Where to find parts for a Danforth Compass?
Dear all,

I've got a Danforth compass on my 47 which needs to be repaired. There's a bubble under the dome and the dome also has some cracks. I consulted a specialist in the Netherlands, but they said they can't repair it because they don't have the parts. I don't know the exact type of the compass, but it seems to be the original one and is probably 38 years old, as is the ship.

Does anyone know:
- the type of the compass
- a source for parts
- perhaps a company or person who can repair it (preferably in the Netherlands or Europe)?

Hope someone can help.

Fair winds,

Gerrit

Hi,

you can send your compass for repair or order spareparts from www.vikingoptic.com.

They got all parts and tools from Danforth. Additionally they also recrome the cabinet cylinder. An excellent choice to use the compass for the next 35 years.

Good luck

Jan

Kalliope 38/085

Dear all:
Its actually
http://www.vikingcompass.com/compassrepair.html
Its a Danforth Constellation 6 inch, i think.
We bought one on e-bay.com last year in near perfect condition for around 150,-$ and had it delivered to friends who live in the states.
A good alternative (works also in the deep south) is the Suunto D-165 (sadly, this nice piece of equipment is out of production too, since Suunto compass went to tacktick and from there to Raymarine...). Check e-bay once in a while...
Best regards, Michael SV/VERA 47/13

Hi,

Perhaps vikingcompass.com....?

Fair Winds,

Geoff, Corazon, 411 #41

Dear Gerrit,

we had the same with our compass a couple of years ago:

"Bubbles" within the dome means missing oil - this can be refilled with a compass specialists nearby (UV resistant oil!). BUT: He probably doesn't want to do it because he has to open it and might be afraid to destroy the packings. SO: Force him to open it at your responsibility, ask him which parts he might need, determine the kind of compass (diameter of the dome?),order the needed parts with viking (new rose looks brilliant even if you might not need one!), receive the package, take it to your compass guy, wait... and smile!

We were really surprised how small the rose was in reality and how big it appears within its oil in the dome!

Good luck!

Toni (toge, 38/113)

Hi Gerrit,

back home I found a drawing of a danforth constellation compass. I am not sure if suits for any model but it might help you to determine the spare parts you need.

Fair winds,

Toni (toge, 38/113)

Dear all
A bit of compass history might interest you. The compasses used long ago were indeed Danforth Constellation 6", but the problem was that most of them had air bubbles inside upon arrival, a result of the air freight to Finland.
Therefore in the 1970's Suunto developed the D-165 as a replacement, with input from Rod Stephens. This compass was unique at the time because it was balanced for both the northern and southern hemisphere, very practical for long distance sailing. Most other compasses suffer from a tilting rose when they cross the equator.
Suunto also displayed the Nautor's Swan logo on the rose inside the compasses delivered to the yard, this practice has since been copied by other yacht builders.
Referring to re-chroming of the binnacle pls note that a layer of nickel undercoat is applied under the chrome plating, and because nickel is slightly magnetic it is not advisable to use a thick layer here.
Kind regards
Lars

Thanks for all the good advice. It seems that a solution is close. I found another specialist in Holland who has some parts and might be able to repair it. When needed we will order parts from Viking Optics. Indeed it is a 6" Danforth Constellation.

The compass came with the boat and it seems to be the original compass, so I would like to keep it. Hope all turns out well.
Thanks again.
Fair winds,

Gerrit

Hello all,

I also had the same problem on "Dream Of Swan" (44/063) compass, a Danforth Constellation and needed to replace the dome. I decided to ask a French company to rebuild it ( www.abaqueplast.fr ) and it was done very quickly for a fair price (lower than what Viking Optics asked for the original part).

Of course, it was my responsability to send exact mesurement of the dome, and it was done 10 days after.

Dismantling these compasses is very easy as they are designed to be maintained : you have regular (big) screws and no special tool is required.

FYI, the liquid inside the compass is "white spirit désaromatisé" (in French), that is a very common paint solvant. It is also a good advice to replace the dilatation membrane.

These compasses are beautifull, and I wanted to keep it because it fits perfectly the design of the boat (and it's original !! :-) ).

Fair winds to all
Fabrice

Dear Fabrice,

as you are planning to be in the Med, you can consider to send the compass to Fuselli, in Genoa. I sent him mine, about ten years ago, he rebuilt the glass and restored everything, it's still like new, will post a picture later tonight.

Look at Fuselli's website: www.fusellifassio.it

Fair winds!

matteo (38/067 Only You)

Thank you for the link Matteo !!
Here is exactly what I asked for my compass :
http://www.abaqueplast.fr/produits/fiche.php?id=73
Sorry, it's in French...

Dear Fabrice,

just to get you an idea I think, ten years ago, I spent about Euro 180/190, and, believe me, he made a fabolous job, he completely renewed it!

No problem with the French, I am terrible in writing it, but can easily read and talk it (...easily...you will judge in Marciana...!)

Fair winds!

matteo (38/067 Only You)

Dear Fabrice,

here you are!

Fair winds!

matteo (38/067 Only You)

pic taken 2007, job done ten years ago (still in same condition)