On 25-Oct-2004, (James F. Aguiar) wrote:

where does one expect to go where they would need a
compass.

Anywhere there's lots of islands for one. If you're paddling
among a lot of islands, they all start to look the same after
a while. A compass and chart will allow you to figure out
which island is which.

You don't need fog to get lost in a crossing either. If your
destination is indistinct for any reason, a compass and chart
will help you sort things out when you get across. A shoreline
with lots of coves and bays looks like one solid line of trees
from a distance.

I only ignore the compass when paddling in very familiar waters.

Mike

"Michael Daly" wrote in message ...
On 25-Oct-2004, (James F. Aguiar) wrote:

where does one expect to go where they would need a
compass.

Anywhere there's lots of islands for one. If you're paddling
among a lot of islands, they all start to look the same after
a while. A compass and chart will allow you to figure out
which island is which.

You don't need fog to get lost in a crossing either. If your
destination is indistinct for any reason, a compass and chart
will help you sort things out when you get across. A shoreline
with lots of coves and bays looks like one solid line of trees
from a distance.

I only ignore the compass when paddling in very familiar waters.

Mike

Thanks for all the replies....I am new to kayaking but I have owned a
couple of boats, one being a 23 foot sail boat. I learned that a
compass is a valuable asset when out on the water. I am surprized to
hear that so many people are taking on the open waters in kayaks. I
live on the south coast of Ma. and it seems as though paddleing a
kayay out to CuttyHunk Island and then out through the one of the
passages between the Elizebeth Islands into Vineyard Sound is a
typical day of kayaking. That is dangerous waters in a 23 foot sail
boat never mind a kayak.
I recently purchased a WildernessSystems CapeHorn 170. It has a large
4 1/4" circular place on the forward deck for a compass. I chose the
Richie Voyager that fills that spot nicely, however it looks a bit
like an over kill to see such a large compass on a kayak,but at 64
years of age I can see the dial easily without glasses.....Anyway, as
of now I don't have any intentions of going out into Buzzards Bay.
I think the GPS is perhaps one of the best devices available,
especially one with a bluechart such as the Garmin.
Anyway, with a little luck I may be able to survive next summer
kayaking. Jim

GPS is great - take a chart and of course you now have the compass- GPS
batteries always fail when you need them the most. Stupid Mr. Murphy and his
darn law.

"James F. Aguiar" wrote in message
om...
"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...
On 25-Oct-2004, (James F. Aguiar) wrote:

where does one expect to go where they would need a
compass.

Anywhere there's lots of islands for one. If you're paddling
among a lot of islands, they all start to look the same after
a while. A compass and chart will allow you to figure out
which island is which.

You don't need fog to get lost in a crossing either. If your
destination is indistinct for any reason, a compass and chart
will help you sort things out when you get across. A shoreline
with lots of coves and bays looks like one solid line of trees
from a distance.

I only ignore the compass when paddling in very familiar waters.

Mike

Thanks for all the replies....I am new to kayaking but I have owned a
couple of boats, one being a 23 foot sail boat. I learned that a
compass is a valuable asset when out on the water. I am surprized to
hear that so many people are taking on the open waters in kayaks. I
live on the south coast of Ma. and it seems as though paddleing a
kayay out to CuttyHunk Island and then out through the one of the
passages between the Elizebeth Islands into Vineyard Sound is a
typical day of kayaking. That is dangerous waters in a 23 foot sail
boat never mind a kayak.
I recently purchased a WildernessSystems CapeHorn 170. It has a large
4 1/4" circular place on the forward deck for a compass. I chose the
Richie Voyager that fills that spot nicely, however it looks a bit
like an over kill to see such a large compass on a kayak,but at 64
years of age I can see the dial easily without glasses.....Anyway, as
of now I don't have any intentions of going out into Buzzards Bay.
I think the GPS is perhaps one of the best devices available,
especially one with a bluechart such as the Garmin.
Anyway, with a little luck I may be able to survive next summer
kayaking. Jim

James F. Aguiar wrote:

Thanks for all the replies....I am new to kayaking but I have owned a
couple of boats, one being a 23 foot sail boat. I learned that a
compass is a valuable asset when out on the water. I am surprized to
hear that so many people are taking on the open waters in kayaks. I
live on the south coast of Ma. and it seems as though paddleing a
kayay out to CuttyHunk Island and then out through the one of the
passages between the Elizebeth Islands into Vineyard Sound is a
typical day of kayaking. That is dangerous waters in a 23 foot sail
boat never mind a kayak.

In the hands of a skilled paddler, kayaks can handle incredibly rough
water. I wouldn't suggest that you try it until you build your skills
and find some skilled paddling partners. Check out the North Shore
Paddler's Network at www.nspn.org. It's the largest club in the greater
Boston area and it organizes a lot of skill building sessions, both on
the ocean and in pools during the winter. There are quite a few members
on the South Shore and the Cape, so you shouldn't have any problem
finding people to hook up with for trips.

I recently purchased a WildernessSystems CapeHorn 170. It has a large
4 1/4" circular place on the forward deck for a compass. I chose the
Richie Voyager that fills that spot nicely, however it looks a bit
like an over kill to see such a large compass on a kayak,but at 64
years of age I can see the dial easily without glasses.

That's a standard compass for kayaking. You need to be able to see it
with a quick glance in rough conditions, so the bigger the better,
within reason.

.....Anyway, as
of now I don't have any intentions of going out into Buzzards Bay.

Trust me, that will change. Besides, you'd be giving up a lot of good
paddling if you don't venture into the Bay.

I think the GPS is perhaps one of the best devices available,
especially one with a bluechart such as the Garmin.

I have a GPS, but I almost never use it, as I find that it's too "fussy"
when I really need to get info quickly. It can also be difficult to
read, especially when it's wet. A chart and compass is much faster and
more foolproof, IMO.

Anyway, with a little luck I may be able to survive next summer
kayaking.

It's not about luck. As with most endeavors, it's about preparation and
ability.