Second Compass?

[Bob Herrick]

The compass on our Ty Senior is mounted on the starboard side making it difficult to see on the windward side on a port tack while at the helm. For general mucking about it's not a deal but when trying to maintain a course it's a pain.

Maybe it's just my mid-fifties eyesight. I'm curious whether anyone else is bothered by this and what solution, if any, was implemented. I considered installing a port bulkhead compass but the power box is on the other side and would interfere.

Bob Herrick



rherrick01@earthlink.net

[Will W.]

My CD25 had a Genie compass mounted on the port bulkhead when I got her last year. You could not see through the plastic and the oil was long gone. I had noticed a little shelf that had obviously been put there by someone for some reason on the back of the bottom most companionway board. It took me a while to realize that the person must have mounted a second compass there. The little screw holes on the shelf and the fact that the bulkhead compass was useless led me to this conclusion. So I put a surface mount compass on the little shelf and turn the companionway door around so that it is facing the cockpit when I am sailing. It is right in the middle of the cockpit and visible from both sides, no problem. When I'm done I turn the board back around and lock up. The other part here is that I think mounting the compass too close to the circuit panel may in fact interfere. I think that is why the previous owner never cared for or replaced the bulkhead compass. My only problem now is to figure out what to do with the hole in my bulkhead. Good luck

Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25

The compass on our Ty Senior is mounted on the starboard side making it difficult to see on the windward side on a port tack while at the helm. For general mucking about it's not a deal but when trying to maintain a course it's a pain.

Maybe it's just my mid-fifties eyesight. I'm curious whether anyone else is bothered by this and what solution, if any, was implemented. I considered installing a port bulkhead compass but the power box is on the other side and would interfere.

Bob Herrick

willwheatley@starpower.net

[Ken Cave]

Why not invest in a decent GPS? Has a great compass built in-and easy to store when not in use!

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale



bcave@whidbey.net

[Will W.]

A GPS is certianly handy,no doubt. This could take the place of a compass, but Bob will still need to mount it somewhere. BTW don't leave the old compass at home. They work without batteries and generally don't fall overboard.

Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25

Why not invest in a decent GPS? Has a great compass built in-and easy to store when not in use!

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale

willwheatley@starpower.net

[Neil Gordon]

>>Why not invest in a decent GPS? Has a great compass built in...<<

You can navigate yourself to death with electronics. The "no batteries required" approach will get you there and back safely. You can do really well with a compass, chart and a hunk of lead on a long line.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Bruce Bett]

I ran into a guy a few years ago on lake Erie who had made a little half hexagon pedestal from teak, and mounted it in the center of the bulkhead of the bridge deck. It ran up from the cockpit sole high enough so that the top of the compass was just below the bridge deck. Looked sharp and was very well located. This was on a CD25, but I think it could work on any of the smaller CDs.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD25 #496

The compass on our Ty Senior is mounted on the starboard side making it difficult to see on the windward side on a port tack while at the helm. For general mucking about it's not a deal but when trying to maintain a course it's a pain.

Maybe it's just my mid-fifties eyesight. I'm curious whether anyone else is bothered by this and what solution, if any, was implemented. I considered installing a port bulkhead compass but the power box is on the other side and would interfere.

Bob Herrick

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Ken Cave]

You have not sailed in the Northwest! I agree with you that a compass is the most important tool on board-but two? In the San Juans there are places that will drive your compass crazy-and in the fog, this can be a problem!

Ken Cave
Drgon Tale



bcave@whidbey.net

[Neil Gordon]

>>In the San Juans there are places that will drive your compass crazy-and in the fog, this can be a problem!<<

Yes, for sure. In the northeast, and most other places in the world, compasses point the way they are supposed to. With no batteries and little in the way of moving parts, they are very reliable.

A hand bearing compass is a nice addition if you want to carry more than one compass.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



cdory28@aol.com

[Larry DeMers]

This past summer, we were east of Grand Marais, Minn. on Lake Superior, motoring along in fog and cold, following radar, GPS and compass, as well as the depth contour, making passage to Wauswagoning Bay at the Canadian border. Well, I noticed that we were slowly turning to port over a relatively short period..15 minutes. WIthin a half hour, we had a 60 degree shift in Norths position. Checking the chart..they note that the rock we were sailing over was highly magnetic, and will box the compass if you are in the center of the magnetic area. Fortunately, the compass returns to accurate within another 3 miles or so.

The initial discovery of that first 10deg. off course as indicated on the affected compass kind of woke me up..heh. I started to get that tight stomach muscles reaction for a few seconds, as my mind went through the possiblities..as it got worse right in front of my eyes. Interesting place to sail.

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~Lake Superior~~

>>In the San Juans there are places that will drive your compass crazy-and in the fog, this can be a problem!<<

Yes, for sure. In the northeast, and most other places in the world, compasses point the way they are supposed to. With no batteries and little in the way of moving parts, they are very reliable.

A hand bearing compass is a nice addition if you want to carry more than one compass.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

demers@sgi.com