Compass?

[Pete7]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.