In 2006, my boat was trucked from Wisconsin. After launch, I noticed
the Ritchie compass was not reacting normally (slow to adjust to changes
in direction). Took it to have it checked out. Repair guy took it
apart and replaced a broken spring (he said, I really don't know what he
did) and he refilled with mineral oil. Compass has worked fine since.
He advised to remove the compass during winter layup as the freezing
temps here could possibly damage the seals. I have not removed the
compass during the winter and so far there does not appear to be any
adverse issue(s). I felt removing the compass provided more chances of
a mishap (like me dropping it to the ground) than leaving it on the
boat. Since most, if not all, of my boats neighbors did not remove
them, neither would I.
I read somewhere that the freezing temp of mineral was 24F or -4C (it
contracts, not expands) and our temps get well below that
Rob Abbott
AZURA
C&C 32 - 84
Halifax, N.S.
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