Hi all

Could any steel yacht owners relate their experiences with
hand-bearing compasses and/or binoculars with compasses. Is deviation
a constant problem or can it be minimised? I am wondering if it is
worthwhile buying binoculars with compasses. Any information on makes
found satisfactory would be appreciated. Thanks.

Regards

Steve

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(Steve Smith) wrote in message . com...
Hi all

Could any steel yacht owners relate their experiences with
hand-bearing compasses and/or binoculars with compasses. Is deviation
a constant problem or can it be minimised? I am wondering if it is
worthwhile buying binoculars with compasses. Any information on makes
found satisfactory would be appreciated. Thanks.

Regards

Steve

Totally useless - I was using a handbearing compass on a 26m steel
tjalk and the bearing error was terrible - despite getting as far away
as possible from the metal structure.
I've now bought a Autohelm personal fluxgate compass.
Other wise for coastal navigation, it is back to horizontal sextant
angles.

Why would the fluxgate compass be any different from a traditional compass? The
compass is measuring the local magnetic field, which is distorted equally for
all magnetic compasses.

And BTW, don't let jaxie know that you're using a sextant without a
chronometer - he doesn't think its possible.



"Rob" wrote in message
om...
(Steve Smith) wrote in message
. com...
Hi all

Could any steel yacht owners relate their experiences with
hand-bearing compasses and/or binoculars with compasses. Is deviation
a constant problem or can it be minimised? I am wondering if it is
worthwhile buying binoculars with compasses. Any information on makes
found satisfactory would be appreciated. Thanks.

Regards

Steve

Totally useless - I was using a handbearing compass on a 26m steel
tjalk and the bearing error was terrible - despite getting as far away
as possible from the metal structure.
I've now bought a Autohelm personal fluxgate compass.
Other wise for coastal navigation, it is back to horizontal sextant
angles.

Hi Rob

I assume this is an all steel boat rather than GRP/Aluminium/Wood
above deck, not that I am too tempted by these anyway.

Thanks

Steve


Totally useless - I was using a handbearing compass on a 26m steel
tjalk and the bearing error was terrible - despite getting as far away
as possible from the metal structure.
I've now bought a Autohelm personal fluxgate compass.
Other wise for coastal navigation, it is back to horizontal sextant
angles.

The Metal Boat Society (MBS) website has a lot of information on
compasses (including fluxgate) and metal boats; use the search
facility on their website:

http://www.metalboatsociety.com/

Cheers, jimthom

Hi

Thanks, I'll have a look.

Steve

(jimthom) wrote in message . com...
The Metal Boat Society (MBS) website has a lot of information on
compasses (including fluxgate) and metal boats; use the search
facility on their website:

http://www.metalboatsociety.com/

Cheers, jimthom