Your sailing compass has few equals when it comes to reliability. Lose all electronics
aboard your boat, and your compass could get you and your sailing crew or partner home safe and sound. But there is one simple factor often ignored–it’s almost too easy to overlook. Forget this and your compass could be damaged. Not deviation–or the influence of metals. Not even close! Read on to discover how to fight this enemy in just under two seconds–with total success!
Use It or Lose It – Practice Yields Familiarity
Like most of navigation, the more you use your magnetic compass, the easier it will be when you need it most. Even if your GPS or plotter are working fine, practice these simple easy-to-do functions when possible:
- Steer an accurate sailing course.
- Compare a charted or natural range to determine compass error.
- Take bearings to verify your electronic navigation.
- Check the compass against a charted channel direction.
- Run a measured mile under power to make a speed vs. RPM table.
- Practice navigation with just compass and dead reckoning.
- Take drift bearings to ships to establish risk of collision.
- Track squalls or other weather threats that surround you.
But…
Deviation comes in a poor seconds to one giant of the universe–the sun. Nothing will shorten the life of a compass like this big celestial star. And in particular direct sunlight.
Binnacle compasses are more vulnerable because they are exposed in their bowls just in front of the wheel. Keep the binnacle hood down at all times when not in use. This includes when on autopilot in daylight hours. Open the hood just to steer the boat or check the course or your navigation.
No binnacle hood? No problem! If you have no binnacle hood or if you use a bulkhead mounted magnetic sailing compass, cover it with light-leak-proof material like Sunbrella or one of the fabrics used on sail covers or canvas. Even an old hat will do in a pinch. Cover the compass bowl, lash the cover in place with some bungee cord and you’re done! Fast and effective. What could be easier?
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Use these easy sailing tips to protect your trusty sailing compass from the ravages of direct sunlight. Save money and replacement costs too–wherever in the world you choose to go sailing or cruising!
Courtesy of www.skippertips.com
Highly recommended; David Burch; “Emergency Navigation”. Starpath Navigation; Seattle
How does the sun hurt the compass? Is it by heating the magnet(s)?
I first started sailing “Someday” when high tech instruments were a “flasher” and RDF.
I am used to sailing the Pacific coast from Canada to Columbia, using the magnetic compass as my primary couse keeper. Barb, my crew, started commercial fishing in the early 60s, and uses the compass continually underweigh. We are both appalled at the number of new, expensive boats which have a magnetic compass, somewhere, buried underneath all sorts of electronics at the binnacle.There is no way it is showing an even approximate correct course. Since it is frequently totally visually obscured, it must not be used in any event.
In my years of cruising, I have completely lost power on 3 occasions; thank God for the trusty old compass, which makes it an inconvenience not a disaster to lose power.
Learning to sail a magnetic compass takes a little practice, not a lot, but if you want a fairly straight course in a sea, you will start to intuitively correct as each wave passes, and stay on course. If the first time you are using a compass is in a confused sea, your going to have a lot of difficulty.
Sailing a compass is a necessary skill for the serious cruiser, and will give you more confidence as you sea the world.
Direct sunlight can cause seals to dry out and the glass dome could craze and eventually leak compass fluid. In addition, the compass card could become faded and discolored, making reading the desired course or bearing quite difficult.
Every barrier between the Sun and the compass prolongs the life of the compass and increases the interval at which service is needed. The fluid discoloration comes from contamination. The fluid is a petroleum solvent and if contaminated will grow the same fugus as diesel fuel. Some manufacturers were better than others in caring for fluid at the factory. The crazing cracks may also join together, producing a leak. Fluid out and air with moisture in will contaminate and also the moisture will allow corrosion of the metal pivot causing the compass to stick.
Good info, Bill. Thanks for including the essential point about the pivot. Capt. Chetco, great input and right on the mark. One spark could throw you back to pre-GPS days.