rdsrb5

What's a good, fairly inexpensive flush mount compass.

Compass will go where the Garmin is currently located.

Mud Runner

I would reconsider mounting the compass over the radio because of the magnet in the radio speaker.

lciummo

Compass would definately be too close if mounted where the Garmin is!

I mounted a VHF about a foot away from a bulkhead mount compass and the compass never moved. Unfortunately, I cut a hole in the panel for the compass before testing out the location so I was stuck. The solution was to pull the radio and remove the speaker magnets - I then sealed up the radio again and mounted an external speaker about 30" away from the compass. It's not perfect, but it moves around enought that the deviations could be corrected by adjusting the compass.

I'm not sure I'd even put a compass in a boat with a GPS and a backup (handheld) GPS. I never really use the compass, and it tought to read in a chop. Maybe going offshore a long distance, it makes a good safety addition, but I could certainly live without it with the GPS.

Good luck,
lc

rdsrb5

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention I plan to move the VHF Radio and flush mount it below and to the port side of the wheel.

150Sport

I used a Ritchie F50 flush-mount. It's held up well so far.

ave8er

You are kidding, right? The compass is the primary navigation tool and is also the least likely to fail. I would not venture off shore without a compass. The gps is not a substitute for a compass

NFZ

I have to agree with Ave8tr on that one. I would go offshore without a gps but, never even think about it without a compass. It is a better idea to have a fixed mount compass and a pocket compass to check it by.

150Sport

Besides the one in the console and a handheld in the ditch box, I like having a good pair of binoculars with a built-in compass. The first mate can easily give me headings to things I can't even see yet. Yeah, so can the GPS, but we both feel better knowing how to get along without it.

bobozinga

I agree that a good compass is the #1 navagation instrument of all...

However, on this boat, it seems the helm is offset to starboard. Placing a compass directly above the helm (wheel) may produce some distortions, as noted above.

While I'm prejudiced toward centered-helm boats, I think the compass should be placed dead-center on the boat, near where there's apparently a black stanchion. At least you'd get an accurate heading, with the darn thing centered on the boat....just my two bits.

150Sport

As long as the lubber line is parallel to the keel, and the observer is directly behind the compass, there is no error from not having the compass on the boat's centerline.