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Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board
Re: Compass Question
Posted By: Leroy Lakowski In Response To: Re: Compass Question (Mike Scarborough)
Date: Thursday, 18 November 1999, at 8:24 p.m.
> I don't know much about big boat compasses, but I believe that one of the
> features of a kayak compass is that it is designed to be read from the
> rear.After reading through the thread on compasses, I perceive some confusion. Compasses point to magnetic north, not true north. Consider:
True North plus or minus variation [caused by distance from the Agonic line, your chart will tell you what this value should be add west variation, subtract east] equals Magnetic North Plus or minus deviation [this is in your kayak caused by metalic objects, batteries, radios, etc.] equals Compass {This is what your compass should read]
Fun way to remember--Tired virgins make dull company, add whisky.
As to mounting the compass, a PVC pipe cap with a bit of bongie cord attached with the bottom cut to match the deck curve will make a good compass mount. Attach the compass to the yak and sit it on level ground. Orient to north by useing another compass, a hikers compass will do. Then check it facing south and adjust if neccessary, then do the same for east and west. If everything checks it should then be good on all headings, just keep anything that will interfere away from it like under the rear hatch. Then you can forget deviation.
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