Conference unifix::sailing

    When I had my O'Day 25 I mounted the compass to port and the knot/log
    to starboard.  This was to get the compass as far away as possible
    from anything electrical.  The arrangement worked well except for
    two things:
    
    	1.  The compass card will be hard to read when you're sitting
    on the starboard side.  Even the 45 degree lubber lines don't help
    much.  If possible, I would recommend one of those compasses that
    have the numbers on the edge of the compass card - easier to
    see when you're seated.  Also, I believe the bulkhead of the
    Catalina 25 is slanted forward so you'll have to make some sort
    of mount that will level your compass fore and aft.
    
    	2.  The bulkhead was the favorite napping spot for my wife.
    I had to wake her up whenever I wanted to know what the depth
    was.  On my current boat I had the instruments mounted on pods
    next to the wheel so she can get an uninterrupted snooz.

    I concur 100% with previous reply on bulkhead mounting of compass.
    It seems that when the fog moves in, someone is sleeping in front
    of the compass.  
    
    A recommended solution (from Cruising World and Sail) is to mount
    2 compasses, port and starboard.  This gives you easy reading and
    limited interference from crew.  It is expensive and would require
    2 deviation cards.  The rest of your instruments would the be mounted
    below the companionway.  They are water proof and, if proper protection
    is provided, should be foot proof as well.
    
    I recently installed a wheel and am replacing my bulkhead mounted
    Aqua Meter Saturn with a Richie binnacle compass.  If you want to
    buy it ($75) give me a call @ DTN 276-9416.  It has served me well
    for the last 3 years.
    
    Jeff Gardiner
    

    I have a Catalina 25 also, and I have mine set up pretty much like
    .1 recommended;  I just purchased a "Plastimo" compass that is both
    front and top reading, and is constructed especially for angled
    bulkheads.  Compasses not constructed this way may possibly be
    sticky if tilted enough.
    
    The bulkhead on the Cat 25 seems to be large enough so that the
    issue of obstruction isn't a really major problem.  You can mount
    the instruments high enough so that a person can soak up the sun
    and still not block the instruments.  Keeping the electronics to
    one side and the compass is a must, of course.
    
    I have my radio located above the starboard berth, where the wires
    can be lead under the companionway and tucked out of sight.
    
    Mounting a LORAN is much trickier, since most models are not
    waterproof, and yet you still want to be able to see it from
    the cockpit in all kinds of weather.  If you're interested in
    that as well, let me know.
    
       - Jim Finnerty
    

Actually, the compass may not need to be very far from the other 
instruments. A lot depends on the instrument and the amount of current 
the instrument uses. Our compass is 12 to 18 inches from our Signet 
knotlog, depthsounder, and windspeed and is unaffected by them (all on 
the same bulkhead).

Try experimenting. Set your compass on a nonmagnetic base (a wooden 
stool perhaps) well away from magnetic materials (say in an open field). 
Connect the knotlog, depthsounder, whatever to a battery. Bring the 
instrument slowly close to the compass. Note the distance at which the 
compass deflects. Do this from several directions. You can quickly 
establish a minimum separation. The minimum separation may or may not 
differ with the instrument on or off. Analog displays have small 
permanent magnets in the meter movement and will probably have more 
effect than digital displays.

Once the compass and the instruments are mounted on the bulkhead and the 
wiring firmly cabled in place, any deviation induced in the compass will 
be constant. Since you really should check the deviation of the compass 
anyway, a little additional deviation (a degree or two) isn't too 
important. I like having one cockpit bulkhead with no instruments or 
compass. 

Alan

    RE .1, first item:  What you refer to is called "direct read" vs
    "open card" type of compass.  With the former you read numbers on
    the aft edge of the card; with the latter, you read from the forward
    edge.
    
    FYI, Three Lanterns Ships Supply in Gloucester (recently referred to 
    elsewhere in this conference) is having a grand opening sale April
    11 and 12.  Ritchie compasses 40% off.  KL990 paint 50-60% off.
    They have many other brand names as well as never-heard-of's, and
    40% off is the rule that weekend.
    
    John.                             

    Gentlemen,
    	Thank you all for your interest and opinions on this matter.
     I appreciate your time and expertice.  I have decided to mount
     the instruments as initaly indicated.  A previously installed depth
     sounder has aforded me with the necessary thru-hull for mounting
     knot-log sensor.  The transducer for the depth sounder is to be
     internaly fitted (this I have done on previous occasions with great
     success).  I hope to see any of you that cruise Narragansett Bay
     durring the up-coming months. 

    
    Does this mean that your old instruments are now for sale?
    If so what the make, condition and price?
    
    			thanks,
    			charlie

     It's been some time since anyone wrote in this note. I am fortunate
    enough to have gotten a new Autohelm Tridata instrument along with a
    Autohelm wheel pilot for Christmass. I intend to remove the existing
    Datamarine Depthsounder and Speed/Log from the starboard bulkhead and
    install the new equipment in their place so as not to cut any new holes
    in my baby. 
    
    What I would like to know how to do is to remove the thru hull's for
    the Datamarine instruments so that I can install the new ones for the
    Autohelm instruments. Anyone with experience removing non metalic
    thru-hulls please responde. 
    
    The Datamarine instruments will be available for sale as soon as I
    remove them. The boat is a 1986 vintage so the instruments are probably
    85 or 86. The function fine, the reason for replacement is that with
    the Tridata I will not be required to have a third instrument on the
    bulkhead. Also I like the large readout on the Tridata.
    
    

    Do you have to remove the inside sensor or the entire through hull?
    My datamarines have a pin above the thru hull holding in the
    paddlewheel and depth sounder. I take the clip off the pin, pull the pin 
    and then twist the unit back and forth while the rubber o-ring releases 
    so I can pull the unit out of the hole. This of course then creates 
    quite a firehose effect of water coming in the boat, so you don't leave 
    the plug out for very long! If the Tridata sensor is the same size 
    (check West Marine or Boat US for sensor size of each) then simply pull 
    the old and plug in  the new. If it's not, you'll probably need to 
    pull the boat, unscrew the old thru hull fitting and rebed a newer 
    one in - hopefully without cutting a larger hole. BTW, if your lcd
    displays are still in good shape, I'd be interested in talking price
    for your old stuff. Dtn is 486-6496.
    
    Good luck,
    Robert

    If you find that you have to remove the old sensor, grab a heat gun and
    hope the bedding is something soft like a polysulfide (Life Calk). From
    the inside, scrape away as much bedding as possible, then heat the area
    (it would probably be better if someone had a heat gun and applied heat
    to the outside at the same time), but if not work from inside. Remove
    the lock nut or whatever retainer is used, then take a rag (for your
    hand) hand and P-U-S-H hard and steady. It's not short and easy, but
    you will get the sensor out. A word of caution, be careful with the
    heat gun, you might end up destroying the sensor. Replacements are
    readily available.
    
    Good luck!