Odd, Old, Obscure or Mysterious Nautical Things and Boats

[captain58sailin]

Celtic Cross

[senormechanico]

Before I clicked on that pic, I thought to myself, "Good sail shape on that roachy multihull mainsail".
Then I put on my glasses and saw the guy to the right... Oh, never mind.

[captain58sailin]

I think the guy on the left is the bow watch.

[cjsfsm]

Looks like one of the iron balls used to adjust compass variation?

[old pirate]

Deviation ?

[Comix Bay]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

I'd suppose it to be a stone cannon ball and the end for a botefeux, a stick used to hold a winding of match with which to fire the cannon.
My photo is a boat which caught my eye as "unusual", turns out there were a handful of them made.

There was on grounded and holed about two weeks ago here in a wind storm. Took this the next day as they were trying to get her out of the water.

[Lambretta]

I inherited this from my grandfather. I beleive it is at least 80 years old.came from his yacht back in the day ...... I have made a wooden plinth from teak to display it........ but will only do so once I have someone I can trust to repair it .... that is to remove the large bubble ...... as my research indicates so many variables to this and I just want it done properly and I cant find anyone in South Africa (yet) that can or is prepared to do the repair

[a64pilot]

There is usually a rubber diaphragm on a compass, its job is to allow the fluid to be able to expand and contract with temperature, 99% of the time when there is an air bubble, its because that diaphragm has leaked. Be sure though to use the proper fluid, its so cheap to get, why not?
AIRPATH COMPASS FLUID ( 1/2 PINT & QUART ) from Aircraft Spruce

[Lambretta]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

There is usually a rubber diaphragm on a compass, its job is to allow the fluid to be able to expand and contract with temperature, 99% of the time when there is an air bubble, its because that diaphragm has leaked. Be sure though to use the proper fluid, its so cheap to get, why not?
AIRPATH COMPASS FLUID ( 1/2 PINT & QUART ) from Aircraft Spruce

Thanks for the heads up on the fluid and I am aware of this. My concern is that some (and I have no idea of knowing if it applies to this particular compass) compass fluid contains Radium and that one therefore needs to be particularly careful when working on it and I did not want to take the chance with that

In addition, I believe that even the compass fluid can change from compass to compass including the alcohol levels so I am still trying to find a professional to repair it here ...... failing that I will take it to London on my next trip and get it repaired there as I have found someone there to do the repair

Thanks for your input

[Outlaw7]

That is a Benmar autopilot compass not as old as you think. They were still made into the 70's.

[Lambretta]

Originally Posted by Outlaw7

That is a Benmar autopilot compass not as old as you think. They were still made into the 70's.

Thanks for the info ..... can you confirm then what compass liquid I would need to refill it with
Thanks

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Lambretta

... My concern is that some (and I have no idea of knowing if it applies to this particular compass) compass fluid contains Radium ...

I didn’t know that; but apparently true.
“... Compasses manufactured between circa 1904 and the late 1960s will almost certainly still contain the remains of Radium-based luminous paint. This is an extremely highly radioactive substance and potentially very dangerous ...”
Interesting ➥ Compass Fluid

[uncle stinkybob]

These folks might be able to help you.

Island Compass has an inventory of new and refurbished compasses and mounting implements

[Cheechako]

Well, the radium dials in several of my old watches hasn't killed me yet..... and they were worn on the body for years.

[El Pinguino]

I thought this a thing of rare beauty...