A compass is a must-have on your boat, even if you have a plethora of gadgets designed to assist you in navigation. However, you must ensure that you have installed it properly and are utilizing it properly. If you wish to prevent being disoriented when traveling with your family, read my essay on navigation.
A boat compass should be mounted in the front of the boat and right before the helmsman so that it may be read easily while steering the vessel. In general, the compass should be kept away from ferrous materials and electrical items which may confound its readings.
In this post, we’ll discuss where a boat compass should be placed, discuss factors that contribute to the accuracy of your readings, and provide navigation advice.
What is a Compass for a Boat?
This is a gadget that will assist you in following maritime charts, allowing you to locate shore whenever you want. On a boat, you may use one of three types of compasses: magnetic, GPS, or fluxgate.
Compass Magnetic
This is a simple instrument with a needle or pointer pointing to Magnetic North.
Are you contemplating the purchase of a magnetic compass for your boat? Here are my recommendations.
Excellent: Dash Mount Flush – Compass for Boats
Better: Black Flush Mount Compass (F-50)
The Ritchie Flush Mount Compass is the best.
Compass GPS
This is dependent on satellite data to identify your precise position. It will assist you in determining True North. It makes use of two GPS antennae that are placed close together to determine the direction.
It functions similarly to the compass found on a smartphone, but is much more accurate. Additionally, they may display other data such as speed, precise location, and rate of turn. However, they are susceptible to signal loss during inclement weather or if not properly positioned.
Compass Fluxgate
To identify direction, electricity is passed via coils coiled around the core of a permeable magnetic.
Magnetic compasses are the most often used and also the safest. When you’re out on a boat, you have little control over the weather or other external variables that may damage your equipment. You need a simple gadget that operates autonomously in the event that satellite waves are blocked or there are power generation issues.
Magnetic compasses come in three shapes: flat, conical, and cylindrical. Compasses with flat faces are ideal for larger vessels that sail in harsh weather. They may be stored in binnacles, which are receptacles for the compass and its components.
A binnacle is often constructed of wood or another material that will not impair the compass’s accuracy. It enables simple access during stormy seas.
Compass shapes such as conical and cylindrical are better suited to smaller vessels. They are ideal for boaters who like to sit at the helm or steering wheel and gaze down at the compass.
Where Is the Best Place to Mount a Boat Compass?
Numerous boating enthusiasts are perplexed regarding the ideal location for a compass. As a consequence, they often get inaccurate readings that cause them to veer off course.
To ensure that your compass is accurate, you must place it in the proper location. Additionally, you should mount it properly.
The compass should be mounted in the front of the boat, directly in front of the helmsman. Here are some pointers to assist you in correctly mounting it.
Ascertain that the magnetic compass is not in contact with any ferrous items. These factors may cause the compass to provide incorrect readings.
Electronics may also have an effect on magnetic compasses. These have an electric magnetic field that skews the readings on your compass.
It should be kept away from power lines.
Compasses should not be positioned next to magnetic items.
How to Mount a Compass on a Boat?
Mounting your compass flush to the helm or dashboard is generally the best method to ensure its accuracy. It takes up less space and ensures the safety of your compass while sailing. You should ensure that you’ve secured it using bronze or stainless steel washers and screws.
The bracket attachment enables you to position the compass freely. The term “overhead mounting” refers to the compass being suspended from the ceiling at eye level.
If you’re installing the compass yourself, you may choose bracket installation due to its simplicity. While flush installation is more precise, it makes adjusting and repairing the compass very difficult if anything goes wrong. If you have a larger boat with a steering hut, overhead mounting is the way to go. However, it is not appropriate for smaller boats. Here’s how to select the ideal location.
Ascertain that the compass is positioned as near to the boat’s center as feasible. Any deviations will be symmetrical. To get the best accurate readings, the rubber line should be parallel to the keel along the boat’s centerline.
Access to the compass should be simple; otherwise, it will become very difficult to use. It should be visible from the helm without interfering with your ability to view other boats and vessels directly ahead of you.
While facing north, move the compass along the dash area. If it changes direction without your steering wheel movement, this location is incorrect.
Seize the opportunity to sail in the direction of a landmark and follow the route shown on a nautical chart. Contrast the direction shown on the compass with the direction indicated on your chart.
What Is the Function of a Boat Compass?
A magnetic compass card is connected with tiny magnets. This card has a scale that is mounted on a bearing that moves in response to changes in direction.
The compass is filled with liquid air, which enables the card to move freely while reading directions through the needle or lubber line.
This line indicates directions, while the card has indicators for North, South, East, and West.
While it may seem simple to grasp how a compass works, the reality is that it is not. Before you begin using a marine compass, you should familiarize yourself with the terms Magnetic North, True North, and Grid North.
Magnetic North is the usual direction of the compass. It points towards the direction of the North Pole, although its orientation changes throughout time.
True North and Grid North are in close proximity to one another. Grid North is the map’s center vertical line, while True North is the Earth’s axis. Both of them are capable of precise navigation.
The angle between True North and Magnetic North is called magnetic declination, and it varies from location to place. You may rotate the ring right or left to orient your compass to True North.
Is my Compass Reliable?
This is the most critical question to ask before departing the marina. It is critical to your life and the lives of others.
A compass can assist you in securely navigating your boat in the event of decreased visibility due to a storm or fog. To ensure optimum safety, you must ensure that your compass is neither damaged nor misplaced.
If you see air bubbles within the compass, it is most likely not functioning correctly. In this situation, the prudent course of action is to get it changed immediately and prior to your next boating trip.
You may make a comparison between your compass and a GPS. The GPS should be set to True North in this instance.
Take your boat out on the lake and keep an eye on a map marked with markers for some of the area’s most renowned landmarks. These will assist you in determining the most direct route to and from this location. Compare the chart line to your compass reading to see whether it is incorrect.
Contrast your compass with a new one purchased from a shop.
How to Accurately Calibrate the Compass
Corrector magnets are used to calibrate or swing the compass. These will eliminate the deviation and restore precision.
Over time, if the compass is not properly centered or if you keep certain electrical gadgets nearby, it may vary from the correct direction. Professional compass swingers ride the boat and compare the directional line to an accurate compass, resulting in the creation of a deviation card.
Following that, the appropriate magnets are put around the compass to reduce or eliminate deviation. This procedure is not advised for beginners, and it is strongly recommended that you engage a specialist to do it.
What Is the Distinction Between GPS and Compass?
While GPS systems are highly dependable technological instruments, they may not be the optimal choice for navigation. To begin, severe weather conditions may impair the accuracy of your GPS gadget, causing you to go away from land rather than toward it.
Solar storms and radio interference will also cause GPS measurements to be inaccurate. In certain instances, you may be beyond the satellite’s coverage region or the satellite may be down for repair. You will be off the grid during certain times, which may be very hazardous.
When you’re traveling, your GPS will indicate your direction. It can not tell you the direction you are pointing in, in contrast to a compass, which can be used to navigate to any point on the map.
GPS gadgets need electricity. If you lose electricity for whatever reason, you will be completely alone. For all of these reasons, it’s preferable to rely on an old-fashioned compass that requires little calibration and upkeep to function properly. It will not let you down if technology falls short of your expectations.
Conclusion
A magnetic compass is required for every boat. When correctly mounted, a magnetic compass provides the most precise and dependable readings in all sailing circumstances.
Before you take your boat for a trip, ensure that your compass is correctly calibrated and installed. You’ll have peace of mind and arrive safely at your destination.
