I purchased a plastimo 135 compass off gumtree i was wondering if stainless steel screws used to fix the top compass to the binical will effect the readings or do I need to use nylon screws?

That reminds me why God gave gave us aluminium beer cans, so we could put then in drink holders at the helm!!! Nearly as important as when he inspired the guys who developed the chronometer for navigation

I see these iPad mounted at the helm and wonder what they do to compass accurate. I know that if I rest my iPad on the deck above where the fluxgate compass for the auto pilot is, we go way off course.

But there are some on the water who don't believe they need a compass or log if they have their iPad on hand. Might as well get rid of the dept sounder as well.

What depth sounder not this year any way

Hi troph
How/ who do you get it swung by?

Ramona said...

twodogs1969 said..
Hi troph
How/ who do you get it swung by?

A compass swing for survey costs about $500 upwards, depending where you live. You don't need it. Bronze or SS screws will do.


There are ads in the back of the "Afloat" magazine if you want to proceed with a swing.

Is it really that much!!!!!!!
Twodogs, very basically, they apply magnets (or magnetic material) at points around the compass to bring it back into alignment the best they can. Then you would usually be given an updated deviation card.

You would fairly accurately be able to check the deviation yourself with a hand held compass, GPS or both. But as Ramona says, the ss screws wouldn't be much of an issue

twodogs1969 said..
Hi troph
How/ who do you get it swung by?

All you need is a check swing. Looks like your in Botany Bay. I would suggest finding a few transit marks around the bay on a paper chart. Convert the readings to magnetic and just steam around pointing your vessel at these transit points and compare your compass reading to your notes. If your with in 5 degrees I would call that quits and return to electronic navigation.


Only people that need to worry really are those people with steel boats!