager on 10/08/2012 18:01:13
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 10/08/2012 :  18:15:02  Show Profile
Purified kerosene or high octane alcohol. Disassemble, replace gaskets and freeze liquid before adding and resealing. Keeps bubble out.

Or send it to compassrepair.com... Parts are at vikingcompass.com same people...

sten
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts
Response Posted - 10/09/2012 :  17:49:07  Show Profile
Sten
I appreciate the advice. Will try charcoal lighter or lamp oil. The freezing part makes perfect sense. Will check the replacement seal outfit. Thanks
Edited by - Voyager on 10/09/2012 17:51:15
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.