Deck Compass Recommendations

[John Caldeira]

I want to buy a removable deck compass for my touring kayak and would
appreciate recommendations on features, brands and models.

I have several kayaks and don't want to buy a separate compass for
each one, so one that can be moved between kayaks might be best.

A store near me offers one model called Suunto Orca, but it has very
small numbers that seemingly would be hard to read, and appeared to be
made of cheap plastic. Can I do better for under $100 USD?

Thanks,
John

John Caldeira
Dallas, Texas, USA
http://www.outdoorplace.org/

[Brian Nystrom]

The problem with this type of compass is that they're prone to
variations in mounting and shifing in use. They're simply not accurate.
They are certainly better than nothing, but I wouldn't rely on one. I
suggest that you bite the bullet and buy compasses each boat and mount
them securely. If you seach the web, you can find the Ritchie Kayaker
for under $50 at places like Hamilton Marine. If your boats have a
recess for the Brunton 70P (formerly the Silva/Nexus 70P), it's
expensive, but it's a great compass.

--
Regards

Brian

[Dave Van]

> From: Brian Nystrom <brian....@att.net>
> Organization: AT&T Worldnet
> Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle.touring
> Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 12:25:05 GMT
> Subject: Re: Deck Compass Recommendations

>
> The problem with this type of compass is that they're prone to
> variations in mounting and shifing in use. They're simply not accurate.
> They are certainly better than nothing, but I wouldn't rely on one. I
> suggest that you bite the bullet and buy compasses each boat and mount
> them securely. If you seach the web, you can find the Ritchie Kayaker
> for under $50 at places like Hamilton Marine. If your boats have a
> recess for the Brunton 70P (formerly the Silva/Nexus 70P), it's
> expensive, but it's a great compass.
>
> --
> Regards
>
> Brian
>

I don't have a need for a compass at this time so I haven't really shopped
the offereings. I have an Orca that I use for "fun" sometimes and agree
that it is not one to rely on. I like that it can be moved from boat to boat
effortlessly. But aren't there some compasses that have a separate mounting
plate that the compass then attaches to? This would make it feasible to buy
a few mounting plates and one compass. If this doesn't exist, then some
innovative compass manufacturer needs to get busy...

[Michael Daly]

On 7-Nov-2003, Dave Van <da...@brick-nospam-garage.com> wrote:

> But aren't there some compasses that have a separate mounting
> plate that the compass then attaches to?

There are several. The only brand I remember ('cause I own one)
is the Brunton (70UN and 70UNE - the latter being the illuminated
version). There is a similar compass from another company. The
Brunton is pricy, but as Brian says, it's good (the 70UN is the
hand/deck mount version of the 70P).

The only complaint I have with this compass is that it sits high
on the deck. I really like the fact that I can take it in hand
and do sightings on references and get bearings to assist in
position determination.

The Ritchie Kayaker compass has a twist-off feature. I assume
this means that it can be removed and remounted on other kayaks.
This is also an excellent compass.

Mike

[Dave Van]

"Michael Daly" <micha...@rogers.notthis.com> wrote in message
news:SDOqb.38767$YN6....@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

Well there you go... It sure seemed nuts to be forced to buy a separate
compass for each boat.

[Blankibr]

I use marine velcro to move my compass from one boat to another. I confess I
don't usually have one mounted at all.

I also "dummy cord" the compass to the boat as I have knocked it off a couple
times (surf and paddle strike).

A friend mounted a quality compass on a wood block. The underside is sculped
to match his deck ridge. He then uses bungies with clips to hold it in place.

Brian Blankinship

[Ki Ayker]

I have used a Silva UN Marine for a number of years and am quite satisfied
with it. It comes with a mounting bracket which can be bolted onto the boat
with some modifications (it's designed to fit on a flat surface), after which
the compass can be easily plugged into it, or unplugged and stored. You can buy
additional mounting brackets at a very reasonable price if needed.
I seem to trade off between different boats so I purchased a quick mount
which according to the label says it is manufactured by Paddlers Supply
Company, Escondido, California (760) 739-8363. It is designed for the Silva
compass and quickly affixes to the deck with bunjie cords, so now I can easily
move the compass and mount from boat to boat.
All that said, these days more often then not I simply use a small hikers
compass which is tied to the cord on my paddling jacket and rests comfortably
on my sprayskirt. It's always with me so if I get caught in the fog it's not a
problem. I really don't think your average sea kayaker really needs the
sophistication of an expensive marine compass or even a GPS for what we
typically do. But I admit that I like a good gadget as much as the next guy :-)

Scott
So.Cal.

[Brian Nystrom]

Ki Ayker wrote:

The principle advantage of a deck mounted compass are:

1) You can easily take readings in any conditions without having to take
your hand(s) off the paddle.
2) You can verify your heading while underway with nothing more than a
downward glance.

These things become quite important when you're out in rough water and
limited visibility. Whe you need it most, a handheld compass is the
least useful.

--
Regards

Brian

[Ki Ayker]

>The principle advantage of a deck mounted compass are:
>
>1) You can easily take readings in any conditions without having to take
>your hand(s) off the paddle.
>2) You can verify your heading while underway with nothing more than a
>downward glance.

I don't have any problem doing these things with a hikers compass sitting on
my sprayskirt. I suppose in really big seas my hikers compass could get washed
aside to where I would have to pause and reposition it. I have never had this
happen, but it certainly could. I'm sure that if this was to become a problem I
could easily rig something to help keep it in place.
Navigating a kayak with a compass is anything but rocket science. Even when
using a well dampened marine compass the needle will be swaying from side to
side as you paddle. In rougher seas it gets even worst! The compass is only
useful for fairly approximate directions. Then you need to try to factor in
wind and currents. That is why most of your texts that deal with kayak
navigation will recommend that you steer to one side or the other of your
target when making a long crossing so you will at least know for certain which
way you need to turn to hit your mark when you reach land. Otherwise you might
not know if you missed your target to the left or to the right and you'd just
have to make your best guess.
I do admit, however, that a good marine compass looks really cool on the
boat.

Scott
So.Cal.

[Waterland]

> I do admit, however, that a good marine compass looks really cool on
the
> boat.

Just don't stow your radio right under the compass, like I did, the magnet
of the speaker will give false readings.

[Brian Nystrom]

Ki Ayker wrote:

The principle advantage of a deck mounted compass are:

1) You can easily take readings in any conditions without having to take 
your hand(s) off the paddle.
2) You can verify your heading while underway with nothing more than a 
downward glance.
    

   I don't have any problem doing these things with a hikers compass sitting on
my sprayskirt. I suppose in really big seas my hikers compass could get washed
aside to where I would have to pause and reposition it. I have never had this
happen, but it certainly could. I'm sure that if this was to become a problem I
could easily rig something to help keep it in place.

That still leaves you with the problem of having to look down at your lap to navigate. For many people, this can cause nausea or even full-blown sea sickness. Additionally, if you're looking at your lap, you're not looking at the water.

   Navigating a kayak with a compass is anything but rocket science. Even when
using a well dampened marine compass the needle will be swaying from side to
side as you paddle. In rougher seas it gets even worst!

Not nearly as much as you think. When you have a compass that's within your line of sight, it's quite easy to maintain a consistent heading, depite the inevitable swings.

The compass is only
useful for fairly approximate directions. Then you need to try to factor in
wind and currents. That is why most of your texts that deal with kayak
navigation will recommend that you steer to one side or the other of your
target when making a long crossing so you will at least know for certain which
way you need to turn to hit your mark when you reach land. Otherwise you might
not know if you missed your target to the left or to the right and you'd just
have to make your best guess.

Of course; that's simply Navigation 101. However, you still need to be able to check the compass frequently in order to maintain the desired heading, unless you have ranges you can use to check your course.

I do admit, however, that a good marine compass looks really cool on the
boat.
  

I won't even dignify that comment with a response.

-- 
Regards

Brian

[BeachBck9]

>>I do admit, however, that a good marine compass looks really cool on the
>>boat.

>I won't even dignify that comment with a response.

Uh, I think you just did :-)

[Jerry]

In article <20031110183027...@mb-m20.aol.com>,
beac...@aol.com says...

But that wasn't very dignified so I don't know if that counts or not.
jj