Association Forum - Replacement Compass for '81

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Replacement Compass for '81

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Member Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/05/2014 : 08:11:05

My compass finally crapped out over the weekend. It had been low on fluid for some time but I think this harsh winter put it over the top and destroyed the seal. I found fluid leaking out the back through the rubber seal.

Now for a replacement. I'm looking for an economical one that will fit the 4" diameter in the bulkhead. I can always go larger or create an adaptor to go smaller. I'd like one where the fluid can be added (the old one was permanently sealed). Any suggestions? Oh, and by the way, anyone know what degree angle the bulkhead is slanted? I didn't have anything with me this weekend to measure. Thanks!

Good to be back at sea!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 05:35:41

When my compass gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a Plastimo Mini Contest compass.

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 05:44:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 When my compass gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a Plastimo Mini Contest compass.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for your input. The specs say the mounting area cannot be greater than 5 degrees for the Plastimo. I like the features better than the Ritchie but was concerned with that slope. Is our bulk head <5? I would have thought it greater.

Edited by - RAG Sailor on 05/06/2014 05:48:51

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 07:11:16

I have the Plastimo Mini Contest 101 model which can be mounted up to 15 degrees from vertical.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 07:44:06

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 08:49:44

I just looked up the Plastimo on their website and used their e-catalogue http://plastimo.com/en/
They list two compasses, Mini Contest and Contest 101. The latter is not referred to as "mini". The Mini Contest is for vertical bulkhead while the Contest 101 can go vertical or 10-25 degrees (that's right off the manufacturer's website info). Dan, I am assuming you have the Contest 101.

Edited by - on

sailorbaz
1st Mate

Members Avatar

Australia
26 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2014 : 15:37:01

I replaced my old Suunto, which was so crazed you couldn't read it, with a Contest 101.
It fitted straight into the hole but had to elongate the screw holes slightly.
Sailorbaz

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2014 : 08:02:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sailorbaz
 I replaced my old Suunto, which was so crazed you couldn't read it, with a Contest 101.
It fitted straight into the hole but had to elongate the screw holes slightly.
Sailorbaz
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for the input. I'm dealing with a 4" diameter so if any modifications are needed it should be minimal.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 16:58:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RAG Sailor
 Dan, I am assuming you have the Contest 101.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You know, I'm not sure which one I have now??? Truthfully, I installed it maybe a decade ago and the cover only comes off once or twice a year when checking it periodically. I've never really used it.

Edited by - on

indyshelley
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 20:00:59

I replaced my compass with this deck plate from WM. It lets some light into the galley area, can be opened for more ventilation and can be used to pass things in/out of the boat when hatch boards are in. I didn't need a compass since I sail a small lake. It was about $15

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2014 : 20:49:48

Cool! Never thought of it. I'm on a lake too where I see land at all times. Do you have that plate on both sides?

Edited by - on

indyshelley
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2014 : 18:42:49

The plate is only on the outside. The bulkhead was solid in this area. I sanded a small radius on the inside. I'm thinking about finding a hinged brass port hole frame to really finish it out. I forgot to mention the biggest advantage of this mod.....It allows one to lay against the bulk head while lounging in the cockpit. The compass was just in the way.

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2014 : 12:38:20

Anybody familiar with the Nexus Silva 100 B/H compass? I came across it on a Google search. It protrudes out of the b/h less than an inch which is no more than my depth meter situated right below my current compass. It mounts on any incline and requires @ 4.5" cut out. The cost is half of the Plastimo Contest 101. For lake sailing it seems ideal. Anybody?

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5369 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 07:06:02

I like the porthole idea. Seems vintage pirate-y!
But I can't give up my compass. How would I be able to chart my dead reckoning in the fog???
The Silva sounds like a good idea tho - recessed. Wonder whether you can read it on an angle? Thinking from the starboard cockpit seat.

Edited by - Voyager on 05/16/2014 07:08:00

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 07:31:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I like the porthole idea. Seems vintage pirate-y!
But I can't give up my compass. How would I be able to chart my dead reckoning in the fog???
The Silva sounds like a good idea tho - recessed. Wonder whether you can read it on an angle? Thinking from the starboard cockpit seat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm not endorsing nor decided to buy it from this place, but this site shows a good description: http://www.chicagomarineelectronics.com/Nexus%20100%20BH%20Silva%20Marine%20Compass.htm

Given the size of our cockpit and where the helmsman sits, I can't imagine it not being visible. Even with a tiller extender I am never more than halfway forward of the stern. I'm going out to my boat tonight and will take a look from all angles and post my findings.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 08:38:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 But I can't give up my compass. How would I be able to chart my dead reckoning in the fog???
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 09:44:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 But I can't give up my compass. How would I be able to chart my dead reckoning in the fog???
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My iPhone won't completely cover the gaping hole in my bulkhead. If I had an Addam's Family Thing that could hold the handheld from inside the cabin through the hole, that might work but might scare the crap out of my passengers. RAG Sail II may be old but I do want to keep her looking purtty!

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5369 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2014 : 19:43:01

Hahahaha ....the iPhone would look kinda cool there for a while . . . do they come in polished brass? I was looking at my compass today and imagined the Hellas version there. It'd be pretty nice.

Edited by - on

RAG Sailor
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 11:56:28

Received my new compass this weekend. I didn't have time to install it but it is exactly what I wanted. It can be installed at any angle and protrudes out of the bulkhead less than an inch. And yes, it can be seen anywhere inside the cockpit. It is lighted for night navigation and the liquid is refillable.

Here's the thing, I bought it on EBay. It's brand new. The owner had two of them. The runner up did not want the other (nor did I need it). I told the owner I would post it on our Sale section of the forum. Anyone interested, look over there for the details.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2014 : 12:47:02

A quick search on the internet for that Nexus compass came up with that it is sold in Europe and is hard to find a dealer in the U.S so I guess you got lucky on EBay. Glad it will fit and it looks good too.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.