Compass?

Chopppywaters · 16 October 2005, 15:19

Is a compass a "necessity" I didnt get one put into my boat because i have no real use for it...and im not the best at using it heh. whats the point if you dont have a map or charts or anything?

Hugh Jardon · 16 October 2005, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

Is a compass a "necessity" I didnt get one put into my boat because i have no real use for it...and im not the best at using it heh. whats the point if you dont have a map or charts or anything?

you called me a dumbass and a asshole or something similar when i responded to one of your other "interesting" questions you put as a thread on here.

i cant wait to see the responses you get to this latest question of yours....

fantastic keep it up you are one in a million!

PeterR · 16 October 2005, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

Is a compass a "necessity" I didnt get one put into my boat because i have no real use for it...and im not the best at using it heh. whats the point if you dont have a map or charts or anything?

I,m sorry to say you have rather opened yourself up for riddicule that is if anyone replies

Chopppywaters · 16 October 2005, 16:43

lol #1 i dont care what anyone on these forums think of me i just want advice

#2 your still a dumbass and an asshole

Hugh Jardon · 16 October 2005, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

lol #1 i dont care what anyone on these forums think of me i just want advice

#2 your still a dumbass and an asshole

thanks and i will take that as a compliment coming from you!!

let me take a stab at answering your question for you

if you cant use a compass, but intend to learn then i would suggest getting one

if you are never going to learn how to use it or get any maps or charts etc then indeed why buy one unless you believe it will make your rib prettier

as a suggestion, keep these questions that you post and the answers you get, keep them in a safe place for a few years and when you are older and slightly more mature take them out and review them and see what you think.

good luck with your boating

is your name Richard Cranium by the way?

slimtim · 16 October 2005, 17:24

Would be essential and pretty reliable if you get stuck out in thick fog. For example, If I was in the channel, just south of the isle of wight and the fog closed in all I would need to do would be to look at me compass (which won't run out of batteries like a plotter will) and head north ish.

Without a compass, in thick fog you can get very very disorientated very quickly and that could get nasty. I would get one...why not?

Tim

Chopppywaters · 16 October 2005, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimtim

Would be essential and pretty reliable if you get stuck out in thick fog. For example, If I was in the channel, just south of the isle of wight and the fog closed in all I would need to do would be to look at me compass (which won't run out of batteries like a plotter will) and head north ish.

Without a compass, in thick fog you can get very very disorientated very quickly and that could get nasty. I would get one...why not?

Tim

see stuff like that is useful

Thanks

Rogue Wave · 16 October 2005, 23:45

Firstly if you cant read a chart get some training so you can,. don't the Coatguards in th estates do something?

Your choice is between a fixed or handheld compass, I used a handheld for quite a long time and in fact still do! Although my botes do have fixed compass fitted! Don't get fooled into thinking you can use the compass facility of a GPS cos it tells you were you have been not were you are going!

If you go for fixed then mount it on your console as far away as possible from any electronics or cables as they generate an electromagnetic field (EM)which affects you bearing. (thats why I check with th Handheld)

If you have loads of money and like Gadgets then you can get a Fluxgate device which loses the problem with (EM) field

Good makes to get would be Plastimo or Ritchie but make sure you check the model out on the Website to ensure it is waterproof and hopefully shockproof

Chopppywaters · 16 October 2005, 23:56

handheld ones seem good enough for the maybe 1 time i use it

ollyit · 17 October 2005, 08:26

I was caught out in the solent on the portsmouth side in fog with out onw, very unnerving, get one and look at it as a safety device almost - I was lucky

Pete7 · 17 October 2005, 08:35

Those big plastimo compasses have my vote, 100 or 135 series. Surprisingly stable even on a small powerboat and don't seem to affected by electronics. Cheaper in the USA than the United States of Europe and look good to. As Slimtim says they don't need batteries and are very comforting when your in thick fog like Oli. Very easy to become disoriented in thick fog and useful to check the GPS against.

For handheld, consider the flat plastic orienteering compasses, £10 over here and work to a depth of 50m regularly. I carry one underwater.

Pete

Rogue Wave · 17 October 2005, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

handheld ones seem good enough for the maybe 1 time i use it

thats not a problem but it's not much use without a chart or route plan

roycruse · 17 October 2005, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

that's not a problem but it's not much use without a chart or route plan

That depends on how far off shore you are venturing.

If you are doing coastal runs in an area you know well - a compass is still essential even with no charts - I have been caught in the dreaded Fog twice - I had no charts but without the compass, once you have lost sight of the land - that is it - FU**ED - your only chance if you have no compass is to stop the boat and hope to god you know which way the wind is blowing to get a rough direction from.

Lack of any visual reference will mean you have ZERO sense of direction - its even impossible to tell if you are driving in a straight line.

Any compass will do - and it doesn't need to be mounted to the boat - so unless the area you boat in has never ever been foggy (i assume there are places in the world where fog is impossible due to climate) never venture even a few hundred yards away from land because fog can reduce visibility down to an alarmingly short distance.

roycruse · 17 October 2005, 11:31

Sorry Rogue - i just read my own post and it sounded like i was aiming what i said at you - im sure your 10 X more experienced than me.

I was only disagreeing with the bit about a compass being no use without a chart.

The rest of the post was a plea to Choppy not to go out without at least some way of getting a direction if the visability should go.

John Kennett · 17 October 2005, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

lol #1 i dont care what anyone on these forums think of me i just want advice

#2 your still a dumbass and an asshole

If you carry on like this you won't find out what people think of you, because you won't be able to post any questions!

Please keep it civil.

Thank you
John

Rodan · 17 October 2005, 12:37

It may be worth investing in lightweight waterproofs as the sea can be wet. Also, be careful with the compass - put a cork on the needle to avoid puncturing the tubes again.