Another Suggestion for a C-Dory Compass?

[sketchrbob]

I know, you are all wondering, "What's with this guy, does he know compasses or doesn't he?" Well, I am not in the business of choosing compasses. I just work with what the customer has.

I became aware of a compass that I think fits the C-Dory and also the fact that you use your compass as a back-up to your GPS, so I just had to tell you about it.
Also it is relatively cheap .

I became aware of it through the picture of Marinaut C-Nile with Rich and Betty. This is under the post -- "There they go". The compass is on a molded location obviously intended for a compass. From some checking I learned it is a Ritchie "Explorer" model which is actually identical to their "Angler" model. The only difference is that model has "Angler" printed on the compass body. I also realized where I had seen the Explorer model before. It is used on the 36' Hinckley Picnic Boat built in Trenton, Maine. I have adjusted the compass on three of these beautiful boats. The Picnic Boat sells for between $400,000 and $500,000 and there is a waiting list! Martha Stewart has one which may or may not impress you.

So if you have the Explorer compass you may have some good company. The point is you know Hinckley would not use it if it were not a top notch compass. Rich and Betty like theirs very much. Rich says that it is so easy to see where it is mounted that he steers by it much of the time.

Here are some features of this compass. It is relatively small -- 3- 5/8" with a blue dial. It comes in several configurations --- bracket, flush mount etc. I think the S53G (the one Rich and Betty have) is probably best suited to the C-Dory. By squeezing two buttons -- one on each side -- the compass is released from its base. The compass can now be used as a hand bearing compass, both on board and ashore. Since it is easily removable, you can put it away for safety when leaving the boat. The compass comes with night lighting. The best part is that you can all afford one -- would make a great Christmas present -- $52.99 at discount marine stores.

You will want a cover to protect it from the sun when not in use. A Ritchie cover even at discount is expensive ($19) so you may want to make your own from canvas, cool whip cover or other material.

Are there any draw backs to this compass? Well it does not come with a Combi dial so if you like an open face card it is not for you. If you like a larger compass you could choose a Voyager or Helmsman mentioned in my previous posts. Otherwise it looks like a good choice.

The adjustment of this compass is different from other compasses -but not more difficult. We will cover this in Thursday's post on adjustmet.

Bob W