: Eric,

: Another possibility: they sell smaller compasses for car instrument panels!
: I found one that's 2" large and has a 4 cm base. Haven't tried it at sea
: yet.
: Basic quality.
: It could also be mounted vertically inside the coaming lip to protect it from
: oncoming waves.

Many of the cheap compasses will stick at large angles of heel and aren't well suited for the marine environment. How often is your car heeled over past 45 degrees?

Regarding mounting the compass inside the coaming, if there is any wave action at all, you'll need your skirt fastened which means you won't have the benefit of your compass when you need it the most. You might find a steering compass to be more comfortable if it is placed well ahead of you, in your line of sight, rather than having to constantly look down in your lap.

Greg Stamer