I also have the original pedestal helm steering. And I have sort of good news and bad news. The good news, I just last weekend (June 1 '08) mounted a brand new compass, replacing what may have been the original on my '75 Dawson. (Are you sure your boat is PD and not a D? It's your boat, so I guess you'd know).

The not so good news is that I didn't mount it directly on top of the pedestal, but on a new "box table top" that I mounted on top of my pedestal steering last year. The reason for this table top was to create a platform for the control module of my brand new Tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke OB that is mounted on a Garelick heavy duty mount on the port transom. But that's a separate sermon....

I will have to post some pictures of this..., although, since you don't have said box on your pedestal, my engineering marvel is probably of little interest. >sigh<

But, I can share these learnings with you:

On compasses: I got mine from Defender.com. Good source to know about. ES Ritchie is the maker. You want to find a binnacle mount compass, if you're still looking for one. (Maybe you already have purchased your new one). Don't go on the cheap, if you're still shopping, but don't blow a thousand dollars, either.

On pieces and parts for your pedestal, look at edson.com. Defender.com might be a source but edson will likely have answers to your questions.

It'd be nice if the bolt pattern footprint matches your existing. If not, look carefully at the top of your pedestal. The very top may be a  detachable ring that you can remove (use a mallet, not a hammer, if you have to bang it loose after you pull the screws). You can have a new footprint set into it for your new compass. I guess you can have that done even if the top is not a detachable ring, but somehow I think you benefit from knowing whether or not you can pull that ring.



Peter de Puy
Portsmouth, NH
1975 Dawson 26

All good advice. Thanks. I do want a pedestal mount and a quality compass.

Yes, my boat is at Great Bay Marine in Newington, NH. I never saw your note. Yes, we were going to connect last year, but never did. I'd still like to connect in person sometime.

As for the history of my boat... as far as I know, it was built in Nevada as a Dawson 26, but was never sold as such, shipped east and became the original "show" model for the Parker Dawson 26.