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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Compass mounting

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sailorstanb
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/30/2002 : 15:51:35

Kind folks:
I'm commissioning a newly-purchased '84 C-25 that has a cheap compass mounted on a cut-down lower hatch board. This configuration doesn't allow a neat way to wire a new compass for a night light. The standard mounting on the bulkhead on either side of the hatch is the obvious choice... but I'm wondering: Why not mount it on the small bulkhead beneath the hatch (I think it's called the bridge deck?) That way I could see it equally well from either side. One problem might be a leak into the cabin if I ever took a lot of green water in the cockpit. But a good seal on a bulkhead mount compass would likely reduce or eliminate that problem.
Any thoughts, suggestions or prior experience would be greatly appreciated.
Stan Brown
sv Knight Flight #4641

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 16:33:10

Stan - I had the same conundrum. I didn't want to mount it below the companionway on the bridge deck (too mush risk of someone stepping on it), nor did I want to cut a hole thru' the bulkhead on either side of the companionway (makes reclining in the cockpit enjoying a glass of wine a painful experience!). I found a compass mount at JSI (designed for a J-22) that mounts in the slot in the mast (below the gooseneck)and the compass mounts to this. It is visible from anywhere in the cockpit and is out of the way. I wired it into the running lights. I think it was about $34.
Derek on "This Side Up"

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 17:15:12

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I found a compass mount at JSI (designed for a J-22) that mounts in the slot in the mast (below the gooseneck)and the compass mounts to this. It is visible from anywhere in the cockpit<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Your compass must have a very large card to read the degrees from 12 feet away.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 21:30:22

Don - yes it does! Red letters/numbers on a white horizontal card.
I think it's a Platismo brand. The crew can read it from either side of the cockpit as the vang is always to one side or the other of it.
Derek

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 21:59:12

Don - on second thoughts, where do you steer your boat from? Standing on the transom? The compass face is 6" aft of the boom, the boom is 10' long and the helmsman normally sits at least 6" forward of the boom end - that makes the compass 9' away....much easier seen than from 12'<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Derek

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 22:15:53

Stan

My compass is mounted under the access hatch, It has a wire cage to protect it from being accidently stepped on.

No problems

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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 22:22:43

Hey Guys' I've got a question about a compass I just received. It's a Platismo Contest 100. It is much larger than the one I have now. Which is mounted in the 'wine drinking back rest' <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

I'd like to put the larger one in the same spot but this compass also has the angle of heel scale on it so should be mounted as close to horizontal as possible to let it swing. The instructions say it can be mounted up to 25% pitch. I've seen the teak wedges that some have used to do this but I'm not sure I like the look of such a bulky mount. Does anyone else have this compass mounted in that location without the wedge? and does it still swing ok? Thanks in advance

Mark-
<img src="http://personal.jax.bellsouth.net/jax/l/c/lchaplin/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 22:29:41

Derek,

You did say, "It is visible from anywhere in the cockpit".<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Also, according to the Catalina Parts Manual, the boom extrusion is 11' long.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

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allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2002 : 23:43:46

Mark,

I have the Contest (I think it's the 100- I know it's larger than the 101) mounted on the bulkhead with no wedge. It functions well there, but I admit I don't watch the inclinometer much, primarily because it is difficult to read given the placement of the compass' running light. Does yours look like mine in that respect?

Good luck,

<img src="http://home.ptd.net/~allencl/pics/compass.jpg" border=0>

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2002 : 00:29:33

Don - touche!!<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
Derek

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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2002 : 00:34:58

Hi Chris,
Yep that's it. I'm not too concerned about reading the gauge, more I just want to be sure that the pivot pin for the card doesn't bind and hold the card tight. Since you have not had a problem it must be ok. Thanks

Mark-
<img src="http://personal.jax.bellsouth.net/jax/l/c/lchaplin/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 00:10:00

Chris,

I believe that the compass ring on your boat has been mounted upside down. I have a Suunto bulkhead mount compass that is almost identical to the one in your post except mine has the ring turned 180 degrees so the light is shining down on the card when turned on. I also looked around the internet and couldn't find a picture of the Plastimo Contest 100, but the 101 has the ring with the light pointing downward and I looked at other brands of bulkhead mount compasses and I didn't find one with the light source coming from the bottom. Additionally, I don't believe a compass manufacturer would design a compass with a light source that would partially block the compass card as well as block the inclinometer.

What do you think?

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 09:00:11

Have the exact same compass. Looks like its mounted properly. Otherwise all the lettering on the ring would be upside down. Not to mention the logo on the plastic cover (not shown in photo) would also be upside down. The light below throws more than enough shine to view the compass at night.

DW

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 11:03:55

Chris, Mark, and Duane,

I stand corrected.<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle> I finally found a picture of the Plastimo Contest 100 and yes it does have the light source in front as in Chris' picture. According to this website, Plastimo made three versions of the Contest 100, the standard version, a tactical version, and an inclined version for mounting on a bulkhead inclined by 10° to 25° from vertical. The site states that for the inclined version, "The card remains fully efficient, even with a very high angle of pitch". Here is the link if you want to check it out.
http://soft.donbass.com/igor/YACHTA1/cntst100.htm

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - DLUCIER on 04/01/2002 11:07:14

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allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 11:24:14

Don,

There are actually two lights on the compass I have: the plastic housing that you can see at the bottom of the compass holds a light that illuminates the side of the card and then there is a second one mounted in back and on top of the compass for illuminating the top of the card. Thanks for the link and comments...

Happy sailing,

-Chris on "SPIRIT" C25 SR WK #5644

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 11:50:43

Chris,

Yes, I did read that it had double lighting, front and top(cool idea) and that it also had, "Double reading: from cockpit and from cabin". Does this mean that it is visible from the inside of the boat? And if so, is it like having a mini skylight(even cooler idea)!<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 15:55:04

Check the tech topics section. I remember seeing someone post photos of a hinged mount for their compass. It was mounted inside the cabin on a hinged mount that could be swung into the companionway when needed but remained inside the cabin when not in use.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 16:42:30

Don Lucier,

I have one of the Plastimo Contest bulkhead compasses. Yes, it can be read from both sides, although the heading seen from inside the cabin is 180 degrees out (well, your head is facing aft from that viewpoint, right?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>). And yes it admits light through the bulkhead. The incoming sunlight is tinted a light clear blue color, very pretty. Mine has the night light hidden in the top. I wired it to the red/green/white nav light switch. By mounting the compass high and inboard, I was able to preserve the critical lounging backrest feature of the Catalina slanted bulkhead, as well as keeping the compass closer to the helmsperson's line of sight. Overall, I'm very pleased with the compass.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2002 : 19:05:45

Mark,
I have a Plastimo Contest for the 10-25 degree inclined bulkhead, but my measurements indicated the bulkhead was about a 31 degree angle, so I made a fiberglass wedge using a tupperware-like container for a mold. Turned out like this-
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/compass1.jpg" border=0>
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/compass2.jpg" border=0>

Actually, I made two in case I screwed one up. But I didn't so I still have the second one. If you want it I'll mail it to you for the price of postage.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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DaleV
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2002 : 22:29:31

I have the same compass. Does anyone have trouble with thiers leaking? Mine leaks fluid out as the temp warms up. I refilled it with kerosene last year and put in new o-ring washer, but it still keeps weeping just a little at a time.
Thanks
Dale

SK/SR #4382

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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2002 : 23:22:14

Thanks John,
I'll take it! I'll contact you via e-mail.

Dale, I have the same problem with mine. I took it with me last year to install during the season but was concerned about the wedge situation. Anyway when I got home I noticed an air bubble in it, and a small amount of fluid in the box. I thought maybe the seal had ruptured because my slip is at 7000 feet and I live at 1200 feet. I spoke to the original owner and he said that it had done that to him also, but that he just re-filled it when needed. I think it has something to do with the expansion diaphragm fitted between the two half compass spheres (as noted in the manual). It is designed to prevent bubbles forming because of temperature swings. The range is 20F-140F. I just figured that the altitude change was too much for it. Do think that yours may have exceeded the 140F? I know that's high but it could be possible in direct sunlight.

Mark-
<img src="http://personal.jax.bellsouth.net/jax/l/c/lchaplin/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN

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