compass for steel boat

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

How about a hand held or dash mtd. GPS?

 

That can be turned off by someone off the vessel.

 

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

 

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

 

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."

 

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.