Ritchie also makes a nice kayaking compass, large numerals etc.It's not adjustable, but mine has needed no adjustment. Again, you do need to make a flat mounting platform for your deck. - Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > > Ritchie also makes a nice kayaking compass, large numerals etc.It's not > adjustable, but mine has needed no adjustment. Again, you do need to make a > flat mounting platform for your deck. - Bill Hansen I must not be getting all my email since I did not see any original post from Gabriel Romeu who another poster was answering regarding this subject. Regarding compasses, there are an awful lot of them out there. Your decision really depends on what you want to do with one. The best type of compass is one that works well as both a steering and hand bearing compass. One that comes to mind that is exceedingly good in both departments is the Silva UN 70. I see that in the latest West Marine catalog, they no longer carry it. That is too bad. I know Gabriel is keen on learning to work with a compass and recently took what sounded like a good course up here. The virtues of that particular Silva model are: --It is a true marine compass with a big globe, an ability to work and not get stuck even when heeled over, and instant dampening of the needle. This makes it ideal as a steering compass on any kayak. --It is removable from its holder for use for taking bearings or fixes on various places around you in order to figure out where you are exactly on a chart. It has a good pistol grip and easy to steady in your hand when you take bearings. This makes it a great bearing compass. --It has a holder that will keep the compass from deep sixing if you go over (and an small hole in the handle for tying some string for just-in-case the compass does jar free of its holder. --Some versions come with a light so you can see the face in low light conditions or at night. The way to mount it? Depends on your kayak. I use it, or have, on my Kleppers and have special boards that go across the open cockpit. To that I affix the holder for the compass. On non-folding kayaks, you can work out a small board and bungee device to hold the compass. The cost? I don't know anymore. They were in the $80 range at one point. best, ralph > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > > > > Ritchie also makes a nice kayaking compass, large numerals etc.It's not > > adjustable, but mine has needed no adjustment. Again, you do need to make a > > flat mounting platform for your deck. - Bill Hansen > > I must not be getting all my email since I did not see any original post > from Gabriel Romeu who another poster was answering regarding this > subject. Maybe. I think on the last exchange, Gabriel emailed me privately, so I responded privately. I think when he replied to me he also sent his reply to the list. I recommended the Aquameter Sailor II, which is a large deck compass, and less expensive (and lower profile, I think) than the Silva you recommended, but which can not double as a sighting compass. Like the larger Ritchie Bhansen recommends, the Sailor II has no provision for compensation -- but I've never need it in any of my deck compasses. I have not yet found it a bother to swing my yak to make compass sightings, but I do not travel in busy waters, as Ralph does. Bhansen's mentioned Ritchie deck compass is comparable in size to the Sailor II. Ritchie also makes a smaller compass which can be deck-mounted or used as a sighting compass (it also has provision for a tiny Cyalume light stick for appropriately dim night lighting of the compass dial), but its dialface is too small for the numerals to be readily visible from where my eyes are when I paddle. This small compass (about US$25, I think) is Model #X-11Y in the yellow flavor. I used one for a year before I bought a Sailor II. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> > --It is removable from its holder for use for taking bearings or fixes > on various places around you in order to figure out where you are > exactly on a chart. It has a good pistol grip and easy to steady in > your hand when you take bearings. This makes it a great bearing > compass. Hi Ralph, This brings up another question. Seems that the further away the compass is fore, the more accurate it would be for bearing fixes and such(given you have to point the boat), as well as more comfortable to maintain a bearing because you wouldn't have to refocus as you would looking at the compass if it is within reach(sorry for the long run on sentance). Also, where do you put it with the water bottle, map, gps, radio, camera, binoculars, ashtray, etc. within arms reach until you get one of those cool English boats with the small rear bulkhead behind the seat? I had always assumed that a handheld would be separate entity in the map holder. I think I need some basic housekeeping and organizational lessons. and where do you put it on a SOT? -- gabriel l romeu http://studiofurniture.com studio furniture http://members.aol.com/romeugp paintings, photos, prints, etc. http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR a daily photo journal *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Last summer I tested a new product for Ritchie related to the Kayaker compass. It is a portable compass mount made of rubber with a grommet at the four corners. I bungeed it to the deck lines up by the front hatch and it stayed in place well even in seas. Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ > ---------- > From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com[SMTP:Bhansen97_at_aol.com] > Sent: Friday, February 26, 1999 8:54 AM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: [Paddlewise] deck compass > > Ritchie also makes a nice kayaking compass, large numerals etc.It's not > adjustable, but mine has needed no adjustment. Again, you do need to make > a > flat mounting platform for your deck. - Bill Hansen > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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