Bosun Compass Sowester Heath

[Egret]

There will be a lot kept in cupboards, or on a display shelf as mine is, only going the the boat when needed.

The kind of thing you keep when you sell a boat.

Just have to set the course by degrees then keep the arrow steady between the parallel lines, and nice and clear - much easier to steer with than a bulkhead mounted compass

 

[Hoolie]

Thankee. Encouraging. Mine are in mint condition so that will be a price point I can use.

BTW do you know that sold items can be included in an eBay search if you tick the right box? Very useful for seeing what the actual prices were as opposed to the optimistic asking prices.

 

[Egret]

Don't worry about the value it might be - pass it on to someone who will use it in the way intended.

 

[Tranona]

I think I would rather keep my old hat, certainly wouldn't go to sea without a working compass. As OCuea says electronics can and DO go wrong.

Nowhere did I say that a compass was not necessary. I was explaining that the grid steering compass was particularly useful "in the day". However I would suggest that it is no longer the primary means of setting and checking a course. Common now to steer to a waypoint or set the autopilot to sail to the wind and monitor by XTE. The grid compass gave you effectively a "waypoint" - that is a desired course to a destination and the grid lines an indication of deviation from that course.

 

[Sandy]

If you use a compass and not electrical device, what is your favourite?

I have a 43 year relationship with a Silva 'sighting' compass, the modern version is a Expedition S, it is an old friend and has seen me safe and sound all over the UK and the Pyrenees.

The compass on my current boat is a bog standard Silva globe type thing found on most production boats. I really need to check it on some transits soon. From time to time sail on boats with a proper round compass mounted on top of the binnacle. I rather like those.

I always have my Iris 50 Hand-bearing in my kit bag for delivery trips.