tboehm
Well-known member
Looking for a gift for a friend and looking for recommendations on a quality marine compass for his hews. Not sure what to look for or brands. What price points make the difference $50, $100, $200?
Marine Compass
- Thread starter tboehm
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iofthetaiga
Well-known member
I chose one of these for my new skiff: https://www.ritchienavigation.com/pr...h-mount-3-3-4/
I think it's a good choice for powerboats that go fast and tend to get the snot pounded out of them. It was easy to get adjusted and so far seems to be extremely robust and very accurate. (First thing I did was fumble it and drop it in the boat while removing it from the packaging... It seems to be pretty tough). Can't address the question regarding price points.
I think it's a good choice for powerboats that go fast and tend to get the snot pounded out of them. It was easy to get adjusted and so far seems to be extremely robust and very accurate. (First thing I did was fumble it and drop it in the boat while removing it from the packaging... It seems to be pretty tough). Can't address the question regarding price points.
tboehm
Well-known member
He does have the spot on his dash and is wanting to get one. Not sure about the magnetic field. THat is one of the things I need to learn about and is there models of compass that are less affected by it or a design that reduces it. Is there a way to test it?
i think the easiest way to test is with an old hand held compass. Take the compass away from anything near the boat and see which way the boat is a aligned. Then take the compass inside the boat and see if you get the same orientation as outside the boat. I only use my compass for general direction. Magnetic north moves and if you use the declination listed on your chart, you are probably going to be off a few degrees. I keep a mental note in my head; heading out of port to the narrows, compass should be 252 degrees. 72 degrees on return.
Yes, compass is used to find problems with magnetic fields on a boat. Just not any compass it needs to be sensitive to small magnetic fields and follow the proper way to test a boat. It not a big deal if you can see where your going, what about running in fog or the dead of night?
They do make marine compasses with remote sensor that can be put in a location that has less with magnetic fields if you need one.
They do make marine compasses with remote sensor that can be put in a location that has less with magnetic fields if you need one.
iofthetaiga
Well-known member
Compass needs to be located at least 18' or so from other electronics, especially the VHF radio. Then, once it's installed it's adjusted to accommodate the inherent magnetic fields in the boat, as well as for current declination correction. It's not terribly difficult; just read/follow the instructions that will come with any decent unit you choose. It'll take less than an hour out on the water to get it dialed in and perfectly accurate. (You can't do the adjustment accurately while it's sitting on a trailer in your driveway).
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DRIFTER_016
Well-known member
I bought one of these for my 18 footer.
https://www.ritchienavigation.com/product/ritchieangler-surface-mount-2/
https://www.ritchienavigation.com/product/ritchieangler-surface-mount-2/
