Ritchie Compass Leak

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tim_farrell
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Ritchie Compass Leak

OK, this is a little strange. My compass is leaking, slowly, but leaking. I came back to the boat this weekend and about 1/3 of the water is gone. I removed the housing and the glass was totally wet. At this rate, it will be empty in 2 weeks or so. I cannot imagine how this happened. Perhaps the gasket at the midpoint is simply old?

In any event, a quick look at West Marine tells me that a replacement unit is $600. Not sure I really want to spend that on a compass right now. Has anyone else had this happen? Is this something that can be repaired for less than $600?

Thanks in advance.

tim

Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886

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Nimue
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The globe on mine has a couple of hairline cracks which the oil is escaping through. I took it apart and it looks simple to rebuild it if I can find a new globe (lens). That oil in there is stinky!

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

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TomSoko
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Tim,
Look in the yellow pages or online for a compass repair facility in your area. My compass developed a bubble a few years ago, and for what I remember was about $100 I got back what looked like a new compass. It was rebuilt, but it looked beautiful!

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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Laura
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Posts: 150

Tim- I did a quick Google search and found this dealer in your area. Probably worth a call or email to them.

North Sea Navigator Inc.
9 Logan Hill Rd., Northport, NY 11768 United States. Map & Driving Directions
Phone: (631) 757-7169
Website: [url]http://www.northseanavigatorinc.com/[/url](link is external) Email: [email]info@northseanavigatorinc.com(link sends e-mail)[/email]

Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD

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tim_farrell
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[QUOTE=Laura;9268]Tim- I did a quick Google search and found this dealer in your area. Probably worth a call or email to them.

North Sea Navigator Inc.
9 Logan Hill Rd., Northport, NY 11768 United States. Map & Driving Directions
Phone: (631) 757-7169
Website: [url]http://www.northseanavigatorinc.com/[/url](link is external) Email: [email]info@northseanavigatorinc.com(link sends e-mail)[/email][/QUOTE]

Thanks Laura. Much appreciated. I have an email out to them now!

Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886

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stu jackson c34
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WADR, please, use the telephone. That'll most likely avoid you writing back here and saying they don't answer their email. Really...happens all the time. I figure you want to get it fixed right away, no?:)

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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tim_farrell
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You're right Stu, It has been 24 hrs and no response. A phone call it is. The good news is that they are about 2 miles from my home.

Tim

Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886

StillaThrill
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Posts: 86

The globe on my compass was crazed and I removed it and sent it to Ritchie and they replaced the globe, replaced the card and refilled with new oil. I believe the cost was about $200.00 and it looks brand new.

Ralph
Still a Thrill # 765
WK, STD Rig
Lake Texoma, TX

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tim_farrell
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Thanks Ralph. I took mine to a local repair shop and she is working through it now. She thinks it will cost no more than $120. Hope to have it back aboard in the next week or so.

How long did yours take?

Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886

StillaThrill
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Posts: 86

Tim, it took about 2 weeks for Ritchie to repair my compass.

Ralph
Still a Thrill # 765
WK, STD Rig
Lake Texoma, TX

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StephenK
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Posts: 129

I had a crack in my compass and all the oil had drained out. I sent it back to Ritchie and for $200 they redid everything. It looks like a new compass. It took about 2 weeks and I was very satisfied with their work.

Stephen Kruse
Kruse Control #1428
1995 C-36 MKII SR/WK
Lake Lanier, Ga.

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tim_farrell
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Update - Got my compass back last night from a local repair shop. I needed a new dome and a new o-ring. All the fluid was re-filled and then sealed using a vacuum press. The compass looks like new and was re-installed in the boat last night. Total cost was about $120

Thanks all for the advice.

Tim Farrell
S.V. Kailua
C36 - 1986
Hull# CTY0678A886

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