Previiously this spring I took off the factory-original Ritchie SP-5C compass. The clear plastic dome was not so clear any more and UV mini-cracks were starting to appear around the base. Fluid was reasonably clear but some cloudiness was apparant. The card was turning slowly on a bearing that was getting tired. One of the two red lights was out, too.
All rebuilt for a bit over $200., it looks marvelous.
This am, whie there was no traffic on the water, the adjuster met me at the moorage and we went out to do the adjustments, i.e. "swing the compass". This would (for the first time in the life of the boat) create a deviation table, too! :nerd:
Water was flat with only a slight breeze. He has a distant landmark he uses to sight in on for local adjustments and a rather trick-looking little optical device for accurately sighting in on objects. So I follow orders and maintain headings of 0, 180, 90, and 270. He does careful adjustments of the little magments in the base. Then we split the cardinal points and maintain headings of 45, 135, 225, and 315, while he checks it again and fills a deviation card.
It was tedious but interesting steering the boat to the exact required number while
constantly calling out the information to Mark. I would over or under correct a bit but then get it settled right on the number.
Once finished up out on the water, we return to the slip and he filled out a final copy of the new Deviation Table, signed it, and then sealed it in clear plastic.
He said that Ericsons and many other high end boats have/had good quality compasses and that a lot of cheaper boats have only the cheapest models. Also that some fishing vessels and some surprisingly-expensive yachts have inexpensive compasses.
He does ships, tugs, fishing boats, USCG vessels, and yachts of all sizes, and is one of approx six (6!) people on the whole west coast that does this work. It's normal to receive a phone call early in the dark am giving him an airline ticket and a few hours notice to go up or down the coast if one of the other adjusters is unavailable.
As to our boat's compass.... the deviation table reads with a row of .....
Zeros!
The next column that gives a "steer to" number of each major direction simply sez to "steer to compass".
I am again glad I bought an
Ericson!
Loren
(I may seem confused at times, but my compass is OK.)
Links:
http://www.ritchienavigation.com/ca...105&pgid=F4A00D78-47CC-11D8-885F-C92F268E72FD
http://www.thecompassadjuster.com/
