[Rhodes22-list] Installing a bulkhead compass

[Graham Stewart]

I installed a Compass 101 in the port bulkhead of my boat without difficulty using the same procedure that Rick used. It was not difficult and the depth and space between the inner and outer skins were just right for the compass. I did the same on the opposite side for the knot log. I would not be reluctant to do this again. The only thing I would do differently would be to put the compass on the starboard side rather than the port side. I found that the space between the inner and outer skins on the starboard side was slightly smaller than the port side. This would not be a problem for the compass as the electrical wires are very thin but for the knot log the fittings on the ends of the cables were about 1/2 inch wide making it more difficult to feed them through. I think it would have been easier to fish the wires through on the port side - but that might be a peculiarity of my boat. It is possible that the inner and outer skins might vary slightly in their alignment between boats.

As I recall there is a horizontal piece of wood running just below the bend in the bulkhead on the port side and possibly on the starboard side as well. It does not go all the way across so it is probably necessary to fish the wire around the end of the wooden piece. The easiest way to fish the wire through the space is to tie something like a nail to a string and let it fall between the panels but outboard to the wooden piece that I mentioned. It will land on the lip on the liner where you can pull it down into the cockpit, tie the line to the electrical wire and then retrieve the line and wire back through the hole you cut for the compass.

If you are worried about what obstacles might be present between the skins you could drill a small hole in the inner skin at the center of where you want the compass located and then insert a rigid wire into the hole with a 90 degree bend at about 3 inches. You can then rotate the wire and if the path is clear, as it should be, then the wire will rotate 360 degrees and you will know that that area is free of obstructions.. If there are obstructions and you change your mind about installing the compass in the bulkhead you only have a small hole in the liner to patch or hide.

Good luck,


Graham Stewart
Agile, Rodes 22, 1976
Kingston Ontario







-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Ric Stott
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2020 6:01 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Installing a bulkhead compass

The bulkhead is actually 2 pieces about 2 “ apart, and hollow in the middle..
I mounted mine high on the bulkhead and near the companionway, so its mostly not obscured by passengers in the cockpit. 
I used the same one and ran the night lighting wires in between the two layers downward. 
This is not a difficult process. 
I used a battery powered saber saw with a long blade That compass comes with a back this is perfect for the procedure. 
Once you have the location, go ahead and drill a small hole for the saber saw blade with the outside radius of the smll hole on your pencil line from the template.  
The space between the two layers is accessible from the cabin, so the wires can be fed through. 
Good luck
Ric
Dadventure 

Richard Stott, AIA, LEED AP
www.stottarchitecture.com
Office	631-283-1777
Cell		516-965-3164 





> On Dec 21, 2020, at 5:16 PM, Peter Nyberg <peter at sunnybeeches.com> wrote:
> 
> Alden,
> 
> I’ve put a few holes in my R22, but that’s a hole I don’t think I’d make.
> 
> My solution for mounting a compass was to mount it so that it sits on the cockpit floor just aft of the companionway.  I hardly ever step on it.  I could supply pictures if you’re interested.
> 
> If you’ve already purchased the bulkhead mount compass, a less invasive approach would be to mount it to a board that can slide into the slots used by the companionway door.
> 
> If you’re determined to mount the compass to the bulkhead, I really can’t offer much advice, but you should be aware that there are two ’skins’ to the bulkhead, an inner and an outer.  There’s about an inch between them.  Near the area where the pop-top support tube attaches to the bulkhead, there’s wood backing between the skins.  Otherwise, there’s just air. (At least that’s how it is on my boat.)
> 
> Best of luck,
> 
> Peter Nyberg
> Coventry, CT
> s/v Silverheels )1988/2016)
> 
>> On Dec 21, 2020, at 12:56 AM, Alden Blackwell via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>> 
>> My winter project is to install a bulkhead mount Plastimo 101 compass in the bulkhead to the left of the companionway.  I am not sure exactly where to locate it.  Cutting a hole in the bulkhead makes me nervous.  Can someone provide me with dimensions relative to the companionway etc as to where to cut the hole?  Has anyone tried to do this? 
>> Alden
>> S/V Edelweiss 
>> a_blackwell at verizon.net
>