Steering (Magnetic) Compass
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:42 am
Hi All,
Thinking of getting a new steering compass, (did the forum search first but there's almost not detailed info on the forum about this piece of navigation equipment.)
I'm looking for one that is:
large enough card to watch easily (esp in a rough sea)
Lubber line
outside reading card, (and top too..?)
Can take about 25 degrees heeling (and bobbing about)
Dampened card
red 12v light for night use (probably when its most needed)
Probably bracket mounted (where and how do you mount your compass, how is it?)
Economical price
What color card? (have seen blue ones, are these better than black?)
Cardinal points and/or 360 degrees?
bearings? lifespan?
David's described his compass on another posting, its a "Plastimo Iris 100" dual purpose steering and hand-bearing type with battery lighting . viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1121&hilit=compass
only after a steering compass for now, (see handbearing c"s below)
Also i have a small Suunto hand-bearing compass already (and use my red head torch light at night), it was from mapping work and is high quality, weather resistant and seems to do the job (but of course a dedicated marine one would be ultimate, like my Dad's 1960's navy rubber hockey puck one with a radioactive? light source..they didn't know much about cancer in the old days?!)
(also have a plastic flip top grid Suunto hiking compass - tried it, blue tacked to seat but its too small to read)
Both of these are land compasses.
I had a 3"?-4"? card, bracket mounted, domed glass, 12v red lit compass came with my my Hartley 16 and it was good (forgot the brand). Mounted on the 4" high hatch coaming, under the sliding hatch (perhaps not an option in I563? much narrower coaming)
Had a 4" card, c'pit bulkhead mounted, domed glass, 12v red lit compass (forgot brand) on my Endeavor 24. Also good.
Ozzie, you mentioned being blindfolded on moonless night (in an unlit bay?) and getting someone to spin the boat around a few times, then see if you have any idea where you are..that got me thinking! Disorientation is a real danger. At the moment i'm minimal with an $20 "Azimuth 100" (miniature, too small to steer by but ok to know if its N, S, E or W or between those cardinal points, won't go off of a 180 deg course change at least!)
It would be great to hear your thoughts and details about magnetic compasses, or ones you might prefer.
Plastimo, Silva, Ritchie, Azimuth, are some brands i've seen on the net and in boating stores.
Cheers
Thinking of getting a new steering compass, (did the forum search first but there's almost not detailed info on the forum about this piece of navigation equipment.)
I'm looking for one that is:
large enough card to watch easily (esp in a rough sea)
Lubber line
outside reading card, (and top too..?)
Can take about 25 degrees heeling (and bobbing about)
Dampened card
red 12v light for night use (probably when its most needed)
Probably bracket mounted (where and how do you mount your compass, how is it?)
Economical price
What color card? (have seen blue ones, are these better than black?)
Cardinal points and/or 360 degrees?
bearings? lifespan?
David's described his compass on another posting, its a "Plastimo Iris 100" dual purpose steering and hand-bearing type with battery lighting . viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1121&hilit=compass
only after a steering compass for now, (see handbearing c"s below)
Also i have a small Suunto hand-bearing compass already (and use my red head torch light at night), it was from mapping work and is high quality, weather resistant and seems to do the job (but of course a dedicated marine one would be ultimate, like my Dad's 1960's navy rubber hockey puck one with a radioactive? light source..they didn't know much about cancer in the old days?!)
(also have a plastic flip top grid Suunto hiking compass - tried it, blue tacked to seat but its too small to read)
Both of these are land compasses.
I had a 3"?-4"? card, bracket mounted, domed glass, 12v red lit compass came with my my Hartley 16 and it was good (forgot the brand). Mounted on the 4" high hatch coaming, under the sliding hatch (perhaps not an option in I563? much narrower coaming)
Had a 4" card, c'pit bulkhead mounted, domed glass, 12v red lit compass (forgot brand) on my Endeavor 24. Also good.
Ozzie, you mentioned being blindfolded on moonless night (in an unlit bay?) and getting someone to spin the boat around a few times, then see if you have any idea where you are..that got me thinking! Disorientation is a real danger. At the moment i'm minimal with an $20 "Azimuth 100" (miniature, too small to steer by but ok to know if its N, S, E or W or between those cardinal points, won't go off of a 180 deg course change at least!)
It would be great to hear your thoughts and details about magnetic compasses, or ones you might prefer.
Plastimo, Silva, Ritchie, Azimuth, are some brands i've seen on the net and in boating stores.
Cheers