Binnacle
Before the days of GPS, compasses were the primary instruments used for navigation, but they still are an essential part of any expedition, whether or not you are planning to travel on the water or on land. Remember that most GPS systems do not provide you with direction unless you are moving, but a compass will always show you the way to go, even when the power is out. Early marine navigators often hid compasses from the rest of the crew, in part due to fear of them being thrown overboard since there is a magical, mystical element in a compass that is hard to explain, even though we now take the motion of a compass card for granted. A properly mounted compass will always come to rest with its needle pointed at magnetic north, which is still an invaluable navigational aid when it is dark or when you are stuck in the fog.
There is a slight amount of deviation from true north, because a compass will normally point at the earth's magnetic north, but this deviation is easily taken into account and is usually marked on a navigation chart. It is important to understand that iron objects in close proximity to any compass will interfere with its operation, which is the reason that some older binnacles have two iron "globes" that are used to compensate (balance) a compass once it is mounted in place on board a ship. It is also important to understand that nearby electrical wiring can create magnetic fields that can interfere with the accurate operation of a compass.
Many of today's compasses come with compensation magnets built-in so they can be compensated by following simple directions from the manufacturer. However, "zone balancing" may be required if you are planning an extended voyage into the southern latitudes (all of our compasses are "zone balanced" for the northern hemisphere). Please contact us if you are planning to cruise in the southern hemisphere so we can advise you on the available options.
Marine compasses are filled with a fluid that dampens the movement of the card, so if you notice an air bubble (especially in the morning when the compass is cool), there is a small leak that should be fixed by an expert even if the bubble goes away when the compass is warm.
Remember to protect your compass from direct sunlight when it is not being used. Once installed and compensated, a compass should be re-checked any time a new piece of iron or steel is installed near it, or when nearby electrical wiring changes are made. Also, if you notice that your compass becomes sluggish or erratic, you should have it checked. This could be the result of new, nearby changes in the environment of the compass, or it could be that the pivot is wearing out and the compass needs to be serviced (or replaced).
In any event, we offer a full line of marine compasses, so whether you need an inexpensive compass for an occasional kayak trip or a more expensive model for deep ocean sailing, you can find it here at our everyday low prices. And, if you do not see it listed here, please contact us so we can order it for you.
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