Compass selection and location

[Andy B]

My boat doesn't have a compass.  I think that's necessary equipment, first as a backup to any electronics and second because it keeps me on track (literally), as I have a tendency to look around too much and chart a squiggly course. 

 

What compasses do you recommend, and where are they placed?

 

On my Sea Pearl 21 I have something like this model, which I have enjoyed.  It's placed just aft of the mizzen mast.

https://silvasweden.com/en/products/70un

[Andy B]

Here is a roundup of opinions from the forum in the past:

Graham wrote about the CS 17:

Finding the ideal place for the compass is tough. My compass is bigger than necessary (it is not 5") but it is one that I had. I had previously sailed with the compass mounted close to the aft end of the forward seat by the trunk, but for the Everglades Challenge I was concerned that when one of us was sleeping while off-watch it would be covered for too much of the time and the helmsman would struggling over not wanting to wake the crew and the need to stay on course.

If it is near the mizzen you are reading the compass 90 degrees off course with lots of potential for tired sailors to make errors. I prefer to look forward at the compass. I also wanted it clear of the mizzen as the rig had to be removed for the bridges. Probably the ideal is to have two compasses, one on each side deck in front of the helmsman, but it could be obstructed when both crew are hiking out.

While it is not ideal where it is and I have to sit tall to read it I am going to live with it where it is until I can find somewhere better.

 

And then Dave (Hirilonde) takes things to the next level:

 

The only way that gets in my boat is if Dave sends me a Christmas present   Awesome workmanship!

[Steve W]

I'm of no help other than to add that having  compass that's easy to read is a joy. I use mine mostly to hold course or make sure whoever I'm sailing with is holding course. I know you are younger than me, so make sure you anticipate the days of older eyes. Bigger and closer are better. I added that same Silva compass I had on Wildcat and it was just too small where it was mounted on Skeena. Here is the backlit big font upgrade on the cockpit forward bulkhead.  Sadly, it's hard to see exactly where this is. I'll shoot a better pic tonight. 

[Don Silsbe]

I’ve got a large off-brand model built in Spain.  I will mount it somewhere forward of the mizzen, more in my natural field of view.  It will be removable.  Most of my sailing will continue to be daysailing on a reservoir.  No need for a compass most of the time.

[AmosSwogger]

I copied Steve (thanks Steve!) and put a compass where he did.  It's a good location. I like that it's on the  centerline of the boat, and it's easy to get power to it for the light.

[Andy B]

Thanks, everyone.  I don't have the Mark 3, so no bulkhead to sink a compass in to.  I will take Steve's advice to get something I can read.

 

Don, I agree on the removable part, but would add that even in a daysail, having a compass visiblehelps me keep a straight line a bit better and just makes the sail feel more like an adventure.  I mean, I'm just daysailing, but I COULD start crossing the great lakes right now if I wanted  

[Reacher]

https://www.westmarine.com/ritchie-navigation-tactician-sailing-compass-9500257.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=[ADL][PLA] Electronics %26 Navigation_Test&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwooq3BhB3EiwAYqYoEtFRgZNoDiQwkGZoKRshXxGFk9StamNPFvVTThUTAzWISztqQ8XENBoCJ_sQAvD_BwE

 

I have this one. More expensive than I remember but good for any viewing angle because it is works well with the side lubber lines. I mounted mine ahead of the mizzen so I am always looking from one side or the other. There is an easy to read scale of 4 sequences of 0-8 around the edge of the card. Once you have a course just line one of the side lubber lines up with the number behind it and that's your heading. And for tacking, if your close hauled heading is a "4" eg, when you tack it will still be "4" if you tacked through 90 degrees.

 

Removable with a twist lock mount. 

[Paul356]

A different approach:  I had a 3.5 inch pedestal compass on the big boat that couldn't be read from where I sat while steering, so I replaced it.  I took that old compass and made a box for it and that's what I use on the CS 17 now.  I just put the box on the floor and lay it next to the keel.  It works fine, and in this boat I can see it well.  When I don't need it, I put the cover on and the box goes back in the locker.  Like others, I had trouble finding a permanent mounting spot that I liked. Photo below.

 

I also put the GPS on a mobile mount, which is a 6-or-so-inch diameter circle of 1.5" wood with non-skid drawer liner on the bottom and the GPS cradle on the top.  I move it around so I can see it from wherever I sit and wherever the sun isn't shining.  This replaced the thwart-mounted cradle, which provided visible GPS only about 50% of the time.  This is for the small Garmin 78sc handheld.  That said, sometimes I just keep the Garmin in the pocket on my vest and pull it out as needed.

[Don Silsbe]

@Reacher— I love that compass!  
@Paul356— I like the box idea.  I just might copy that one.

[Don Silsbe]

Hey, wait.  I built a nifty little storage box for that compass.  I think I’m done!

[Jknight611]

When I started flying in the Gulf ‘O Mexico, the compass, chart and windshield was the primary and only source of navigation.  When LORAN came about and we had to type each set of “numbers “ into the box we thought our navigation days we were over!    
 

NOT! 

Get a good compass, good charts and learn how to use them,  they will never fail you.  The stuff with wire hooked to them…..

[Andy B]

13 hours ago, Jknight611 said:

Get a good compass, good charts and learn how to use them,  they will never fail you.  The stuff with wire hooked to them…..

I agree.  I'm not great shakes with paper and compass, but I can use them in a pinch.  And, as mentioned above, I think they are great for keeping on a course even when day sailing.

One of my proudest dad moments was having a 13 year old son get us from bouy to bouy, about 12 miles, using only paper and compass. 

[Reacher]

On 9/17/2024 at 6:08 PM, Jknight611 said:

Get a good compass, good charts and learn how to use them,  they will never fail you.  The stuff with wire hooked to them…..

From experience cruising on the Great Lakes I’d add a depth sounder to the compass and charts, especially in hazy conditions. “Maintain that course toward St Martin Island until we get to 30’ of water then tack.”

[Andy B]

4 hours ago, Reacher said:

From experience cruising on the Great Lakes I’d add a depth sounder to the compass and charts, especially in hazy conditions. “Maintain that course toward St Martin Island until we get to 30’ of water then tack.”

What model sounder do you hide?

[Don Silsbe]

Actually, you have a depth sounder built into your boat— it is called a centerboard. 
 

But if you’re set on having electronics, I’d go cheap.  This is as cheap as you’ll get.

 

In fact, I have one I’d sell you for $50, but it’d cost you probably another $20 to ship it to you.

[Jknight611]

I have NASA brand depth sounders on my Flinders,  centerboard on my Core Sound, and plan to use NASA brand on my (way unfinished) Looper 30. The display is large, seems to work well, not ridiculously expensive.  On my Flinders it just “shoots “ through the hull so no hole, just bond a piece of PVC pile to the hull, plop the transducer in and fill it with baby oil, then glue the top on.