Where Should A Boat Compass Be Mounted?

Owning a boat is really one of the greatest blessings in the world.

Your boat will give you the ability to travel the world in a completely unique way. In fact, most people have never been on a boat.

Just remember that you could easily get lost. To prevent that from happening, you need to equip yourself with a good compass.

After that, you’ll need to find the best place to install it. So, where should a boat compass be mounted? What compass should you buy? These questions will be answered in the guide below.

What Is A Compass?

In this day and age, a lot of people never use a compass. In the past, compasses were very important. People used them to get from one location to the next. That is the entire purpose of the compass. It can help you determine your current direction so you can easily get to your destination. The compass is an instrument that is magnetized. The magnetization ensures that the compass always points towards magnetic north.

When you have a compass, you will always know which way is north. You can use this to steer your boat in the right direction and avoid getting lost on your trip.

Overall, a compass is an essential boat accessory.

Where Should A Boat Compass Be Mounted?

Failing to mount the boat compass in the right location could cause big problems for you in the future. You’ll want to make sure that the compass is going to provide an accurate reading. At the same time, you need to ensure that the compass is going to remain in your line of sight. This will ensure that you’re able to see the compass even when you’re behind the wheel. So, where is the best place to put it? In general, it is a good idea to place the compass in front of the helmsman. To guarantee maximum accuracy, you need to place the compass away from magnets and electric wiring.

Keep it a good distance from iron components as well. After all, all of these things could result in the compass giving a false reading. Just keep it away from magnets and electrical wiring. Do this and you can guarantee that your compass will always point north.

How To Install And Set Up A Boat Compass

Before doing anything, you should go ahead and remove the boat from the water. Once you’ve done that, you should experiment with the location of the compass a little bit. Place it on the dash in various areas. Make sure that you choose a location that does not cause the compass to change directions. Simultaneously, it is wise to choose a location that you’re going to be able to see easily. Be sure that all possible sources of interference are removed.

Use the mounting hardware to install the boat compass. You shouldn’t need anything more than a basic screwdriver for this step. After you’ve done that, you should put the compass through a trial phase. Take the boat out onto the water and keep an eye on the compass’s reading. Make sure that everything is set correctly. If everything is right, your compass should guide you to your destination without any major hiccups.

Ritchie Navigation Explorer Compass

There are plenty of great compasses out there. Still, it is really tough to beat the Ritchie Navigation Explorer. This compass is sleek, durable and surprisingly affordable. One of its best features is the 5-year warranty. Thanks to the bracket mounted design, you can guarantee that this compass can be installed almost anywhere. It can be mounted on pretty much any deck or dash. Plus, the design ensures that the optimum viewing angle will be maintained at all times.

With the 12v green light, you can rest assured knowing that this compass will work day and night. For the low price, it is impossible to lose with this compass.

Ritchie Navigation Voyager Compass

The Ritchie Navigation Voyager Compass is a good investment for boaters who want a cleaner finish. The flush mount means that the compass will actually sit flush with the surface. This makes it somewhat tougher to mount, but it ensures a steadier mount as well. Again, this compass is protected by a 5-year warranty. It also features a 12v green light for nighttime use. With the CombiDial, you’re going to be able to take advantage of the direct and flat card features with a single compass.

If you don’t mind working a little harder and want a cleaner look, the Ritchie Navigation Voyager Compass is definitely the way to go.

Summary

At the end of the day, every boat on the planet needs a good compass. Without one, there is a good chance that the occupants are going to end up on a nightmarish journey to the middle of nowhere. Thankfully, there are plenty of good compasses out there. Just remember to do your research and make sure your compass is installed correctly. This will reduce the likelihood that you get lost on your next boating adventure.