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This is relatively easy. Plain water! at least according to Ritchie. The problem is that owners love their compasses so much that they don't want to stop there. They wax them, they polish them and sometimes with products that do more harm than good. The problem is that compass domes...

Hi Everyone, This, and the following question will wind up my Compass Questions. Since many of you will not have had a sticking pivot, I will answer my own question. A "sticking pivot" is a term describing a condition when the compass card no longer rotates on the pivot smoothly. It...

Great Job Guys! I really do not have to add anything --but by now you know me well enough -- I have to get my 2 cents worth. It should be emphasized that the GPS obtains a series of fixes on a boat's position. From these fixes it calculates direction and speed. However, the GPS needs to...

This combines questions 6 & 7 on our compass question list. Why do we need a compass at all? If we do, how should we use it? This gives an opportunity for those on each side of the question to state their case. I'll discuss any neglected points later. Bob W :D

Roger, I am sure your method of determining a danger of collision works just fine. All of us use something similar. If we had a "Hockey Puck" compass hanging around our neck we might use that. The rule I was quoting was from the International Steering rules which were quoted on the "Weems...

A Hand Bearing Compass may seem like a relic from a by-gone era . Actually it can serve several useful purposes as Bob Austin has previously stated. Since you can hold it any place on the vessel you can usually find a spot that is not affected by other magnetic fields (the exception being a...

This week's compass topic is hand bearing compasses. Not only which ones are best, but what can they be used for? How many C Dory owners have them? Which ones do you like? and do not like? How do you go about getting a fix from a hand bearing compass? I am going to sit back and let you...

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...

HOW CAN I ADJUST MY OWN COMPASS? OK, this is the topic many of you have been asking for. First of all we need to understand why a compass needs adjusting. Some of you know all about this but some of you do not, so those who know, please bear with me. Without anything in a boat, so the...

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...

Hi Dave S, I think the spot near the center window may be the best place for your compass. You may find that it checks out fine with the adjustment process. I will be posting that at this location next Thursday. If you have any problems you can send me a message. Good Luck! Bob W. :D

Hi, Thanks for your response. Glad you are enjoying the new Marinaut. As the very first owners you will be Celebrities! After looking at the picture again I believe you have the Explorer Model. A fine compass. If it is the Explorer, you will notice that the corrector screws are at a 45°...

In the post "Away they Go" I was interested that the dash board has a molded location for the compass. It is in a perfect spot -- right in the line of sight for the helmsman. No more guessing about where to put the compass. That spot is taken! Congratulations on your forethought . I am...

I think one of the main reasons for the success of the C Dory is having a web site. Not just any web site, but this web site. I have surfed the web for several years and this is best web site I have ever seen. The organization, ease of use and ability to find information is fantastic! I do...

Ken, Thanks for supplying the missing information. Yes, I should have included the instructions to set the GPS for Magnetic. For my Garmin I have a menu for "Set Up". One of the choices is "Location" . Under the menu for this there is a choice of "North Reference" . Choosing this gives...

To start, select a trial location for your compass. Sit in the helmsman's seat and try the compass in different locations. You should be able to see it easily. If you want to locate it in the center of the boat -- this may be a good location to get it away from magnetic interference-- you...

For those of you who have a compass mounted toward the center of your boat, it may be a little difficult to read the lubber line. An easy solution is to paint a 45° lubber line -- often a standard feature on such compasses as the Ritchie Helmsman --but not included on smaller compasses. You...

I guess I got carried away! I said the best compass for your C Dory is the one you are using right now. I should have quit right there. Sorry about that. Bob W :(

I spent a good part of yesterday looking at pictures of a lot of your C Dorys -- something I should have done before I attempted to write about the "Best Compass" for a C Dory. I learned a lot about you and your boats. I learned that you really do not use your compasses very much and some...

Tom, Good point -- this type of thing drives compass adjusters to pull their hair out. Probably accounts for why I have so little left! :( We will cover these types of disturbances under the topic "How to adjust your own compass" which will be in two weeks. Thanks for contributing. Bob W :D