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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Replacement for bulkhead compass?

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/06/2013 : 17:28:16

I recently broke my bulkhead compass (see pic below). There's a hinged illumination hood above the compass ball, and I accidentally hit it with my heel when getting off the cabin top.

I initially started looking for a direct replacement, but Aqua Meter has been bought out and it's discontinued. I don't ever use the compass anyway - it was put there when the boat was new and had tiller steering. When a PO installed the wheel, he put a nice Binnacle compass in.

So I'm wondering what else I might put there. It could be something as simple as a piece of starboard, or maybe a cowl vent. Any suggestions?

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Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2013 : 19:25:30

hmmmm... 4.5" hole? Need any new electronics?

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2013 : 20:48:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by shnool
 hmmmm... 4.5" hole? Need any new electronics?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've flirted with the idea of an electronic wind gauge, but the bulkhead would not be the right place for the display with wheel steering. I'm keeping an eye out for the newly redesigned Sailtimer Bluetooth wind sensor, but it doesn't come with a display, just a Bluetooth output that displays on a computer or iPad.

So yes, I basically have a 4.5" hole to cover up. Maybe some kind of waterproof cockpit light for lounging around at night - and providing greater visibility at anchor?

In the picture you'll see the depth meter on the starboard side. What you can't see is that I wired that to the autopilot console on the starboard coaming so I can have a second display when passengers are blocking my view of that location.

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/06/2013 20:50:17

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1787 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 07:06:59

One other solution is looking at the TackTick line of wireless instruments. I know people who have had them for a number of years and say they work great. One additional advantage is you can easily move/remount them if you determine the original position is not ergonomically ideal.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 08:00:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigelowp
 One other solution is looking at the TackTick line of wireless instruments. I know people who have had them for a number of years and say they work great. One additional advantage is you can easily move/remount them if you determine the original position is not ergonomically ideal.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've looked at them before, but $1300???

The one I'm interested in has a pre-order special of $350, but not sure it will be shipping before I raise my mast for next season.

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/07/2013 08:50:01

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4306 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 09:26:25

Add a little light and ventilation.

[url="http://www.pompanette.com/pomp.nsf/0/26EA5F5BDB98B3B78525781D007CD07B?Open"]Bomar[/url]

or if the opening goes thru to the head

[url="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-5-in-Fresh-Air-Vent-FAV5/100119472#.UqNQQfRDuSo"]OR[/url]

Edited by - GaryB on 12/07/2013 09:46:27

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 09:29:21

Does that hole go all the way into the head? It could be the source of some great fun with GOOD friends.

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Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 10:51:26

solar vent. Chief

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2013 : 16:27:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chief RA
 solar vent. Chief
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think solar vents need to be mounted horizontal to get enough sunlight. There might also be leakage problems with a non-horizontal mount.

Now that I think of it, I might not want a vent of any type. I have a dehumidifier running 24/7 when that boat is docked with shore power. It has been very effective at keeping humidity down below 50% with the boat sealed up. Drawing in humid outside air would be exactly the wrong thing to do.

One way to patch the hole but keep my options open for the future would be a screw-on deck plate. However, I'd need to find one small enough to fit without enlarging the hole, since that's the last thing I'd want to do:

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FYI, the hole does go all the way through into the head, and the back sides for both the port compass and the starboard depth finder are covered by a cup-shaped cover that mounts over the hole in the interior liner. In fact, that could possibly be used as a little storage cubby behind the deck plate.

Edited by - TakeFive on 12/07/2013 17:14:13

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2013 : 12:43:24

Takefive: I have a business address to send a compass for repair if you want it. You could at least see what they would charge. Chief

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2013 : 15:37:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chief RA
 Takefive: I have a business address to send a compass for repair if you want it. You could at least see what they would charge. Chief
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I don't think there is a part available to repair it. The compass itself is fine. The part that broke is just he swiveling hood that contains the light. The hinged areas are thin plastic, which probably became brittle after years of UV exposure. They just snapped off.

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Edited by - TakeFive on 12/10/2013 15:55:18

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2013 : 15:52:43

Takefive: If you want to check with them here is the info. The company is, The Rule Group, Cape Ann Industrial Park, Gloucester,Ma,01930 and you can call 1-617-272-7400. Chief

Edited by - Chief RA on 12/11/2013 06:23:27

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2013 : 11:10:47

Since there's nothing I want to put in that space, I think I'm going to glue the hood directly to the spherical glass using hot melt glue to fill the gap. I won't be able to swivel the hood, but there's no need to do that anyway. That will basically maintain the status quo until I decide what else I might want to do.

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