Compass

[sawyer]

I looked into the archives for compass info.  I'm trying to decide on what kind of mount to get.  I'm a little concerned about top mounting one, and how can I make it level without a teak block? seems like I'm always dropping something too. The bracket mount might be ok on the bulkhead,  but could catch on lines etc, and the bulkhead flush mount means cutting another hole.  The latter seems to be the best idea, what have others done or recommend??  Thanks for any input.  Doug

[Craig]

I have a Plastimo Mini-Contest mounted in the bulkhead. Check out this link: http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d3000/e1872.asp
It shows a mast mounted bracket and says it is no longer available. The new catalog has a new part number (with a new and much higher price!) PL14077 and it says it is in stock. I wih I had seen this before I cut a hole in the bulkhead.

Craig

[sawyer]

Thanks Craig..    I just ordered the Mini-Contest from Mari-Safe,  I will decide how to mount it when I get it, maybe a teak box or something like that, we will see.  Appreciate your input.                    Doug

[jhopps]

Here is what I did...

I don't remember what model compass I bought but it was about 4-6 inch
Plasmo something, about $100 bucks, it floated in water inside a sphere.
I mounted in a teakwood box and attached Box to the wooden mast support inside the cabin. On the bottom of the Box I mounted my marine radio.

While sailing with the companionway open you can see the compass from
the cockpit very well.

[Craig]

That's a great idea.  Does the vhf effect the compass at all? Do you have electric to it so you can see it at night?

Craig

[jhopps]

Yes it is lighted.  I installed a Marine Battery way up front at the bow of the boat. THen used regular three conductor (black, white, green) house Cableing throughtout the boat from there. to forward and rear running lights and used a flush mount conector thru the deck at the mast step to connect to the Masthead Light mounted a little more than half way up the mast.  Everything goes thru a switch panel which I also mounted in the Teakwood Box.  I got a small Battery Charger (about 4 inches square) which I picked up for a few dollars at a garrage sale that I leave attached to the Battery and a 25 foot extension cord to plug in at the dock when the battery needs to be charged.

[Craig Weis]

Influence of a lighted compass on the compass card [magnetic feild] using D/C battery power can be nullified simply by twisting the wires, alot.

What I did was to cut about 20 foot of blk and red~18 ga wire and clamp these into the vice. The other end I chucked into my electric drill, pulled on the wires and wound these up tight. Then used what I needed and saved the rest. skip.

[jhopps]

Skip is correct I believe about the wires.  I did not do this and as far
as I know I did not have any problem with my compass.  I did do comparison check of my readings from several locations and it was accurate to a few degrees which was the best I could get when I set the
compass up according to the instructions that came with it.  I wanted the compass because I was sailing on Lake Sinclair in Detroit,MI.  One of my
favorite daysails was to sail out to the Lighthouse in the middle of the Shipping channel from the Nine Mile Tower.  It took about 3hrs to get to it
which was do to the last mile or so sailing agains't the channel currentl.
If I remember right, it was about 5 or 6 miles.

[sawyer]

Thanks for all the replies and the info.  I do like the box idea. but I think with the type of sailing I hope to do,  some Great Lakes bays and maybe the north channel of Huron, I will want to have the compass out where I can see it and also be able to batten the hatch and wood door together for some watertight integrity.  You never know when you'll take a wave.  I have my vhf mounted just inside the hatch on the right, screw in the same place as the teak hatch slide, and with the small space between the two I should be able to keep the mike available.  However, that may be have to be moved out too, maybe in a teak box on the bulkhead to protect it from the weather, tho ICOM says its waterproof.  I will be doing a lot of single handing and am just trying to set this 16 up with everything the most convenient and practical way.  I anchored out this week and went below to take a nap, but when I was below, the bow seemed to set low in the water and I was napping head downhill "so to speak"  I set up some cushions and napped up in the cockpit, plenty long and almost wide enough, seemed to be comfortable, we'll keep trying until I have it right.  Great boat, very fun to sail, and the complements, WOW, people love the look of the little thing.   Yet Un-named.

Doug[/b]

[Craig]

If you are a woodworker there is one more mounting option that will keep you from cutting a hole in a bulkhed. Some have made new drop boards and mounted the compass in the lower board. Obviously this means going from the one hatch board to two or three, but the advantage is you can mount the compass on a removable board, and with multiple drop boards you still have access to the cabin. If you need to button her up you can and still have the compass out. If you dock it in a slip you can put in a blank board and not have to worry about a compass cover or a leaky gasket.

Craig

[frjeff]

I did somewhat as did Craig, however I mad an separate unit.

I bought a Ritchie Explorer, surface mount compass.

Then I purchased some 4" wide, 1/2 inch Poplar  from Home Depot (about $3.50 for a four foot piece). I traced the curvature of the bottom hatch board onto the Poplar and cut it out. This pirce slides neatly to the bottom of the companionway.

On the top edge of this peice, I cut the  angle needed to level the top. I than cut and sculpted another 4" piece and glued it to the top angled cut of the bottom piece. (Visualize a "T" if viewed from the end, but the bottom leg of the "T" is angled)

Some sanding, stain and coats of varnish and this piece slides to the bottom of the companionway hatch and looks like it came from the factory designers.

The compass is mounted dead center athwartship and sits level. It is easily removed, but rarely is,  as it is nothing to step over.

I'll try to post some pics.

Here's a picture of final fitting: http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/data/thumbnails/8/IMG_0171.jpg