Removing Ritchie Binnacle Compass

[Gary Mc]

Hi we are trying to remove the Ritchie compass from my son's Binnacle, likely has been in place since new back in the 80s.



It appears that it is just a slide in unit and theoretically should just lift out but we cannot get it to budge. Does anyone know a way to free it up? Maybe a strap wrench?


Thanks in advance
Gary

[steve77]

We had an S2 9.2 and on our boat the binnacle-mounted Ritchie compass was held in place by phillips head screws accessible from the top. I think there were three of them.

I can't imagine anything from S2 or Ritchie not being securely mounted. I don't think it would be a slide in unit, but I've been wrong before.

There is an S2 owners group, I think on Yahoo. I deleted my account since we no longer have an S2 so I can't give you a link. Perhaps they can shed some light. Good luck!

On re-read, it looks like your boat is an S2, but your son's boat may be something else. If so, I apologize for giving you information you likely already had.

Steve

[smac999]

I have never seen a compass not screwed in. If it slide it. It could rotate side to side and change the readings. It will have screws on top.

[Gary Mc]

Thanks, there is a thumb screw at the front that would be there to hold the compass from rotating, but with it backed out we are unable to move or rotate the compass. We would like to get the compass out to service the throttle linkage.

Even though the boat has always been in fresh water it seems to be seized in the housing. Maybe we can try a strap wrench.


It is on my son's Aloha, my 9.1 has a tiller.

[coopec43]

Have you had a look at this site? Apparently they are held on by 4 bolts.

https://www.ritchienavigation.com/me...95/5g-0105.pdf

https://www.ritchienavigation.com/re...innacle-mount/

HOW TO REMOVE A BINNACLE COMPASS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky6G9APh-no

Clive

[Gary Mc]

Thanks, that looks very promising!

[NorthCoastJoe]

I had to replace mine, screws hold it in from the top. be careful to unscrew the right screws or else you will dump the compass oil. Wonder how I found out.

[Bill Seal]

While we're at it, how do you change the lamp in a '80s (pre-LED) binnicle mounted Navigator compass without dumping the oil?

[NorthCoastJoe]

You can convert it to LED. Nor-Cal compass has the bulb. Once you remove the compass changing the bulb is easy. The worst of the whole process is getting out frozen screws. Use high quality screwdrivers with vice grips and a lot of pressure.

Have you taken off the light housing ? Two screws, then the stainless cover slips off upward to reveal everything else.

[dfelsent]

Loosen the thumb screw and remove the domed cover if there is one.
Remove the two screws holding the light assembly.
The stainless housing can be easily lifted up. Be careful to pass the light assembly through the housing as you raise it. Set the housing aside.
The lamp will dangle on its wires.
There are 4 1/4-20 screws that hold the compass to the pedestal. Remove these and the compass assembly can be picked up.
When re-assembling first clean the threads in the pedestal. I chased mine with a tap.
Make sure you use Tef-Gel or Duralac or some other anti-seize compound on the screws where they go into the aluminum pedestal.
If you don’t, or someone else didn’t you may have to cut the heads off the screws and work them out with vice grips after removing the compass.
Ask me how I know.

While you are in there inspect or replace the steering chain.

[dfelsent]

I forgot to mention that Ritchie has great customer service. Call or email them for advice!

[stormalong]

If it is an SP-5 like mine remove the top by removing the two small screws that hold the light assembly. Then put a scratch across the clamp and the compass to mark where it is positioned. Loosen the screw and nut from the clamp. Remove the compass. Put the compass in a safe place and then deal with the four screws that hold the clamp and the top ring of the pedestal assembly together. At least now your compass is safe from damage.

If your pedestal has not been disassembled since the 80's you will probably run into the stainless steel screws into aluminum problem. That can be a nightmare to get apart. If it was assembled with something like Tefgel give thanks to the people that put it together.

Also, as someone else said: It is time to replace the steering cable and chain. You are lucky it has not broken. They are only good for five to ten years on a well used boat.

[Gary Mc]

Thanks dfelsent, those pictures are really helpful.