Compass required?

ssobol · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:13 am Post subject: Compass required?

I have a question....

Per the USCG recreational boat requirements, is it required to have a magnetic compass? With the proliferation of electronic heading display devices, is it really necessary to have a magnetic compass? On my boat I usually have at least 3 devices on board that have GPS receivers and COG displays. One of more of these might also have electronic compass components.

According to the Canadian boating regulations a magnetic compass is required for boats over 8m. A boat under 8m is not required to have a magnetic compass if it is operated "within sight of navigation marks".

I cannot find any mention of a required magnetic compass in the USCG recreational boating information on the web.

I just want to know if anyone knows if a magnetic compass is required equipment, I don't want to start along thread on whether having one or not is a good idea.

Thanks.

thataway · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:36 am Post subject:

No compass required in the USA. I sold a fluxgate compass to a Canadian who thought he could use it on his charter dive boat--not so, Canada requires a magnetic compass--fluxgate did not qualify. He used it on recreational boat, where it apparently meet the requirements.

hardee · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 4:11 am Post subject:

Agree with Bob, No magnetic or for that matter compass, requirement for US recreational vessels.

Canadian requirements are stricter than US.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Casey · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:18 am Post subject:

"Dessert 1st" had a nice compass already installed when I bought her, so I left it in place.

On the other hand, I bought "Naknek" new in 2003 and outfitted her to my spec's, which did not include a magnetic compass.

...but I kept my old Boy Scout 'silva (compass) handy in a drawer just in case. Some habits are hard to break. 😄

Best,
C&M

tsturm · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Compass required?

RobLL · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:58 am Post subject:

Even with a kayak it could be essential to know what direction the shoreline or hazardous areas are should a sudden fog bank move in.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:29 am Post subject:

So I would assume that if you are spending any time in Canadian waters that you would need a compass if you are over 8M which is 26.25 ft. So if you are a C-Dory you should be in compliance. Although I too would not want to depend only on electronics.

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Compass required?

[quote="ssobol"A boat under 8m is not required to have a magnetic compass if it is operated "within sight of navigation marks".[/quote]

That's a good one. How many times have I found myself socked-in in a matter of minutes. I was within sight of navigation markers just moments ago. Then, there was no requirement for a magnetic compass. Now, it's required. Without a magnetic compass, do I wait until the fog clears so that my boat is legal again in Canada?

There is no requirement that it be an expensive magnetic compass. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Car-Vehicle-Floating-Ball-Magnetic-Navigation-Compass-Black-/371217540547?hash=item566e4a25c3

Mark

ssobol · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:03 pm Post subject:

In Canada you are required to have a compass if you are out of sight of landmarks. However, you are not required to have charts. So if you are in the soup all you can do is hold a heading, but you might not be able to determine which heading is best. A compass will keep you from sailing in circles though.

If you have a compass, there is no guarantee that it is accurate. Even if it is not, it still might let you hold a constant course (whatever it may truly be). I doubt few if any recreational boat owners have a compass correction card for their compass.

My panel mounted Ritchie compass heading can be tens of degrees different from the GPS COG, even in calm conditions. I have far more confidence in the GPS information than what the compass says.

Blueback · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:34 pm Post subject:

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 3:11 pm Post subject:

"Be prepared -- that's the Boy Scouts marching song."

If an electronic system (or systems) can fail, someday they will.

We will be cruising north of the magnetic pole in a few weeks, so my old scout compass might have a problem. Smile

ghone · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject:

I have the compass directly in front of the helm, I'd feel funny without it. I always am checking it's reading to the gps heading
I for one need a good fixed mount compass aboard
El and Bill you'll be surprised at the dip up north, just where you really need a compass they don't work, they dip down and the card sticks
George

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 5:16 pm Post subject:

Wow - thanks George - that will sure make our old scout compass a marvelous entertainment. Your GPS was a joy, and got you through the arctic.

ssobol · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject:

Gene Stebbs. · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:10 pm Post subject:

I am probably considered old school as long as it has been since I did any serious boat traveling but I would want a magnetic compass that had been installed and swung by a professional......not even sure I would use a chart plotter, probably just pull out the paper charts, parralell rules, and dividers, the radar does help greatly in keeping tabs on any pendulum swing caused by tide or wind, "line up high/low points" in the geography worked well with good visability to track relative position. I actually enjoyed working with the charts.