About Ritchie Navigation
Ritchie marine compasses for the helm, in flush, surface and bracket mount 12 V models from the Explorer, Voyager, SuperSport, RitchieSport and RitchieAngler ranges, plus the SportAbout handheld. Ritchie says it was founded in 1850 by Edward Samuel Ritchie, and the company is family owned in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Order online from Scuba Evolution in Johannesburg, delivered anywhere in South Africa.
Ritchie Navigation in South Africa
Ritchie says Edward Samuel Ritchie, a physicist, began work on the first US-made marine compass in 1850, using a liquid-filled design. The company is privately held by the Sherman family in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Every fixed compass in our range shares the same core: a sapphire jewel and hardened steel pivot, DirectiveForce magnets for a quick heading, and built-in compensators so you can correct for deviation once it's installed. Most are listed by Ritchie as 100% repairable.
Start with where it will mount
Flush mount compasses drop into a hole in the console and sit neatly out of the way, so measure your panel before you choose. The Explorer Flush Mount has a 70 mm dial and needs a 95 mm hole. The Voyager Flush Mount has a 76 mm PowerDamp dial in an 89 mm hole.
Bracket mounts go on a flat, angled or overhead surface and can be tilted to the helm and taken off with thumbscrews for security. Choose the Explorer Bracket Mount for a 70 mm direct-reading dial, or the Voyager in a CombiDial or open-face version with a 76 mm dial. The RitchieAngler is the 70 mm bracket compass in a no-glare grey finish with a blue face, aimed at fishing boats. On a small boat with little dash space, the RitchieSport X-10 has a 51 mm dial and a reversible bracket that mounts through more than 300 degrees.
The Explorer Surface Mount is low profile, and the compass module lifts out with a push-button release for storage.
Larger boats and rough water
Dial size matters more as the helm gets further from the compass. The SuperSport Venture has a 95 mm dial and blue LED lighting, and Ritchie designed it mainly for power boats of about 4.9 m to 10.7 m. The SuperSport Navigator was developed on offshore race boats: a 115 mm dial with large white numerals, an internal gimbal for pitch and roll, and a 121 to 130 mm mounting hole.
A handheld backup
The SportAbout Handheld Compass has a 51 mm dial in an impact-resistant safety yellow case, a neck lanyard and a V-notch for taking bearings. It needs no power and suits a tender or a dinghy.
Browse more in navigation and signals.
Questions we get asked
Which Ritchie compass fits my console?
Measure the mounting hole or space first. The Explorer Flush Mount needs a 95 mm hole, the Voyager Flush Mount an 89 mm hole and the SuperSport Navigator a 121 to 130 mm hole; if there's no room to cut, choose a bracket or surface mount model.
Do Ritchie compasses light up at night?
Yes. The 12 V models have built-in night lighting, green on most and blue LED on the SuperSport Venture. The SportAbout handheld uses non-electric chem sticks instead.
What is compass deviation and can I correct it?
Deviation is the error caused by metal and electronics near the compass on your boat. Ritchie's fixed compasses have built-in compensators so you can adjust it out after installation.
Can I use a Ritchie compass for diving?
No. These are boat compasses for the helm or for bearings from the deck. For navigating underwater you need a wrist or console dive compass.
Is Ritchie an American company?
Yes. Ritchie says it was founded in 1850 by Edward Samuel Ritchie and is privately held by the Sherman family in Pembroke, Massachusetts.
How do I order Ritchie compasses in Johannesburg?
Order the Ritchie range online from Scuba Evolution in Johannesburg, delivered anywhere in South Africa.