Compass

[Maverick1958]

Here's your chance! I have a Helsen 22 that needs a compass. I could do a bulkhead mount by the companion way but I hate the idea of cutting a hole in my boat. Bracket mount is the other option, but I hate having something sticking out that can be knocked off. What would you all recomend, style and manufacture?

Maverick

[JohnRPollard]

It's hard to make a good recommendation, not knowing the layout of your cockpit. Nobody likes cutting holes, but bulkhead mounts generally result in very clean installations, protected from damage. Ideally, you'd have two: One on either side of the companionway as far outboard as possible. This allows better visibility and viewing angle when hiking out.

I like Ritchie Compass. You can see their various offerigns here.

Plastimo, Suunto, Brunton, Danforth are other makers. Palstimo has a new bulkhead option sized for smaller boats.

Another option is to get a digital compass from someone like KVH or Tacktick, which would mount to the mast on a bracket under the boom gooseneck. Or even just get a handheld GPS with a fluxgate compass feature.

[mitiempo]

Plastimo has some great choices Plastimo - Boat equipment : Our products -

[sailingdog]

I like the Contest 101 compass... it is reasonably priced and works pretty well for small GRP boats.

[nereussailor]

I had to install a compass on my last boat, I decided on the Mini Contest bulkhead mount. It was easy and turned out to be a really clean installation. Use the template provided, follow the instructions, and it will be fine.
A bracket mount would be an accident waiting to happen.


Dave

[mitiempo]

I had a Sestrel on a previous boat mounted under the hard dodger where it was easily seen but out of the way - the one pictured but mounted the other way around. Currently I have a Contest 101 and can see the forward side from the galley. Plastimo makes a good compass.

[SEMIJim]

After moving the traveler forward, the PO of our boat broke the bulkhead-mounted compass when the lower mainsheet block smacked it. So he moved the compass up to the mast:



We've since replaced that compass with a Ritchie SR-2 Venture, which we like very much.

The brackets are available from Layline.com, tho it would appear their site is under construction right now.

That's me sitting up on the bow pulpit. That picture was taken on the first day of Abracadabra's journey to her new home . (Perfect sailing weather that day, too!)

Jim

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

That's me sitting up on the bow pulpit. That picture was taken on the first day of Abracadabra's journey to her new home . (Perfect sailing weather that day, too!)

Jim

Hi Jim, Good to hear from you. Did you move the boat to a new home recently, or are you just referring to back when you bought the boat? Hope all is well.