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I have an old Ritchie compass that has developed a bubble , anyone have experience in getting one of these repaired ?

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Bubbles generally mean a leak.

http://www.ritchienavigation.com/ation.com/

Contact Ritchie and see if you can get a replacement head unit.
Or, ask them if you can send it in for repair.
Or, you may be able to refill it yourself. I can't think of what is used inside right now but someone else will let us know.

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Jim, I believe most of the old Ritchies were filled with odorless mineral spirits. I have a portion of an old manual, which was emailed to me by Ritchie, that contains a diagram of the compass and instructions on how to identify a suspected leak. I'd be glad to forward that to you. If you'd like, just send an email to gwmeader@gmail.com and I can send the file (.pdf) as a reply. - Garret

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I just sent my 1987 Ritchie in to the factory today for service. They will reply in two weeks with quote. I had a leak, and decided to send it in for a new globe and repair. I have heard some good things about their service so I should know in two weeks I guess.....Jack

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I live in Connecticut and am lucky enough to have found a factory repair rep. locally today. He called me back this afternoon and in detail described the bubble to me. The compass being outside in the winter will develop a dime sized bubble as the mineral spirits contract, he assured me the bubble would resolve on its own as the weather warms if not an easy fix. The compass in question is mounted in the console of my "parts" ribside outside.

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The Ritchie compass, which I believe is a model HF 72 and original to my 1989 Outrage 22 has had the same bubble since I acquired the boat. The size of the bubble varies. No matter the size of the bubble, it certainly is annoying.

I have wondered if it would be better to replace the compass or have it repaired. I will follow this thread with interest.

Doug

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My compass is also an HF72, it developed a small bubble that changed in size as temps dropped. It got a bigger this fall, but what I have now is no fluid above the compass dial, and a very small amount of fluid around the outside, it is as if it evaporated. I would not think mineral oil would evaporate. You are right about the bubble being very annoying. I think I would not being doing anything if the bubble would go away like it did every summer. It was time.....Jack

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Guys I am interested to know how much the total repairs end up being. You can often find new ones on ebay for under $50. I was just out bid in the last minute on a new F 82 for $33.

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Jeff,

I know what you mean. I would like to know how repair cost compares to replacement. If it is kind of close, I would go with a new one.

Doug

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It's an oil in the compass, I watched as a friend swore it was "Kerosene" inside, he refilled it and all of the "Cards" fell off the globe, "THANKS PAL" !
mw

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Got a call from Ritchie today, compass will be $86 ,shipping included, to refurburish to as new with new globe and a one year warranty. I asked for a manual to help set up the compensation when I get it back, the tech said ok, but that the compensation rods will not be adjusted from where they are at. I have a friend that went through the same process and received a brand new one in lieu of repair. I will receive it in three weeks. From some quick checks $86 is about 50% of retail, perhaps I could do better on E-Bay, but I'm happy.....Jack

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Received my repaired compass from Ritchie today. It is not new and parts of it are from my 1987 compass, those parts are, the compensation rods not adjusted from my setting, bottom plate, and adaptor ring for mounting, everything else including the dial look brand new. The sticker now reads HF-72-S......C/87 RO108, which I think might mean that my 1987 compass was repaired in 1/08. I am happy with the outcome , somehow fixing the compass makes me feel like I'm actually maintaining the boat , not just replacing parts.........THANX RITCHIE!....Jack:D

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Thanks for the update Jack. I am still looking for the red ritchie explorer for the newport but think I will snag a nice newer bracket mount on eBay if summer comes before I can find an explorer.

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Jeff,

I never liked the bracket mounts too much.
Ritchie still makes the D-55 which is a deck mount which has roughly the same mount as the original red ritchie.

I had one of the D-55's on my Montauk.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...oto_id=299

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Joe,

I really dislike those types of display cards. I much prefer the flat cards that can be read while standing up. I do like the binnicle mounts though. The helmsman HD 744 is a binnicle mount with the flat card that I like.

[img]http://www.ritchienavigation.com/catalog/images/products/HD-744-400.jpg[/img]

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I was ready to toss out my '86 D-55 due to an apparent leak, but upon removal I found a fill hole. I cleaned the whole thing, and re-filled with mineral spirits last night. I have it in my garage on a bed of paper towels to watch for a few days. No sign of any leakage this am.

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Just read this thread but...

Ritchie compasses have to be the best in the world.

1. Great product
2. Great designs
3. Great service/follow-up
4. Made in the ol US of A (much much better than crappy chinese stuff p.s. I'm an Aussie!)

I had a one mounted in my 23 Conquest - it had a cracked sphere and oil (yes light refined oil, not Kero - got a laugh at the post above) leaked out and a broken light cover. No problems all fixable and back in the boat...

Anybody asks me for a compass - Get a Ritchie.

Mike...

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Update: Mine is leaking. 1.5" bubble since I last posted.
I'm going to go with a new one at some point.

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The bubble I earlier described has now developed a life of it's own,on cold mornings it's about dime sized by noon it's gone.

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Thanks for the info on the Ritchie compass repair. I have a 1989 Super Sport 1000 that I'm going to be sending back for repair (fluid leak), based on the recommendations from this post. I like a company that will still support it's products even after so many years and it just didn't feel right throwing my old reliable friend for a new one.

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Just last week, I refurbed my F83 with parts and instructions from Ritchie. The new O-Ring, Globe, Diaphragm and filler screw O- Ring came to around $30. I filled it with Odorless Mineral Spirits. They recommend you chill the mineral spirits prior to filling to prevent bubbles. The fluid contracts in the cold.
Mine came out as good as new. Plus it was very simple. All the instructions and contact info is on their web site.