Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: RED Ritchie compass
Posted by Theduke706 on 02/08/13 - 1:27 PM
#1
I have a RED Ritchie compass on my 1975 Montauk the glass (plactis lens) is cracked. is there a fix for that? or does anyone have a RED one for sale?
Edited by Joe Kriz on 02/08/13 - 2:26 PM
Posted by Finnegan on 02/08/13 - 2:03 PM
#2
I would contact Ritchie and see if they can repair it for you. It is a rare item, in demand, so it's worth fixing.
Posted by Jeff on 02/08/13 - 3:01 PM
#3
To replace the globe and give the compass a tune up, I was quoted $125 from a ritchie service center in Florida. It is a very worth while fix as even a fair conditiin on can bring that on ebay.
Edited by Jeff on 02/08/13 - 3:04 PM
Posted by Finnegan on 02/08/13 - 5:28 PM
#4
I would eliminate the middleman, and deal directly with the factory. When one of mine needed service, they had me send it directly to the factory location in MA, I believe.
Posted by Theduke706 on 02/08/13 - 5:35 PM
#5
Thank you all. I am in a restoration project on my 1975 Montauk. And of all the things I can do to it changing the compass is Not one of them.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 02/08/13 - 6:06 PM
Posted by Tom W Clark on 02/09/13 - 8:49 AM
#6
The red Ritchie Explorer compass has not been made since 1985. By all means, see what the factory can do for you, it never hurts to ask, but I would not hold out much hope.
The factory sent a Dealer Bulletin to all their dealers in May 1986 explaining:
This all-time favorite, red, Ritchie small boat compass is no longer available. As you may be aware, Boston Whaler made a special purchase of this compass last fall in anticipation of discontinuation by Ritchie and our inventory is now depleted.
We need to cancel all existing back-orders for the Explorer compass at this time.
So even though Whaler knew the compass was going to be discontinued and even when they bought all they could from Ritchie, they still sold them all and left dealers wanting more in only a matter of months.
Here, 27 years later, the red Ritchie Explorer is more popular than ever, though increasingly rare and hard to find.
Posted by sammidog on 02/10/13 - 4:55 PM
#8
If its just the dome that is cracked that may be standard dome. They will sell you a dome, gaskets and diaphragm for 30-40 bucks. Its a job u can do yourself. Its just a few screws. To fill the compass put the odorless mineral spirits in the freezer overnight and refill. Use an eye dropper bottle to get rid of the air bubble. Ive repaired 3 now and they are like new
Posted by Mtierney on 02/10/13 - 8:04 PM
#9
Sammidog, Mineral spirits, or mineral oil?
Posted by sammidog on 02/11/13 - 1:30 PM
#11
Odorless mineral spirits. Every hardware store sells it. Do nit use kleen strip brand odorless mineral spirits. When you take that out of the freezer it actually freezes into a white blob. I think i used russel brand. You can also use isopar L. It is an alcohol that ritchie recommends even in old compasses but they say odorless mineral spirits is acceptable
Posted by Frauke75 on 02/11/13 - 1:50 PM
#12
I do not know if this will help but I asked Ritchie this question back in 2006 and bellow is the emails I got back.
I never finished this so can not say it woks.
> >From: "Cristin Dixon" <cdixon@ritchienavigation.com>
> >Subject: RE: HELP TO REPAIR AN ANTIQUE
> >Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:22:10 -0400
> >
> >Hi Jake,
> >
> >This is a tough one but I may have a solution and I will email it
> >tomorrow.
> >
> >Regards,
> >
> >Steve
> >781-826-5131
>From: "Cristin Dixon" <cdixon@ritchienavigation.com>
>Subject: RE: HELP TO REPAIR AN ANTIQUE
>Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:50:21 -0400
>
>Hi Jake,
>
>For $22.88 in parts Bill Marsh has figured out a capsule that should
>work. The dial is direct read but it fits well.
>
>Shipping would be S6.95.
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve Sprole
Hi Jake,
The attached picture shows the dial configuration. The one you have is
a flat card that you read in the back. There is liquid in it. You can
order by phone from sales ask for a EX-0067ASY. We accept MC or Visa.
You may post this solution as we would sell capsules to restorers of the
old Boston Whalers.
Regards,
Steve
Posted by sammidog on 02/11/13 - 1:57 PM
#13
I think it is self explanatory but fill the compass as far as you can before replacing the diaphragm. Then you need to turn the compass so the fill screw is up. Remove the screw, then fill with a dropper bottle. Better to find a tiny straw that fits inside the hole. Dropping drops in is messy as the drop is bigger than the hole.
Posted by cwk6 on 02/11/13 - 2:02 PM
#14
I replaced the diaphragm on mine last season and refilled with mineral spirits. Very doable and richie was good to work with. (I called and had my part ordered within five minutes)
Posted by sammidog on 02/11/13 - 2:53 PM
#15
Ritchie is such an awesome company I would never buy any other compass. Always friendly helpful people to talk to and how many companies stock parts for 25 year old compasses.
Posted by Theduke706 on 02/12/13 - 8:16 AM
#16
i just spoke to Ritchie they said they could not repair it. any other suggestions?
Posted by sammidog on 02/12/13 - 9:38 AM
#17
Thats a bummer. I'm not familiar with that compass. I figured the red part just covered a standard exolorer compass. I guess not. Is the red part removable from the compass?
Posted by Frauke75 on 02/12/13 - 2:34 PM
#18
In my post above the guy from Ritchie looked into this exact question for me (cracked Red Ritchie "globe" ) He said that the p/n: EX-0067ASY is a capsule that should fit in the Red Ritchie well. The dial is direct read and not the original flat card that you read in the back. but... it is a way to have a working Red Ritchie again.
I never got to do this but it did come from Ritchie and their names are above to talk to.
Edited by Frauke75 on 02/12/13 - 2:35 PM
Posted by Theduke706 on 02/16/13 - 6:47 AM
#19
Well I was able to locate a red Ritchie compass on eBay. I spent way more than I should have but I got what I wanted. I will have my old one available for sale if anyone wants to go to the trouble to fix it as the suggestions on this thread state.if no interest here I will post on eBay.
Posted by msd58 on 02/16/13 - 7:11 AM
#20
I have a complete red plastic housing. The compass is long gone. I wonder if I could get new compass put in?