On 3/4/2016 9:09 AM, Steve Trapp wrote: Hi David, My solution for our M15 was to mount a Ritchie compass to a teak base that I put at the forward end of the cockpit sole. It was easily visible sitting P/S; it could be stowed; it didn't interfere with leaning against the aft cabin wall. A glance at the compass mounting block showed me if it had changes angle; (it was either flush with the cockpit forward wall or it wasn't) Connie
How do you avoid constantly banging your head against anything dangling in the cabin hatch ? Steve M-15 # 335
-----Original Message----- From: David Grah via montgomery_boats Sent: Thursday, March 3, 2016 7:10 PM To: For and About Montgomery Sailboats Subject: M_Boats: Montgomery 15 Compass Solution
I thought I would share the compass solution I selected for my Montgomery 15. Last summer we spend a few days navigating in and out of fog on a unfamiliar lake with plenty of rocks and islands to run into, a chart with not much detail, and not many GPS points to navigate by. I used a very simple compass intended, I think for kayaks (a Ritchie Navigation SportAbout Hand Bearing Compass http://www.westmarine.com/buy/ritchie-navigation--sportabout-hand-bearing-co...). It worked but only if kept level and, since there were no handy level surfaces nearby, I had to hold it to use it and that complicated my navigational process. Last fall I queired this group for suggestions on better options and got a lot of good ideas. The ones that appealed to me the most were a Richie V-57.2 Explorer Compass https://www.ritchienavigation.com/research-compasses/compass-by-series/explo... mounted on a drop board and Plastimo compass http://www.westmarine.com/buy/plastimo--iris-100-universal-compass--254666 mounted somewhere (but also with the ability to take it off and take sightings with it). I ordered both but ended up using the Plastimo mounted with bungie on the back of the sliding hatch. I've only tried it once but am happy with it. I am keeping the Richie because it is a really nice compass and I will probably use for something it at some point.
I like that I mounted the Plastimo in a good spot to easily look at while navigating while at the tiller and like that I can also take it off and lay it on the cockpit bench behind me and navigate looking backward while I am leaning against the back of the cabin (I know it is sort of bad to do this, but still enjoy relaxing like that). I secure the compass with a thin elastic cord through two holes in the hatch and routed around plastic screws and nuts I added to the compass. It stays put and isn't bothered if you bump it going in and out of the cabin. See (hopefully) attached photos. David GrahBishop CaliforniaMontgomery 15 - Sky