Compass on Bridge in Winter

[JLR]

I just had my bridge compass repaired to remove a small bubble. The repair place also told me that the dome was cracked so they replaced that as well. No big deal and not very expensive. But, they also told me to remove the compass from my bridge each winter up here in New York to avoid similar problems. Well, in more than 30 years of boating, I have never removed a compass in the winter. This is the first and only time I have needed a repair. Any thoughts on the necessity of winter removal? If it helps, I believe the new dome they installed is plastic and not glass. Perhaps the old one was plastic, as well.

 

[MadHatter53]

Same here, I have never removed any compass during winter layup. I did have one that the lower seal dry rotted and slowly leaked out. Maybe the fluid has changed over time.

 

[Boatsb]

It's for the domes protection. They get brittle in cold weather.

 

[osprey]

Hi, I have a large Danforth compass on the bridge of my 46C, when I re-built the helm I removed the compass and took it home. when I went to reinstall it, it had a large ait bubble in it. I decided to repair it so put in in my car and took it to work. when I got to work the bubble had gone. works out that there is a diaphragm in the base of the unit to compensate for temperature change. my house is airconditioned but my helm is not...…. Never gets below 80 degrees here so have never seen the bubble again. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Merry Christmas from Borneo

P

 

[34Hatt]

So do boats in Alaska and maine not use a compass all winter

I do remove anything with a lcd screen but not the compass 18 years still like new.

 

[SEVEN]

It’s my understanding that the liquid that is in a compass is a petroleum based product and should not freeze.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

It’s my understanding that the liquid that is in a compass is a petroleum based product and should not freeze.

Its basically mineral oil. I see no need to keep it out of cold temps.

 

[lake of the woods]

So up here where the film Ice Road Truckers we leave our compasses and LCD screens in the boat in minus 30 degree temperatures. No damage and no problem.
Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC #377

 

[Fanfare]

I have always requested glass replacement compass lenses instead of plastic ones. They may cost more but never need replacing. Perhaps the difference is important on a sailboat where the boom may fall on the binnacle and break the only compass. Not so on a power boat (at least, no boom). The plastic tends to craze after a few decades so go with glass.

 

[SEVEN]

I have always requested glass replacement compass lenses instead of plastic ones. They may cost more but never need replacing. Perhaps the difference is important on a sailboat where the boom may fall on the binnacle and break the only compass. Not so on a power boat (at least, no boom). The plastic tends to craze after a few decades so go with glass.

Jim, can you please had your hull number to your signature line. Thanks.

 

[Fanfare]

This should show if my signature changes came out.

I don't think the hull numbers in the earliest days of the Hatteras Yacht Company corresponded to much, especially after ownership changes. If the first 50MY (Hope, hull #1) was built in Dec. 1964, then Hatteras may have built perhaps 20ish by the end of 1965 when Fanfare (#22) was built. Production of the 50MY ended in October 1969, with the 53MY commencing in February, 1969, and continuing until June of 1988. I can't therefore account for many 50MY or YF hull numbers between 1966 and 1969. When I visited both the old and new factories I was told they were knocking out roughly two 53s in various incarnations per week towards the end of production. Pretty amazing!

 

[SEVEN]

This should show if my signature changes came out.

I don't think the hull numbers in the earliest days of the Hatteras Yacht Company corresponded to much, especially after ownership changes. If the first 50MY (Hope, hull #1) was built in Dec. 1964, then Hatteras may have built perhaps 20ish by the end of 1965 when Fanfare (#22) was built. Production of the 50MY ended in October 1969, with the 53MY commencing in February, 1969, and continuing until June of 1988. I can't therefore account for many 50MY or YF hull numbers between 1966 and 1969. When I visited both the old and new factories I was told they were knocking out roughly two 53s in various incarnations per week towards the end of production. Pretty amazing!

Thanks Jim