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#518 - 05/03/07 01:35 PM Sea Kayak Compass
stormy Offline
Forum Participant

Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 85
I have only had one of these and its now out of shape.
What is everyone else using now?

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#519 - 05/11/07 08:36 PM Re: Sea Kayak Compass [Re: stormy]
NordkappMan Offline
Forum Participant

Registered: 04/21/06
Posts: 53
Loc: Victoria BC Canada
Are you talking about a hand-held or deck mounter compass? I'm looking for a new one too for my Nordkapp rebuild. I like the look of the Ritchie slopemounted unit. I'm trying to design a pop-up design so it stays low-profile when not in use.

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#520 - 05/12/07 08:29 AM Re: Sea Kayak Compass [Re: NordkappMan]
StrangeMagic Offline
Forum Participant

Registered: 04/29/07
Posts: 11
Loc: New Jersey
I've got a small Ritchie on one kayak, a dozen years old, and an Aqua Meter Sailor II on the other that's 23 years old, and they both work just fine. The key, though, is to adjust the compasses so that they read as accurately as possible. I carefully laid out a magnetic north-south line on my driveway with a good Silva orienteering compass; then, with each kayak on a cart so I could move them easily about, I went through the adjustment drill that's outlined on any compass's instruction sheet to ensure that the readings were as precise as possible at all orientations of the kayak. So far, neither of the compasses have let me down, nor do they show any signs of wearing out.

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#521 - 05/14/07 02:32 PM Re: Sea Kayak Compass [Re: StrangeMagic]
stormy Offline
Forum Participant

Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 85
I always carry both but the deck mounted is what I need.
I've not heard of these but will have a good look.

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#522 - 05/15/07 10:23 AM Re: Sea Kayak Compass [Re: stormy]
mikekayak Offline

Forum Participant

Registered: 03/06/06
Posts: 327
Loc: Seattle, WA
I've got a Richie deck mounted compass that is designed for smaller sailboats. In addition to the compass the top of the compass dome and hemispere shaped card are marked to give a bullseye level that comes in handy checking the trim of my boat, before getting in, when loaded with touring gear.

In addition to the deck compass I sometimes take my hockey puck style hand bearing compass. This comes in handy if you want to set danger bearings before paddling in an area that you lack local knowledge.


Edited by mikekayak (05/15/07 10:27 AM)
_________________________
Michael Collins
Sea Kayaker Magazine
michael@seakayakermag.com

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#653 - 09/13/07 07:08 AM Re: Sea Kayak Compass [Re: mikekayak]
stormy Offline
Forum Participant

Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 85
Thanks again Mike!

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