Locatd back to SF Bay area, 2009
1977 E35II - "Kunu"
1977 E35II - "Kunu"
When our E35-2's Yacht Specialties binnacle suffered an accidental impact, the trusty Danforth Constellation compass was sent flying across the cockpit. Fortunately, the aging plastic binnacle ring sacrificed itself, protecting the compass from serious damage. The ring was broken in several places making repair impossible. I wrapped it with tape and tied it to the binnacle guard as a temporary fix.
Yacht Specialties/Merriman went out of business in the late 1990s, so finding parts is very difficult. Although various bits occasionally show up in chandleries and flea markets, I felt that – even if I could find a replacement mount – the design left something to be desired. The most vulnerable aspect is the precarious way the ring seats in its accompanying bronze base – with tiny brackets compressed with bolts. So I decided to build something stronger, and hopefully, more attractive.
My Danforth is 6” model, so it was a good candidate for 6” O.D. PVC pipe with an inner diameter of 5 13/16” inches. This would provide a snug fit for the compass. A local custom woodworking shop happened to have a nice piece of ½” Honduras Mahogany, which they kindly cut into a 7” diameter circle for the new mount’s base. I pre-drilled and tapped the holes for mounting to the binnacle with 8/32” stainless pan head screws. Then I notched the center of the base to accommodate the helm controls.
The PVC pipe was cut to 4” tall, then laminated and glassed to the base with 2” biaxial cloth and West Systems Epoxy, thickened with 404 High Density Silica mixed to the consistency of clam chowder. I felt the assembly needed to be mechanically fastened as well. So I added a pair of 2” wide stainless eye straps, through bolted to the binnacle ring. Two ¼” barrel bolts fasten vertically through the straps, and into ¼” wood screws countersunk from the underside of the base. I finished the mahogany base in Cetol, and painted the ring with black Krylon Fusion plastic spray paint.
I think the new mount is better than its predecessor. Will it be strong and reliable well into the future? Well, it certainly beats duct tape, halyard line, and rolling hitches!
Yacht Specialties/Merriman went out of business in the late 1990s, so finding parts is very difficult. Although various bits occasionally show up in chandleries and flea markets, I felt that – even if I could find a replacement mount – the design left something to be desired. The most vulnerable aspect is the precarious way the ring seats in its accompanying bronze base – with tiny brackets compressed with bolts. So I decided to build something stronger, and hopefully, more attractive.
My Danforth is 6” model, so it was a good candidate for 6” O.D. PVC pipe with an inner diameter of 5 13/16” inches. This would provide a snug fit for the compass. A local custom woodworking shop happened to have a nice piece of ½” Honduras Mahogany, which they kindly cut into a 7” diameter circle for the new mount’s base. I pre-drilled and tapped the holes for mounting to the binnacle with 8/32” stainless pan head screws. Then I notched the center of the base to accommodate the helm controls.
The PVC pipe was cut to 4” tall, then laminated and glassed to the base with 2” biaxial cloth and West Systems Epoxy, thickened with 404 High Density Silica mixed to the consistency of clam chowder. I felt the assembly needed to be mechanically fastened as well. So I added a pair of 2” wide stainless eye straps, through bolted to the binnacle ring. Two ¼” barrel bolts fasten vertically through the straps, and into ¼” wood screws countersunk from the underside of the base. I finished the mahogany base in Cetol, and painted the ring with black Krylon Fusion plastic spray paint.
I think the new mount is better than its predecessor. Will it be strong and reliable well into the future? Well, it certainly beats duct tape, halyard line, and rolling hitches!
