tactical compass

upei1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011

Hi all! I visited the Sailing museum on Long Island recently. I saw this really cool compass on the deck of one of the flat bottom, shoal keel centerboard boats. I was wondering if any of you are familiar with it, and how you use it when you are sailing/ racing. I told on another post that you use it to find your best angle of attack to the markers, and that the bezels rotate (duh....),
but i was wondering if anyone had a experience using a compass like this. Or, can you point me to a link that explains how it used?
Thanks much!
Charlie

casey1999 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-29-2011

I have a modern version of a tatical compass that does not have all the bezels yours has. Had a post a week ago asking how it works. Response was you use it to tact and to figure out what your sailing heading is once you compelte the tact (to stay on the most upwind course). Looks like to me the one bezel is used to enter the minimum angel you can sail to windward (80-120 deg)- yours looks to be set around 65 deg.. Once you set this then you use the green lens part show you your maximum windward course you can sail. Also, when coming out of the tact, the green lens would tell you where to set your course so that you do not sail too far downwind and lose ground. Maybe if you have manufacturer you could search for a manual on line. I see where the green lens is marked starboard and port tact- so you use the appropriate one to set you compass course after coming through the tact. The better your boat goes to windward the closer the blue lens should be to each other (smaller angle). The better the boat- the closer to windward she will sail.

upei1 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

I wish this was my boat! Its an old great south bay racer. I believe the compass is a Suunto. I know they are still in business because I bought a lensatic one from them recently. Thanks for your info....I need to get out and crew some more this year!!!!! Maybe I'll send them the photo and they can tell me a model #, etc. Some of the older technology just knocks my socks off......

casey1999 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2011

These guys might be able to help:
Welcome to Andrews Compass Service | Suunto Marine Compass Adjustment, Repair and Sales

upei1 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-2011

Thanks for the lead/info...I will look them up pronto!
Charlie