compass for steel boat

[greenwaterdrunk]

Does anyone know of an alternative to a binacle mount compass with quadrantial spheres? I am working on a steel cutter, with steel house, and there is no convient/secure place to mount any other than a bulkhead style compass.

[sailrjim]

You could try a Sestral Moore. I think they may be in production again; not certain. They are/were made in the UK. It is externally gimballed and was originally advertised as being designed specifically for steel boats. I have an old one on my steel cutter. It was tedious to swing, and is not accurate at large angles of heel. Supposedly this is curable by installation of a heeling magnet but I do not have one installed. This compass seems well constructed and has been in use on my boat for fifteen years continuously.

Otherwise, I would suggest some of the electronic compasses on the market.

BTW, my compass is mounted atop the hatch turtle which is made of wood.

Jim

[JimCooper]

I find the modern electronic (fluxgate) ones are so much more reliable in a steel vessel, you just motor around in a circle and it all self calibrates.

No more compass pointing to the winch handle while you run ashore!

cheers
Jim

[MikeJohns]

The fluxgates are vastly superior these days, minimal power consumption repeaters throughout the boat, self calibrating and no northern southern hemisphere re-weighting required, No anomolies from materials in the helmsmans pocket , or the knife left by the compass.

[cyclops]

How about a hand held or dash mtd. GPS?

[MikeJohns]

Originally Posted by cyclops

How about a hand held or dash mtd. GPS?

That can be turned off by someone off the vessel.

[cyclops]

Boy Scout compass tied to your belt and stored inside your pocket?

[CG_H733_Driver]

Fluxgate's the way to go...extremely reliable, no maintenance, "plug and play" technology, and best of all - INEXPENSIVE...

[FAST FRED]

Saw your addresstried to send a private message , but the return address wouldnt work, Message follows,


Saw your posting , and address and thought perhaps you would have better sources with DOD stuff than I do.

We have a 1967 US Navy 50ft Personelle Launch , also known as a 50ft Utility boat.

Open boat with GM DD 6-71 as power.

It was made by Uniflite and we have a lobster house on it, and use her as primitave yacht in New England area .

I'm wondering if you could find any info on obtaining the operators manual for this boat?

Knowing the Navy there is a "book" for everything.

We just cant seem to Google anyplace that has a copy , or even find a listing.

Private response would be appreciated.

Thanks,

FAST FRED

[CG_H733_Driver]

Originally Posted by FAST FRED

Saw your addresstried to send a private message , but the return address wouldnt work, Message follows,


Saw your posting , and address and thought perhaps you would have better sources with DOD stuff than I do.

We have a 1967 US Navy 50ft Personelle Launch , also known as a 50ft Utility boat.

Open boat with GM DD 6-71 as power.

It was made by Uniflite and we have a lobster house on it, and use her as primitave yacht in New England area .

I'm wondering if you could find any info on obtaining the operators manual for this boat?

Knowing the Navy there is a "book" for everything.

We just cant seem to Google anyplace that has a copy , or even find a listing.

Private response would be appreciated.

Thanks,

FAST FRED

For some reason, it's not letting me send a private message or an email...

I'm back in the office on Tuesday, so I will run something down. Doubt we have anything readily accessible, so I'm going to have to dig a little.

I'll also run down a buddy of mine over at NAVSEA's Combatant Craft Division who "owes me a couple of favors."

[Nels Tomlinson]

Originally Posted by sailrjim

You could try a Sestral Moore. I think they may be in production again; not certain.

Yes, there is a company which is making them now, with a website at: http://www.sirs.co.uk/marine.htm. No clue whether they're reputable or whether they're making a quality product.