compass.

[kerny]

Hi all, what is the best type of compass to fit on a rib and would it be best fitted on the consul. I thought that I had got everything needed to get started then suddenly remembered about an important piece of kit COMPASS...just wondered if the stainless steel grab rail would interfere with it. p.s. not too expensive as it's cost me a fortune already l.o.l.

Many thanks,

kerny.

[Mollers]

I'd go for a Plastimo Offshore which is purpose made for powercraft.

[willk]

Mollers gives good compass advice.

The handrail question is an interesting one. Stainless generally has low magnetic properties, but these can be increased by bending and welding. So maybe yours is. You can test it with a compass!

I'm seeing more and more small compasses fixed directly to perspex windshields - not sure is this applies to your rig.

[kerny]

Thanks Mollers, just googled it and some are comming up at a reasonable price £49.99.

Many thanks,

Steve.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by willk

Mollers gives good compass advice.

The handrail question is an interesting one. Stainless generally has low magnetic properties, but these can be increased by bending and welding. So maybe yours is. You can test it with a compass!

I'm seeing more and more small compasses fixed directly to perspex windshields - not sure is this applies to your rig.

Hi willks, I have not tried it yet it was just a thought, but fitting it on the perspex shield sounds a good solution and maybe this can be done using a suction cup like on a car sat nav,

Cheers,

kerny.

[willk]

Originally Posted by kerny

maybe this can be done using a suction cup like on a car sat nav,

'fraid not - it's strictly a powertool job - zoom zoom!

[kerny]

Ahh well it never is that easy is it, power tools it is then...l.o.l.

[Puffin]

Asked the same question myself a while back, got some useful answers.

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...hlight=compass

Having said that, I'm still not fully decided on which to get, Plastimo Offshore 95 at Marine Store looks a good buy and is the favourite at present.

http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/m...tore_Code=mrst

[Lets go boating]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I'd go for a Plastimo Offshore which is purpose made for powercraft.

plastimo are great

[kerny]

Thanks for the link to the posts puffin, and it looks as though if you keep it away from speakers on the vhf it should be accurate, I will be using my handheld so there shouldn't be a problem with the compass fitted on the wind shield. I will be looking for a plastimo offshore. Thanks everyone for your sound advice which is invaluable for us newbies.

[wavelength]

whatever the make you need a powerboat compass which is more heavily damped than a sailboat jobee. However some still have the tendency to spin no matter what it says on the pack when you rattle across waves, I would imagine that fitting to a screen, instead of a more solid surface, is likely to induce a spinning compass.

[Lets go boating]

just thinking about it, a friend has a danfort (danforth) not sure on spelling, and they are pretty good, so just check them too aswell as plastimo

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by wavelength

whatever the make you need a powerboat compass which is more heavily damped than a sailboat jobee. However some still have the tendency to spin no matter what it says on the pack when you rattle across waves,

Do they? Wouldn't know, I never look at the thing. I've got a GPS jobee.

[wavelength]

Do they? Wouldn't know, I never look at the thing. I've got a GPS jobee

some of us were doing long hauls on powerboats with a watch and compass years ago, then decca (which invariably lost the plot in the fog and left ya with the compass again), then gps and finally gps plotters. Others havent had the delight of wondering where the land is after a few hours on a compass course. We talk about it all the time in m'old folks home where the kids have put me!!
Those who come on courses here steer to a compass as well as a plotter on level2, on advanced and advanced exams they do longer passages in the dark on the compass. Its all part of seamanship. Having said that I will be out on the commercial boat next week again with the heaters on and relying on the plotter, radar etc etc

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by wavelength

some of us were doing long hauls on powerboats with a watch and compass years ago, then decca (which invariably lost the plot in the fog and left ya with the compass again), then gps and finally gps plotters. Others havent had the delight of wondering where the land is after a few hours on a compass course. We talk about it all the time in m'old folks home where the kids have put me!!
Those who come on courses here steer to a compass as well as a plotter on level2, on advanced and advanced exams they do longer passages in the dark on the compass. Its all part of seamanship. Having said that I will be out on the commercial boat next week again with the heaters on and relying on the plotter, radar etc etc

Sorry, I was being facetious.
My 'peasoup' experience is detailed on this site somewhere.

[wavelength]

be careful cos now that age concern and t'other lot have merged - I'll have an even bigger pool of muscle with zimmers to send round ta see ya.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by wavelength

some of us were doing long hauls on powerboats with a watch and compass years ago,

A watch? There's posh.

[kerny]

Well chaps , it looks like fitting one for cosmetic purpose, and carry a cheap orienteering compass in my dry suit pocket, to use for accuracy, or get a GPS l.o.l.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

A watch? There's posh.

He's only kidding. He meant a peg board.