Replacement compass

[Grumpy Oldman]

Anyone know of a direct replacement compass or where to buy an original for the 26X?

[Starscream]

Anyone know of a direct replacement compass or where to buy an original for the 26X?

I don't think the X ever came with a compass as standard equipment. Individual dealers may have added them as options, but the model would depend on the dealer's line card. Just as much chance that the compass was added by a previous owner. Post a photo or two and I'm sure someone on this forum would be able to help identify it.

[Russ]

What he said ^^^

Factory shipped bare boats. Not even a headsail...or head.

If you post a picture of it, we can help.

[kmclemore]

Yep, never came with one. But if you post a photo of what you’ve got, I’m betting one of us can determine what it is.

[Grumpy Oldman]

Can only assume it was an Australian requirement as it certainly looks factory fitted.... Lights are wired in main loom.
Best I can do (video screenshot) as the boat is 3000km away in Far North Queensland... I thought if it was a standard unit I could order one to take up.

[NiceAft]

That compas does not look to be anything special.

There are companies which make compasses which mount similar to the one you show.


https://defender.com/en_us/plastimo-contest-130-compass

https://www.westmarine.com/plastimo-min ... rydN6Ekpk1

Ritchie Compass, Bulkhead, 4.5" Combi w/Inclin.,Black https://a.co/d/0419UpcW

I’m sure there are more to find.

I hope this makes you more secure in finding a solution. It’s doable.

[OverEasy]

Hi Gumpy Oldman!

For what it’s worth….
Our compass was added prior to our getting our boat… by dealer? By a previous owner? No way of telling….
We pulled ours as it was a bit long in the tooth and had some haze on the bubble.
Thought about just replacing it till we found that the replacement was $300-to-500!!!
Idunno about others but our boat budget screamed!

So I took an automotive headlight polishing kit from

It worked to remove the sun induced haze nicely in a relatively short effort.
As part of that effort I found that the bowl had been designed so could be refilled.
While we didn’t need to do that with ours it was nice to know for the future.
Maybe this might be true for your unit as well and might be worth it to you to look into that aspect.

Our black outer housing was a little faded but the polish cleaned that up as well.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

Looks like a bulkhead compass. There are many flavors but not special.

Many choices here
https://crdoceania.com.au/crdmarine/com ... compasses/

My dealer (Blue Water Yachts) included this compass with my boat. It's portable and mounts on the bulkhead and can be hand held. I've never taken it out of the storage bag.
Honestly, I've never used it. We boat on a lake so getting lost is pretty difficult. I also use the chartplotter for what little navigation I need.

https://crdoceania.com.au/crdmarine/pla ... s-rwb8006/

[OverEasy]

Hi Russ!

Like that Plastimo Iris compass!
That makes so much sense to have it both hand held AND bulkhead mounted!
With that simple robust clip one could mount it just about anywhere one wanted AND not store it outside all the time.
I’ve got to admit that’s a nice way to go!

Like you we generally rely on our Chartplotter for our navigation needs being met.
We carry paper charts along with digital charts/maps as well as digital compasses on our phones & iPad as backups.
Given the large area we have the digital approach just makes more sense than compass and paper charts, (though I still like to play ancient mariner every once in a while with them ).

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

Like you we generally rely on our Chartplotter for our navigation needs being met.
We carry paper charts along with digital charts/maps as well as digital compasses on our phones & iPad as backups.
Given the large area we have the digital approach just makes more sense than compass and paper charts, (though I still like to play ancient mariner every once in a while with them ).

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Many local laws require a compass to be onboard. The Pastimo hand held seems to be good quality for a small handheld. Also can be used for bearings.

Years ago, I taught charting with the USPS boating course. In those days it was a skill you needed to master and I used paper charts all the time. The run to Block Island and Nantucket was ALWAYS foggy and required a compass course. We didn't have chartplotters.

If you are boating in waters with fog etc, you need to know how to chart a course. Especially if technology fails. Also good to be able to read a chart.

As much as I love the chartplotter, it doesn't tell all the story. A friend of mine ran his boat into a reef in the Bahamas because he didn't zoom in on the chartplotter and therefore didn't see the reef. He did get a free ride in a CG Helicopter.

[Grumpy Oldman]

Thank you all, for the suggestions and comments.
FYI, the oil leaked out and the housing is very cloudy and is almost unreadable.
I thought that if it was a standard unit they all came with I could get a direct replacement but as most of you have noted, they don't come with a compass as standard.
When I'm back in Queensland in a couple of months I'll measure the hole it's in and source a replacement, yep they're $$$ but after the amount of issues I've had since buying this lemon, I can't be bothered faffing around with this old one.

[OverEasy]

Hi Russ!

Too bad about your friend!
I’m glad he was ok and sad that he had to go through that experience.
Hope he had good insurance.

Just my personal perspective …
Like with flying a plane I try to be responsible for knowing where they are and what hazards or turnout options lie along that route as well as to either side. We like and use the zoom functions on our Chartplotters (yes we carry spares ).

In addition to our main unit we also have a smaller unit and behind that one we have an old independent black & white screen handheld with its own battery (but it’s rather limited given I can no longer get updated charts for it) but it’s still accurate as far as GPS locations to use with our paper charts. The zoom-in function on the primary and secondary are nice given the extreme detail it can offer vs that of a standard paper navigation chart.

I agree with you that knowing how to navigate by chart/compass/speed/tide/currents/windage are important skills! Sorta why I still play ancient mariner occasionally… and orienteering on land. It just fun to do and give one perspective on the accomplishments of those that came before.

Figuring out where one is using windage drift, boat speed, heading and elapsed time can be fun but also time consuming in some aspects. Even as we’re no longer digitally enthralled individuals the era of GPS has been a welcoming experience particularly with our larger primary one we use for our longer trips as it allows us to plan multiple routes in detail when desired.

Hi Grumpy Oldman!

Your absolutely right about cutting one’s losses with always fixing stuff. I’m guilty of spending more time fixing things just because I can rather than on what actually makes economic sense. Yes, time often equals money. A boat is something to be enjoyed as you want to enjoy it. Not everything has to be fixed. The some of the newer compasses are often times better as well with better readable indicators and lighting options (like being able to vary the lighting intensities and color to preserve one’s night vision).

Best Regards,
Over Easy