Subject: Compass dip - questions for the southern Hemisphere people.
From: "Schoonertrash"
Date: 11/29/2003 10:31 Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

As Doug mentioned the cost of doing that is prohibitive. Much easier to get
two compasses. When you see the need, and it will be very apparent. Switch
to the other one. Then you only have to swing the compass for correction
which is not all that difficult. Remember you now have things like GPS to
help you out. Or use a star sight for N. and S. Figure amplitude on the
sun's rising and setting to find E. and W. Sounds much more intimidating
that it really is.

MST

One day left.


If that's directed at my response, I'd have to disagree.
Since balanced compasses are available, I'd consider it a better investment to
go for the single, potentially better compass, rather than two cheaper models
(which may end up costing about the same).
Naturally, there are always advantages to having two.....and even though it may
be unbalanced, doesn't mean it won't work.
I'd still be curious as to what they had to do to that ship compass to correct
it, as I've never heard of any problems with dip on one of these (might have
something to do with hanging the magnets well below the compass card and pivot)
Taking azimuths/amplitudes/polaris, should be a normal occurence for anyone
doing serious offshore work..... BG devising methods to get accurate ones on
many small boats, is another story

We're moving soon and will be within cell phone range one more time before
heading 'way' out. I'll make a point of asking some tech questions and
report back.

MST