Seeing the Compass Heading

You could try clearing the compass optic by polishing.
When tacking onto port tack, you could remain on the downhill side long enough to steady yourself on the new compass course, then move over and find a landmark to steer towards, moving back across from time to time to check. If the boat is heeled far enough to make this difficult, it's time to reef.
 
Spirit (of Glenans) said:
You could try clearing the compass optic by polishing.
When tacking onto port tack, you could remain on the downhill side long enough to steady yourself on the new compass course, then move over and find a landmark to steer towards, moving back across from time to time to check. If the boat is heeled far enough to make this difficult, it's time to reef.
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Morning all, thanks for all your advice so far. I've just finished polishing it with Fenwicks an the plastic is now clear, however I've discovered that it has practically no oil in it, so now I'm googling what to replace it with!
 
I removed the compass, removed the painted over screw, started to fill the compass only to immediately discover it has a leak, and not a slow one :(

So thats that then, new compass ordered :(
 
William_H said:
I would have thought that a GPS or plotter would almost supersede a compass for navigation. So I would not worry or spend a lot of money on another compass. Perhaps as suggested you want to check on wind shifts when out of sight of land. When beating I often sit on low side anyway to keep in close touch with the jib so maybe OP should try just sitting on the one side if he wants to see the compass. My compass has not been used seriously for many years so is always covered. olewill
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NO
the compass ISNT dependent upon complex circuitry or power, it sits there & works
 
CCJ said:
If you havnt replaced the diaphragm it will continue to leak
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I've searched my good friend google and the plastimo site but I can't find this as a spare part. I'm going to replace it and stick the old one on the yard sale site and see if anyone wants it.

SItting on the boat today I could see that if it was clear then I could use the lubber lines as suggested earlier, so thanks for that suggestion folks :)
 
dolabriform said:
I've searched my good friend google and the plastimo site but I can't find this as a spare part. I'm going to replace it and stick the old one on the yard sale site and see if anyone wants it.

SItting on the boat today I could see that if it was clear then I could use the lubber lines as suggested earlier, so thanks for that suggestion folks :)
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Barry Phillips is "The Man"


Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

Some here are more helpful than some snowflakes with a report button
 
CCJ said:
Barry Phillips is "The Man"


Barry Phillips
BPSC Marine Services
Unit 4 Park Business Ctr
1 Park Rd
Southampton
SO15 3US

Some here are more helpful than some snowflakes with a report button
Click to expand...

Thanks for the contact info.

I was wondering what happened to your post. Took me a second to work out what you were saying, then I LOL :) Can't see what the point was in reporting that as it was cryptic enough for only an adult to understand.

Oh well, thanks again for your help
 
dolabriform said:
Thanks for the contact info.

I was wondering what happened to your post. Took me a second to work out what you were saying, then I LOL :) Can't see what the point was in reporting that as it was cryptic enough for only an adult to understand.

Oh well, thanks again for your help
Click to expand...

A snowflake pressed the report button
 
Update:

I replaced the compass with a new Plastimo 101, and all was well.

On arrival, some muppet ran the shore power with a coil on top of the compass. The following morning when we set off the compass was stuck :( We were permanently heading west apparently!

When I realised what I had done, I felt like such an idiot.

Luckily, about 2 hours later the compass started working again, and once it had settled down i checked it with the hand bearing compass it matched up again.

Phew!!±!
 
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