It also can help fix position, calculate speed and drift and determine bearings, using coastal references. In an emergency, the safety of those aboard may well depend on the vessel s compass and the skipper s ability to use it. With such variety, there are models for all types of boats and boaters, from racing sailors to power cruisers. Ritchie Navigator Compass E.S. Ritchie has added some features to an old favorite. The changes to the upgraded Navigator compass are intended to make steering and piloting easier.
Green lighting picks out the large-sized numbers and degree marks during nighttime use.
The Navigator s double-dish design and low center of gravity are useful in rough seas, and the internal gimbals and steel pivot system feature a sapphire jewel. The compass uses internal magnets to get a quick heading lock-on. Other features include 45-degree lubber lines and a sun shield. Unified Marine SeaSense Unified Marine in Naples, Fla., touts its SeaSense compass as an affordable choice for use in tight corners and on smaller boats. The SeaSense uses a 3-inch card with white numbers on a blue background.