Re: [Paddlewise] Mounting a compass

Elaine Harmon wrote:
> 
> The idea of putting the compass on the spray skirt sounds
> doable, at least, a lot easier than a deck mount. How much does one have
> to pay for a reasonably good compass, and what should be looked for? I
> don't have kayak shops around, just places like West Marine.

Small quarrel here with sprayskirt location for compass -- tougher to maintain
course when you have to keep looking down, then back to the horizon(?) in
front of you.  In addition, in really thick fog, should you *have* to paddle
in it, vertigo leading to seasickness is a strong likelihood.  It will help if
you do not have to swing your head down.

Re:  a good compass:  Aquameter's Sailor II is my choice.  About $50 US, and
you can mail order the dude from NWOC (http://www.nwoc.com/), Alder Creek
(http://www.aldercreek.com/), or Pacific Wave
(http://www.teleport.com/~pacwave/).  All these are in the Pacific Northwest,
but shipping would only be a few dollars.  To attach, you might need
Aquaterra's bungie-mount ($12 US, I think), although for less you can make
your own out of an end-cap for 4-inch PVC pipe (hardware store), a couple
snaplinks, and 18 inches of bungie.

I have the Sailor II on two singles and a double.  Killer visible, and easily
snaps off for theft prevention or impact avoidance.

Also, lower profile than that Silva one which has been discussed here, IIRC.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************