by Guest » Fri Oct 27, 2000 9:55 pm
I have a Plastimo "Mini-Contest" compass on SUNBIRD, it is actually a bulkhead-style compass and I originally planned to mount it on the aft bulkhead of the cuddy, between the cb trunk and the seat riser, port-side, or between the cb control linea and the seat riser, starboard-side. Since I store my 4# Danforth anchor and 3' of chain just forward of this spot on the port side.........I knew these locations were not going to work! I considered buying the mast-mount that Plastimo makes for this compass, but it was $95 even at DEFENDER, this mount straps to the mast with a velcro strap I think. I finally made my own bracket to mount the compass to the mast inside the cuddy. I bought some teak-faced plywood from Rudy at D&R (he has lots of scrap pieces!) and the mount sort-of wraps around the mast. Since I keep my boat in the water all Summer with the mast up, this semi-permanent mount works for me, it is not hard to install/remove....but not something I would want to do every time I go out. I similar mount could be built that would be easier to take off/ put on but I'm satisfied with the way I have it at the moment. I lucked out on buying this compass, I got it for $70 at a marine consignment store.....unused and in the original box! The normal price at WEST or BOAT/US is around $100. I looked at several good compasses at the consignment stores, many were $30 or less....but most were "powerboat" compasses and would not work when the boat heels. I had originally used a RITCHIE "EXPLORER" bracket-mount compass, but never found a practical way to gimble it so that it would remain level while sailing. The Plastimo compass has a built-in inclimeter, and I seem to sail at an average heel of 15 to 25 degrees.
Rod Johnson (rjohnson24-at-juno.com)