[C320-list] compass fluid gone!

[Myron Welch]

Nat,

My 1995 boat also had the 1/4 inch air bubble in the top of the  
compass.  There were a few years in the mid-90's that Ritchie used a  
defective seal. I learned of this somewhere, perhaps on this list, and  
also that Ritchie would fix the problem for free.  I contacted Ritchie  
in 2007 and they advised me to take the compass to an authorized  
Ritchie repair facility for the warranty work. They replaced the seal  
and filled the compass with new fluid at no charge.  They also did the  
same for my dockmate with a 1996 C-36.  There may have been a deadline  
for completion of the warranty work, but it would at least be worth a  
call to Ritchie.  Good luck.

Myron Welch
Wind Instrument #238
Iowa City, Iowa
Grace Memorial Harbor, Elk Rapids, Michigan


On Sep 9, 2012, at 12:00 AM, Nat Antler wrote:

> My 1994 #161 had about 1/4 " void in the helm compass binnacle  
> compass. It's been ok for the last 2 yrs. Today after coming back  
> from a relaxing afternoon sail out of San Diego bay as I put the  
> cover on the binnacle and wheel, I noticed that the compass card was  
> askew and all the fluid had disappeared! No guess as how that could  
> have happened. Are we budgeting for a new compass? Anyone have a  
> similar experience? Thanks, Nat