Ritchie Compass Repair

[SV Alfresco]

I have an 1981 367 with the original Ritchie Globemaster compass. I removed it because there were stress cracks in the dome and I wanted to replace it. I found the compass bowl was fused to the original aluminum mounting and the compensator screws were also frozen. Once I started adding up the replacement parts, it was over $250. I found that Ritchie would completely refurbish it for $295, which included FedEx shipping from them. I figured that it would take it more than $45 worth of time and my chances of of refilling the compass without an air bubble were risky. Well I got a belated Christmas present today. The refurbished compass actually looks brand new. New plastic mounting with new compensators, new bowl, dome, and unbelievably, a new compass card with bigger numbers. So I got a new compass for half price.

Happy New Year,

Mike

[Dale Tanski]

Mike,

Thanks for the great information. My SP500 Ritchie compass has the same crazing on the dome and it is beginning to yellow. Good to know.

Dale