Compass location on A25

[nebulatech]

Hi All!

My boat came with two compasses; a frosty white one and a new one that was never installed. Both are intended for the convenient hole in the dash right over the electronics panel. I'm sure most of my cruising will be in marked waterways, but for those times when I'm in "big water," I'm wondering if the designed location for the compass is in the most optimal location. As a sailor, I'm used to the compass in a binnacle right in front of the wheel where I can look down on it. The compass location on my boat doesn't feel right to me, but I don't have a seat installed yet. I appreciate that Brohäll designed this boat well, and that's where he chose to put the compass. Before I go about re-engineering the compass location, would some of you kindly lend your experience, advice and suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

[NickScheuer]

Our boat came to us with a front-reading compass located directly ahead of the wheel on the flat area adjacent to the windshield. When I installed our new Garmin chart plotter/depth finder there last season I relocated the compass to the sloped area left of the instrument panel. Made a wedge-shaped Mahogany base to level it.

[LopezMike]

I suspect that if you make sure any wiring near the compass is either twisted pair or at least the two conductors are together, you've have no magnetic problems. The engine is quite far away.

I've had more problems with transient storage. Nothing with iron or a magnet can be placed or stowed nearby. I've had two bad experiences with this. One was a portable radio and the other was some metal coat hangers. All plastic now!

[DesertAlbin736]

Here's our dash arrangement: L-R, octopus stuffed toy, compass, Weems & Plath barometer, Standard Horizon VHF/GPS/AIS, Garmin 741xs combo chartplotter. Location, Toba Inlet, Desolation Sound, BC July 9,2018.

DSCN4339 (1280x960).jpg

[dkirsop]

Keep the compass aligned with the helm, that is where it belongs. Any other location is a compromise. If you find yourself navigating by compass in poor visibility you will appreciate it being there. The GPS and Radar screens can be accurately read from an angle but the original offset location for the compass was a poor compromise in design of the helm station. Here is a picture of my helm layout.

Helm.jpeg

While GPS has continuously improved through the years I still occasionally encounter a glitch. The compass works 24/7 without power, a truly remarkable navigational tool.

[tribologist]

The only use i have for the compass is to check the gps/compass.. the iphone does that as well..

[DesertAlbin736]

Keep the compass aligned with the helm, that is where it belongs.

I like the chartplotter in front of the helm so it's in easy reach to use the touch screen function to set waypoints, switch views between chart & depthsounder, zoom in & out, etc. I suppose if needed one can consider & compensate for the difference between looking at the compass head on & from an angle, or just lean over a bit for a direct view.The idea was to have the VHF & Chartplotter close enough to each other have the mic close at hand & to connect the two via NMEA so AIS targets show up on the chartplotter & keep the compass far enough away from being affected. One of the genius features of the A25 is having that flat surface there to keep a paper chart at your fingertips. The compass & paper charts are really backups to the electronics but both are important. Or is it the other way around?

[ssrig]

No compass on mine! At least it didn't come with one, I do have a good handheld on board and a digital hand held along with my phone but so far in two years I have not looked at a compass yet!
With chart plotters and programs like Navionics navigation is not as onnerus as the old days, tell no one but I dont even have paper maps on board!

[tribologist]

I have a paper map of Long island sound.. Captain seagulls fishing map. Awesome flyswatter. Pence could use one..

[markdbecker]

I'm used to the compass right in front of the wheel where I can look down on it.

[tribologist]

Here's our dash arrangement: L-R, octopus stuffed toy, compass, Weems & Plath barometer, Standard Horizon VHF/GPS/AIS, Garmin 741xs combo chartplotter. Location, Toba Inlet, Desolation Sound, BC July 9,2018.


DSCN4339 (1280x960).jpg

I love the marine design placemats!