Ritchie SP-5 Compass

[Ralph Masters]

I read a couple of days ago a post about the overhaul and repair of the SP-5 compass.  I just sent mine in off Ciao Bella, hull 367, and the cost to replace the bowl and refurbish is $198.00, which includes return shipping.

Ralph

[Bobg]

My compass is loosing fluid, it is about half gone, I get conflicting information, some say they (Richie) will fix it for nothing and some say they charge for their servicing as in your case

[Ralph Masters]

Contact Ritchie directly at cdixon@ritchienavigation.com they are very supportive.  I took the compass into WM and they really could not be bothered.  They would gladly sell me a new 700 dollar compass but not muck around with an old one.

$198.00 fully reconditioned, not bad if you've priced them out.

Ralph
Ciao Bella

[Tom Glennon]

I brought my compass to Ritchie personally, as the fluid was half gone.
They did a total refurbish, and it cost me about $180.
I don't think they would do it for nada unless it was fairly new, and had an obvious flaw in production.

[Ralph Masters]

180 is pretty good, I guess the extra 18 I paid is for the return shipping.  Still a better deal then WM offered.


The pessimist complains about the wind,
The optimist expects  it to change,
The realist adjusts the sails.
--William Arthur Ward

[scotty]

The fluid was half gone .....

The pessimist, the optimist and the realist....

an optimist might have said it was half full???

Just a thought!!

[tonywright]

For those who sail in the north, best way to prevent the loss of fluid is to take off your compass and store it in the warm for winter (it is very easily removed). I learned this the hard way on another boat.

Tony

[Ralph Masters]

Thanks for the tip.  Mine just started to get a small bubble in it and the next thing I knew it was half empty.  After the fluid drained you could see a lot of small cracks in the dome aroung the base and in the area where the light bracket sits on top.  I think mine was just old age, living in San Diego se don't have what one would call "harsh" winters.  For us anything below 48 is getting harsh.

Ralph
Ciao Bella

[Ralph Masters]

Just a quick update on the repair of the Ritchie compass.  The invoice showed a cost of $182.00 for the repair and $16.00 for shipping, total of $198.00.  At least now we can find our way.

Ralph
Ciao Bella

[waterdog]

Another update on the Ritchie Compass servicing.  Mine was badly cracked and lost its fluid.   I called Ritchie and ordered parts.  A new dome with O ring and an O ring for the filler plug was a grand total of $58.64 including shipping to Canada.   Replacement takes only a few minutes.   A cheaper option than sending in for service. 

[lazybone]

Steve,  you didn't mention anything about the fluid?  What the heck do they fill them with?

[waterdog]

Steve,  you didn't mention anything about the fluid?  What the heck do they fill them with?

Magic compass fluid. only $150 / pint at WM.   

"The right refill fluid for Ritchie compasses
If you ever need to refill or top off the fluid in your Ritchie compass, the manufacturer recommends Isopar L, an odorless, colorless, refined synthetic fluid. Its low viscosity promotes quick swinging. Won't freeze or boil off at temperatures from -40º to 200º F., and it may be mixed with the mineral oil already in compasses made before 2001.
Sold by the pint or the quart"

[lazybone]

150 a pint? 

It better taste really good.

[Ralph Masters]

Under 60 bucks for the same thing I paid almost 200 for.  WOW, you did very well on that.  I'm still fine tuning the adjustment on the compass swing.  Got it to with in about 5 degrees east west and 3 north south I think.

[waterdog]

I am not sure that we paid for the same thing. You had a full factory service - I just got a new dome and seals.  But in the last 6000 miles, i am sad to say, I have not even checked the deviation.  A compass is more decoration for me.   It used to be a vital piece of navigation gear.