Cruising boat compasses - considerations

coopec

coopec

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I am about to buy a binnacle compass but really have no idea what I should be looking at. The yacht is a 43ft fiberglass cruising ketch with a Whitlock Steering pedestal. The plate at the top is 8 inch in diameter if that is a consideration. The compass I am considering is a "flush mount" compass Ritchie F-82W Voyager (White). Do I need a "flush mount" compass?
Maybe I should be thinking of a "Navigator" compass or a "Helmsman" compass.
I don't have an unlimited budget!
Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
 
There are a range of compasses here. https://www.whitworths.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=Compass But then I am sure you have looked at them. I think a decent stout easily operated cover is essential in Oz sun. Sun will quickly destroy compass by over heating it and evaporating the fluid. I think a compass has been to a large degree made redundant by GPS and also by auto pilot so I would not go to a very expensive compass. I trust the project is proceeding well. olewill
 
William_H said:
There are a range of compasses here. https://www.whitworths.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=Compass But then I am sure you have looked at them. I think a decent stout easily operated cover is essential in Oz sun. Sun will quickly destroy compass by over heating it and evaporating the fluid. I think a compass has been to a large degree made redundant by GPS and also by auto pilot so I would not go to a very expensive compass. I trust the project is proceeding well. olewill
Click to expand...

Obviously, if you use autopilot a lot, then a steering compass is largely unnecessary, but I can't agree that GPS is as good when steering by hand. It responds too slowly; or at least mine does. I like being able to just glance down at a white marker rather than a digital readout. I don't like those 'roadway' displays either. But to each his own.
 
William I agree with what you are saying. I do intend installing an autohelm but I have reservations about the dependability of electronics on boats. A few years ago a 35ft launch was hit by lightning 30 km west of Rotto (50 km offshore). The instrument panel exploded and sprayed molten plastic over the face of one guy. They couldn't use the radio and couldn't start the motor: they were drifting Fortunately one boat on the horizon saw the lightning strike and went to their help.
Thanks for your reply. I'm now coming to the conclusion it is a matter of personal choice (and budget)
 
Thanks Eeyore, I'll look at Sestrel Major.

Does it matter the compass is only 5½ in. in diameter when the pedestal "cap" is 8 in. diameter. Does it look like a botch job?
 
The Plastimo 135 has a Whitlock binnacle adaptor as an option. I've just fitted one.

PS - and that might fit your limited budget better than a Sestrel or a Ritchie.
 
andygc
Thanks for that. I have added that to my list. It will either be a Plastimo 135 or a Riviera BW4.
 
William_H said:
There are a range of compasses here. https://www.whitworths.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=Compass But then I am sure you have looked at them. I think a decent stout easily operated cover is essential in Oz sun. Sun will quickly destroy compass by over heating it and evaporating the fluid. I think a compass has been to a large degree made redundant by GPS and also by auto pilot so I would not go to a very expensive compass. I trust the project is proceeding well. olewill
Click to expand...

1/ how does the sun evaporate the liquid ?
2/ gps is electronic a magnitic compass isnt therefore reliable
 
Don’t know about Whitlock.
I am looking into getting my Ritchie compass factory refurbished by Ritchie to fit Edson pedestal.
Maybe Whitlock can do the same
 
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