Date: Mar 23, 2019

Recommended for compass repairs: Viking Compass in MA

 

Date: Mon Aug 20, 2001 1:44 pm

My recently-purchased SW II (Niko, hull 91) came with the original compass and plug for the cockpit floor, but no wood mounting for it. I have seen one SW II with a simple teak piece that wraps around the mizzen mast. I have seen another that had a pedestal just aft of the mizzen. Since I have to fabricate it from scratch, what would be the method best recommended?

Date: Mon Aug 20, 2001 2:45 pm

I am satisfied with a sturdy, 2-piece (thru-bolted together) teck collar encircling the mizzen mast. It carries on its aft flat edge two female fittings in which I either plant my compass or the forward part of a small table (with a hinged leg on its aft edge). It also carries a watertight plug in which I can plug the compass light.

 

Date: Mon Aug 20, 2001 3:00 pm

I'm sure you will receive plenty of suggestions about the mizzen mounting of the compass.

My original instinct when I first took possession of my SW II was that the torque on the mast, created by the mizzen would offer incorrect readings. Before I actually did something about it I was to find that it limited my movement around the cockpit more than the already offending mast. Like anything else one investigates their personal habits and movement to make best judgments and executing alterations that "seem" to be adequate.

Ultimately and after all consideration I mounted a Ritchie Navigator, bulkhead mount compass on the port bulkhead. Before doing this several dimensional calculations had to be considered. Determining the closest, actual centerline of the boat and transferring it to the bridgedeck, in pencil was the key factor. The next being the probability of the aft cabin bullhead was not necessarily perpendicular to the centerline had to be determined and added to the dimensional exercise. Then a careful look at the skippers natural roosting place to determine the height on the bulkhead that best allowed the card to be read comfortably. Lastly, inconsideration of comfortable seating outboard of its location determine how much projection into the cockpit is comfortable.

The last step is to add all of the dimensions that best suit you and fabricate a teak shim that compensates for all of those angles. After any move or new installation for a compass a proper "swinging" is required for voyaging more than a few miles from home waters.

Remember that speakers, tools and galley implements that may normally be mounted within a foot of a bulkhead installation will cause predictable problems.

 

Date: Mon Aug 20, 2001 7:38 pm

We have on our vessel, a six glass holder that wraps around the mizzen and also holds the large danforth compass. We have been happy with this arrangement. I can place my 7X50 binoc's in two of the holes and they

stay there under extreme conditions.