Association Forum

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

compass

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

georgiaboater
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
72 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/07/2005 : 23:12:36

Need some help.

I bought one of the fine compasses that are in the CD catalog.

After a long period...box unopened, i finally got around to attempting to mount it. I discovered to my dismay that the instructions call for me to cut a hole in the back of the cabin to mount it and then seal with 52 or something. Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternative means of mounting to avoid hacking the back of my cabin...or assuming CD would take it back...another brand or model that would mount in a more straight forward manner.

Marshall P

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2005 : 23:31:28

Send it back and get a GPS. there are surface mount choices and you get a knot meter for free!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2005 : 23:36:13

Make a 'dummy' bottom hatchboard... mount the compass in that and insert when you want/need it.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 09:27:15

Or... you could sell it to me. I already have a large hole in the back of the cabin and no compass to put in there. Drop me an e-mail if you decide to go that route.
Dan

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

Members Avatar

Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 10:42:24

Is this the Suunto? I bought one of them to replace a frosted Danforth on Ebay and they are great. The cutaway mount allows you to adjust the compass for deviation, and to power the LED. It does ruin using the bulkhead as a back rest, although for me the hole was already there.

I find the bulkhead compass indispensible for tacking. I can hold a bearing that will keep me at the same relative angle to the wind that is unaffected by current, which is a big thing on the Saint Lawrence. My GPS will indicate true which isn't the same. There are many other types of compass that can be mounted elsewhere without penetrating the bulkhead and can be easily removed from the mount for same storage.

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 10:59:07

Frank, I would never not have a compass in the boat. Electronic equipment can fail for a variety of reasons, but the earth's magnetic field is going to be there (despite evidence that the poles will reverse in the next ten thousand years or so).

Brooke

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 17:35:56

I have Ritchie bulkhead mounted compass which is installed in a solid teak compass box (drilled to accept the compass)which is affixed to the bulkhead. The interior is finished with a square piece of teak.

The compass does somewhat get in the way of using the bulkhead as a backrest but I use a floatation cushion to solve that problem.

A bulkhead mounted compass is great for tacking and piloting. I find that steering by GPS compass has a time lag and/or is too sensitive for good tracking.

At any rate, whether or not you have GPS, you really need a good compass aboard. If you don't want to install one get a top notch hockey puck type hand bearing compass which will probably cost more than your bulkhead model.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 21:41:34

Just the other day at my marina, a sailor asked me if I knew of a place to take his malfunctioning compass from his newly aquired Grampian 26 for repair because the card on it was stuck.

As I looked into his cockpit, I turned to him and said, "It might be stuck because your stereo speaker is mounted 2 inches from your compass!"

He said he would probably live with the stuck compass since he uses the speakers more than his compass.

Edited by - dlucier on 06/08/2005 21:43:02

georgiaboater
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2005 : 21:59:39

It is a Suunto.

Thanks for all your tips.

I think you guys have given me some good ideas for mounting or getting a replacement easier to mount model.......I would consider selling if CD will not take it back

Edited by - on

adamb
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2005 : 20:15:39

I am replacing my bulkhead mounted compass with a new Danforth.
Anybody know the angle of inclination of the bulkhead? the Danforth works up to 25 degrees...

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 21:57:36

In these days of electronic navigation aids, I offer the following advice:
Own and know how to use a compass. Own and know how to use charts. They are the simplest and most reliable methods available.

Bob

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 22:51:17

I have a Plastimo contest 101 compass mounted in the cockpit bulkhead. Yes, I did cut a hole, no big deal. I like this compass because you can read it from the inside of the boat too, and it looks really neat. It also gives you the heel angle.
Unfortunately it is French, but I'm trying to forget that fact.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2005 : 00:07:21

If y'all don't want to cut holes in the cockpit bulkhead, either JSL or LayLine sells a mast mount.
Derek

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2005 : 00:34:38

I also have a Plastimo Contest 101 bulkhead mounted compass, and am very pleased with it.

I mounted it as high and inboard as practical, and find that it misses most of my bones when leaning back on the bulkhead. One or two of those square throwable PFD cushions stratigically placed can completely eliminate any lump in the back problems while lounging. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">He said he would probably live with the stuck compass since he uses the speakers more than his compass.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good grief. Did he also remove his VHF so he'd have room to mount the stereo??

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Budzeemer
Deckhand

Members Avatar

3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2005 : 19:40:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Leon Sisson
 I also have a Plastimo Contest 101 bulkhead mounted compass, and am very pleased with it.

I mounted it as high and inboard as practical, and find that it misses most of my bones when leaning back on the bulkhead. One or two of those square throwable PFD cushions stratigically placed can completely eliminate any lump in the back problems while lounging. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">He said he would probably live with the stuck compass since he uses the speakers more than his compass.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good grief. Did he also remove his VHF so he'd have room to mount the stereo??

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

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2005 : 19:48:42

just get out the hole saw and start cutting! Once you cut one hole in the boat it get easier. I have a 4 inch knot meter on port and compass on starboard. Also big 5 1/4 inch holes for stereo speakers in the cockpit. I've also changed the interior quite a bit.

You'll love having a properly mounted compass, unless you're just some lake sailor, even then it improves the boat. Do hook up the compass night light to the bow light circuit.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2005 : 20:00:12

"unless you're just some lake sailor"
Jim - tsk, tsk....

Derek

Edited by - on

Budzeemer
Deckhand

Members Avatar

3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2005 : 19:57:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gloss
 I have a Plastimo contest 101 compass mounted in the cockpit bulkhead. Yes, I did cut a hole, no big deal. I like this compass because you can read it from the inside of the boat too, and it looks really neat. It also gives you the heel angle.
Unfortunately it is French, but I'm trying to forget that fact.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Budzeemer
Deckhand

Members Avatar

3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2005 : 20:02:37

[quote]Originally posted by Gloss
 I have a Plastimo contest 101 compass mounted in the cockpit bulkhead. Yes, I did cut a hole, no big deal. I like this compass because you can read it from the inside of the boat too, and it looks really neat. It also gives you the heel angle.
Unfortunately it is French, but I'm trying to forget that fact.

Does the Plastimo Contest 101 compass work properly? I inquired with Plastimo and they stated that the incline mount angle of the 101 is limited to 25-degrees. The Catalina 25 bulkhead looks to be about 30-degrees. Did cutting through both bulkhead skins pose any problems with mounting the compass?

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2005 : 13:13:51

I made a wood base out of mahogany to offset the angle of the bulkhead.

I can also use the compass as an arm rest.

I like the compass over the GPS for setting up tacking angles even though I am just one of Jim's lake sailors. I'm sure that Jim didn't mean any harm by his comment.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2005 : 15:24:48

Hey Ed,
Nice looking compass mount.
I didn't notice the thing on the instructions which said that the bulkhead must be 25 degrees. I also haven't noticed the compass not working either, but I have only done one crossing with it, and I must admit I was using the GPS chartplotter anyways. I must learn how to correct for deviation, and all that stuff, but the instructions didn't address that, and the Plastimo people aren't being very helpful either when I called them (but the compass is French)

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2005 : 18:46:00

I had TapPlastic fab a mount based on my mock-up. It hooks on the bottom of the companionway, below the splashboard slots, so I can install it or not. I needed it in the fog on Saturday. It is not wired. Cost $35.

I found that if I put it in the center it was too close to the electrical panel under the sink and I got some deviation effect. By pushing it all the way to the right it is less. I need to swingship some day and create a deviation chart.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

Members Avatar

793 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2005 : 20:03:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Send it back and get a GPS. there are surface mount choices and you get a knot meter for free!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 
Oops, batteries died, now I wonder where I’m heading?

Where is that North Star?

To avoid that… have a compass.
On my Tanzer, I had a compass mounted on an extra hatch board, worked great and avoided a hole in the bulkhead.

Edited by - on

georgiaboater
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 00:26:05

Jim

Looks great mounted...thanks for posting the photos...and thanks to everyone again for their current thoughts.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 09:53:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John G-
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Send it back and get a GPS. there are surface mount choices and you get a knot meter for free!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oops, batteries died, now I wonder where I’m heading?

Where is that North Star?

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

Here I am!

That's the great thing about a compass...it'll work even with a dead battery.

Edited by - dlucier on 10/25/2005 09:54:04

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2005 : 22:05:46

I like having a big ol' compass...even though I'm just a lake sailor.

I know that the best tack back to the marina against the current that runs through the channel is 220 degrees. Being on a lake, I seldom use my ever present GPS, except when i want to mark a good anchor spot or when I need to know how fast I'm going.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

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.