RE: [Paddlewise] compasses in different latitudes

From:          "Sisler, Clyde" <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
To:            "'Paddlewise'" <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Subject:       RE: [Paddlewise] compasses in different latitudes
Date:          Mon, 8 Jun 1998 13:12:37 -0400 

> Anyway, the question was raised whether sailing compasses could or
> should
> be adjusted some how when used in different latitudes. I've never read
> of
> anyone doing this, and I believe it's because marine compasses are
> highly
> "gimbaled" anyway to allow for listing, and so would not be affected
> by the
> vertical changes. Comments?
> 

Also in "My Old Man and the Sea" -- a book about a father and son 
cruising around the horn in a 25' or so sailboat, they talk about 
having compass problems once they cross the equator, so the problem 
seems to happen to sailing compasses also.  Even with a gimbal, the 
compass plate might get out of balance if the magnetic field is 
pulling down harder on one side than the other.
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