In recent years, since the advent of global positioning systems (GPS), there has been a debate among boaters as to whether or not the compass (what was previously the sailor's greatest navigational tool) is still of any use or necessary to install on your boat. Among boating and boating safety instructors however, there is no debate. While a GPS may be quick, easy (relatively) and handy, a compass is still an indispensable tool, and should always be one of the first things you install on your boat.
Let us take a look at each system in turn. The compass, with a history nine centuries long, is one of the oldest navigation tools still in use today. The Marine compass came into play around the 1300's in Europe, and has since always been utilized for navigation on the seas. By reading the Earth's magnetic field, a compass can tell you, virtually without fail the direction of that magnetic field.
As the compass always points in the same direction (referred to as Magnetic North) regardless of where you are on the planet. It can always be used to find which direction to go in. This is regardless of what the weather may be, the condition of your boat or whether or not you have battery power available. Furthermore, due to its consistent direction finding capabilities, if used in conjunction with a sextant, it can also be used to find latitude, and in conjunction with a marine chronometer, the time. A traditional compass also has only three parts: a needle, a pin, and a compass rose, only one of which, the needle is moving. Beyond that, it requires no more internal or external components, and unless thrown off by a local magnetic field is always accurate.
A GPS on the other hand, has a plethora of moving parts, and consequently, as a result, a great deal of things that can be broken. Furthermore, a GPS unit utilizes an electric current to function, and as such, needs an external power source or battery of some kind to operate. The functional capabilities of a GPS unit can also depend on availability of a signal, which can be degraded or lost in bad weather. Furthermore, after punching in all the necessary way points, although the GPS can tell you the most direct way to go to get to a destination, that direct way may have everything from islands to sandbars in it's path, and as such, the ability to read a map and use a compass may still prove to be essential. Finally, if a compass is installed on your boat, there is no way that it can be forgotten on land, whereas a portable GPS units can.
Although GPS units are excellent navigational tools, and can make course plotting quicker, faster and easier, they have their downsides, namely the fact that they are much more fragile, susceptible to damage, and harder to repair should a problem arise. As such, a compass should always be kept onboard as well. Knowledge of maps and how to use them remains indispensable.
If searching for other useful or indispensable fishing or sailing tools, websites such as Rodholderdepot.com which specializes in rod holders, marine compasses and other marine hardware and accessories is an excellent resource.Let us take a look at each system in turn. The compass, with a history nine centuries long, is one of the oldest navigation tools still in use today. The Marine compass came into play around the 1300's in Europe, and has since always been utilized for navigation on the seas. By reading the Earth's magnetic field, a compass can tell you, virtually without fail the direction of that magnetic field.
As the compass always points in the same direction (referred to as Magnetic North) regardless of where you are on the planet. It can always be used to find which direction to go in. This is regardless of what the weather may be, the condition of your boat or whether or not you have battery power available. Furthermore, due to its consistent direction finding capabilities, if used in conjunction with a sextant, it can also be used to find latitude, and in conjunction with a marine chronometer, the time. A traditional compass also has only three parts: a needle, a pin, and a compass rose, only one of which, the needle is moving. Beyond that, it requires no more internal or external components, and unless thrown off by a local magnetic field is always accurate.
A GPS on the other hand, has a plethora of moving parts, and consequently, as a result, a great deal of things that can be broken. Furthermore, a GPS unit utilizes an electric current to function, and as such, needs an external power source or battery of some kind to operate. The functional capabilities of a GPS unit can also depend on availability of a signal, which can be degraded or lost in bad weather. Furthermore, after punching in all the necessary way points, although the GPS can tell you the most direct way to go to get to a destination, that direct way may have everything from islands to sandbars in it's path, and as such, the ability to read a map and use a compass may still prove to be essential. Finally, if a compass is installed on your boat, there is no way that it can be forgotten on land, whereas a portable GPS units can.
Although GPS units are excellent navigational tools, and can make course plotting quicker, faster and easier, they have their downsides, namely the fact that they are much more fragile, susceptible to damage, and harder to repair should a problem arise. As such, a compass should always be kept onboard as well. Knowledge of maps and how to use them remains indispensable.
In the end it is recommended to have both a compass and a GPS. The compass can be relied on in tough situations and requires no power but the GPS can provide much more than just direction of travel. It can guide you through a maze of islands, help you avoid sandbars or hidden obstacles and tell you where the nearest port or fuel station is located. This sailor recommends both.
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