Removing the compass

[WoodyP]

I was crew on a boat across Biscay. The compass was in a box when we set off. It went downhill from there ?

 

[lustyd]

Sailing downhill is living the dream, surely? I agree a boat without a compass is bad if there isn't a good alternative. I did also say I'd want one for a long passage. For "normal" sailing though, I don't see the need. Same reason I don't carry a road atlas any more in the car (for the past 20 years).

 

[SaltIre]

I was brought up to have a strong moral compass. I don't plan to remove it - ever.?

 

[TernVI]

Yes, but I'm talking about a boat with a proper electronics package so that doesn't happen on my boat because I have a heading sensor (aka compass).

So are you saying you don't need a compass, or you're happy with an electronic compass?
Two completely different statements.

I've heard of people with steel boats, where any mag compass can be a joke, relying on GPS to tell them where they're going.
A digital compass does rather make the traditional type look a bit vague.

I wonder if the letter of the rules requiring a 'magnetic compass' would accept an electronic magnetic compass, as distinct from a gyro?
Not that I'd see any reason to push it, a 'no batteries required ' compass is a good fall back and doesn't cost much.

 

[mjcoon]

I was brought up to have a strong moral compass. I don't plan to remove it - ever.?

But has it ever been calibrated?

 

[Boathook]

More to the point how many leisure vessels maintain a suitable distance between the compass at the helm and the electronics...at the helm. Quite common to see a plotter next to one or a handheld VHF.

My MFD is close to my compass. I did some checks before installing the MFD and it didn't seem to make any difference to the compass. Some things do affect the compass more than others, but there doesn't seem to any link between size of item. Worst was a pair of sunglasses for some reason.

 

[lustyd]

So are you saying you don't need a compass, or you're happy with an electronic compass?

What I'm actually saying is that using modern sailing gear it's so rare for me to look at the magnetic compass that keeping it and compromising the equipment I do use seems like madness. There is nowhere else sensible to put it, so if I upgrade the instrument pod to include the new plotter at the helm (with 9 axis heading sensor and separate heading sensor in a GPS puck) it will be very hard to see the compass even if it were accurate with all that stuff near it (including an inductive charger for the wireless VHF mic).
Yes, I'm happy with electronic compass. It's 2021 and the "technology" is well proven and I have a suitable backup on board, although even the hand bearing compass would be about 9th in line for duty after 9 axis sensor, heading sensor, plotter 1 GPS, plotter 2 GPS, handheld GPS, watch, phone...

 

[lustyd]

My MFD is close to my compass. I did some checks before installing the MFD and it didn't seem to make any difference to the compass.

The problem with EM interference is that it's not consistent with electronics. You can test it in port and then it might do something quite different when something changes, like switching on the radar.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I was brought up to have a strong moral compass. I don't plan to remove it - ever.?

Hope you are True to that and do you have a Magnetic personality ?

What with all those ropes led back to the cockpit and halyard bags I don't know if mine
is still visible. I will check.

The compass on my Garmin wristwatch is very accurate and you don't have to be moving
like all the other stuff. That's probably the strongest reason for hanging onto the old stand alone one.

I do use the hand held when entering the Deben and Ore on the East Coast using the latest
chartlets . I find it fun and enjoyable .

Lusty mate , I think forum pressure is against you on this one

 

[lustyd]

Yes forum pressure is clearly against the idea. I knew that when I posted! It does seem like nobody else has removed it though which is what I was asking really.

You don't have to be moving for a plotter with a heading sensor, seems to be a very common misconception on this thread!

 

[capnsensible]

Just take it off and chuck it. No one else cares! It's your boat.

I guess I'm of that group of people who use the ships compass as a reference all the time. Trained for it. Plus I've been involved a bit with compass adjusting. Which is, frankly, not a black art, just needs a bit of patience.

So I personally wouldn't be without one. But if someone doesn't know how to use it, may as well get Marina skipped.

 

[Sandy]

How many leisure boats have ever had their compasses "properly adjusted"?

While I don't have my compass "properly adjusted" by a professional Compass Adjuster and I do know two people qualified to do so and charge you beer tokens, I do enjoy a morning swinging the compass. Really easy with GPS onboard.

I can only admit to having two magnetic compasses onboard and a fluxgate. I do fancy a pair of binoculars but need to save some beer tokens.

I will also admit to carrying a 40 year old atlas, my late fathers and nice to see his handwriting on several pages, in the car. Far easier to use that to plan a route than hear "Theresa May", as we call the voice of the satnav, droaning on, "At the third exit turn left".

 

[john_morris_uk]

What I'm actually saying is that using modern sailing gear it's so rare for me to look at the magnetic compass that keeping it and compromising the equipment I do use seems like madness. There is nowhere else sensible to put it, so if I upgrade the instrument pod to include the new plotter at the helm (with 9 axis heading sensor and separate heading sensor in a GPS puck) it will be very hard to see the compass even if it were accurate with all that stuff near it (including an inductive charger for the wireless VHF mic).
Yes, I'm happy with electronic compass. It's 2021 and the "technology" is well proven and I have a suitable backup on board, although even the hand bearing compass would be about 9th in line for duty after 9 axis sensor, heading sensor, plotter 1 GPS, plotter 2 GPS, handheld GPS, watch, phone...

Out of interest, how do you navigate and know which way to go? Eg across the channel to Le Havre, Cherbourg the CI’s etc?

 

[lustyd]

So I personally wouldn't be without one. But if someone doesn't know how to use it, may as well get Marina skipped.

What an odd statement. Why would you assume that I don't know how to use it just because I don't see a need? I can ride a horse, but I don't own a saddle. Or a horse come to think of it. Plenty of people know how to use a sextant and don't carry one.

 

[capnsensible]

What an odd statement. Why would you assume that I don't know how to use it just because I don't see a need? I can ride a horse, but I don't own a saddle. Or a horse come to think of it. Plenty of people know how to use a sextant and don't carry one.

Think it's you that's made an assumption there, my old salty sea dog. ?

 

[lustyd]

No, I just know how to read. No assumptions, you literally wrote the words.

 

[capnsensible]

No, I just know how to read. No assumptions, you literally wrote the words.

Well you've clearly mixed up the word 'someone' with 'you' so perhaps you may care to read it again.

At least you got the expected reaction when you posted the thread though. Well done. ??

 

[SaltIre]

Out of interest, how do you navigate and know which way to go? Eg across the channel to Le Havre, Cherbourg the CI’s etc?

I heard that South Coast sailors simply get hold of an up to date ferry timetable and follow the correct one. I'm sure it isn't the case, though.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I heard that South Coast sailors simply get hold of an up to date ferry timetable and follow the correct one. I'm sure it isn't the case, though.

As against being charged at by CalMac?
Follow a ferry? -if only our boat did 20 knots...

 

[WoodyP]

But has it ever been calibrated?

I bet it could be deviated with some strong animal magnetism.