Compass placement (newbie)

[Idiens]

Originally Posted by dennisvetter

... have you seen something that worked particularly well in this situation?

I have a second steering compass, from Platimo, that is mounted via a yoke. The yoke can be mounted at any elevation angle and has a quick-release. So it would be suitable for mounting on the sliding hatch top. However, the starboard side may be very adequate, I've seen a lot of similar boats with them there. There is even version of the Plastimo compass that can be read from both inside and outside the boat, when mounted in that position.

[JarrettF]

On my Redwing 30 the compass is on the starboard side, and was already there when I got the boat. I have a knot meter and a depth meter on the port side and I think the compass, up high on the starboard side bulkhead, creates a nice visual balance of meters/aids/gadgets...

http://thekinalty.com/rw/13may06/7329.jpg

[jimmd]

i guess this should go under a "this might be a stupid question but". i am familiar with the use of a compass on land and also under the water on scuba. now for the stupid question - what are the two lines parallel to the lubber line (center mark) of the compass for?
feel free to blast me but please answer the question when done.
thanks

[Giulietta]

Jim,

These lines you see on each side of the center line, are normally seen on tactical compasses and what they do is they simply give you an automatic heading for your next tack in a regular race circuit. Meaning you only have to memorise one heading. They are normally set a 45º from the center lubber line, so your next tack will be indicated by the side lubber line!!! Smart huh??

Some compasses, the more advanced ones allow you to change the position of these lubber lines so that you can adjust the compass to your boat's tack angles, wind shifts, deviations to boueys etc. So some of them you can adjust from 25 to 50º lines, to adjust for wind shifts.

Their position sideways also allow you to read the heading if you are sailing a dinghy, where you are on a trapeze and not inside the boat, the side lubber line will be your reference.

Or in tiller boats, with compasses mounted on bulkheads, since you seat sideways, its easier to see a line that is offset as the tileer man is.

Hope this helped your question.

I have adjustable lubber lines on my compasses. And normally I have them set at 45º.

(And this concludes our broadcast, signing off)

[jimmd]

thanks alot for the info. amazing how simple things can be one explained.

[7tiger7]

On my Catalina 27, the compas is built into a "box" that is open on the back side, and it fits over a square wood block that is mounted on the outside of the bulkhead, then one long machine screw goes through the bulkhead from the inside of the boat out to a nut epoxied into the back of the compass box.
Sounds confusing. I know. But very simple, I'll send you a pic if you want...

[cjmcfall]

I have my compass on the starboard side. Don't have it interfere with the "back rest".

When lounging in the cockpit, i like to have by back on the bulkhead. I would put it high enough so our back does not hit it when you sit there. I did not install mine, but it is in the way and I can't rest my back on the starboard side.