Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 21:26:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Mounting a compass >Thanks, Nick. 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. >Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu Hi Elaine In my opinion you can't effectively use a steering compass unless it is mounted well forward on your boat, and I would therefore forget about putting a steering compass on a spray deck. Ideally you just have to drop your eyes slightly and you can see where your going and the compass AT THE SAME TIME. Nigel Dennis, valley, P&H, and foster kayaks all are now manufactured with recesses moulded into the decks near the front hatch to take a Silva p70 compass. This is the ideal set up I think - the compass being protected by the recess. However if you don't have a boat with a recess but have a boat with VCP rubber hatch covers, a good way of mounting a compass without resorting to tying it on with bungies is to permanently mount the compass onto a front hatch cover. Takes approx. two minutes to screw the compass onto the cover with a small piece of plywood backing on the inside. This set up doesn't offer the protection that a compass recess does, but I have two hatch covers - one with a silva 85 mounted on it and one without for transport/surfing/playing etc where a compass may be at risk of damage. Silva 70 costs about 70 UK pounds, Silva 85 about 45 UK pounds. Hope this helps Cheers Colin Calder 57º19'N 2º10'W *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com> To: PaddleWise <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Friday, October 08, 1999 3:44 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Mounting a compass >Jerry Hawkins wrote: >> >> I've noticed several theories about compass mounting for sea kayaks: >> >> 1) Don't mount - use a hand compass. > >Not good when you want to maintain a course while paddling. A hand compass is >good for checking progress by taking a bearing on a landmark during a crossing >(etc.) but lousy for maintaining a course. Burch recommends both hand and >deck mount. > >> 2) Mount it straight to the deck. >> 3) Mount a beveled or curved wood base to the deck, then mount the compass >> with a removable mount to the flat top of the wood base. > >Potayto potahto -- depends on your deck's configuration The Aquameter Sailor >II (and similar others) comes with a snap mount which allows mounting to a >FLAT surface, so if you don't have a flat surface, then (3) is mandatory. > >> 4) Use only bungies or straps for a completely removable mount. > >Not my first choice. Bungies can fail. If you hit your fixed mount compass with the paddle or while walking it through a door it can break or break off. The bungied mount allows some shock absorbsion. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jerry - Not everyone needs a compass on a kayak. If you never venture out of a small confined area which you already know quite well, and if you never paddle when there's any chance of fog, then maybe you don't need a compass. On the other hand, there's a lot you can learn if you do have a compass and learn how to use it - and I think it adds to the fun of paddling. If you do decide that you want or need a compass, I believe strongly that you should mount it on the deck, or in the deck. Attachments to the froward hatch cover are possible, and they have their uses, but those and the bungie-cord attachments are prone to errors, since the compass won't always line up exactly with the boat, and it may also shift its position in any kind of weather. A hand-held compass is very helpful, and I think one should have *both* a hand-held and a fixed-mount compass, and learn how to use them. They have different uses, and there are many times when both will be needed. Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > > Jerry - Not everyone needs a compass on a kayak. If you never venture out of > a small confined area which you already know quite well, and if you never > paddle when there's any chance of fog, then maybe you don't need a compass. > > On the other hand, there's a lot you can learn if you do have a compass and > learn how to use it - and I think it adds to the fun of paddling. > > If you do decide that you want or need a compass, I believe strongly that you > should mount it on the deck, or in the deck. Attachments to the froward hatch > cover are possible, and they have their uses, but those and the bungie-cord > attachments are prone to errors, since the compass won't always line up > exactly with the boat, and it may also shift its position in any kind of > weather. > > A hand-held compass is very helpful, and I think one should have *both* a > hand-held and a fixed-mount compass, and learn how to use them. They have > different uses, and there are many times when both will be needed. > > Bill Hansen Don't overlook the combination Silva/Nexus UN 70 compass that is both a steering compass and hand bearing compass. In its holder it helps you hold a course; if you remove it from its holder it acts as a good bearing compass to fix your position on two or more bearing points. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 - 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > Don't overlook the combination Silva/Nexus UN 70 compass that is both a > steering compass and hand bearing compass. In its holder it helps you > hold a course; if you remove it from its holder it acts as a good > bearing compass to fix your position on two or more bearing points. Oooh, tell us more. Price, and who carries it? How big is the "holder", if I carve a piece of 3" ethafoam to fit over the deck ridge, can it be mortised on top to accommodate the holder? I was just going to use a handheld compass in the mortise but it wouldn't be so easy to read as this one, maybe. (? Ralph, you are giving me so much help I'm running out of money) Slainte! e Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Elaine Harmon wrote: > > On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > > Don't overlook the combination Silva/Nexus UN 70 compass that is both a > > steering compass and hand bearing compass. In its holder it helps you > > hold a course; if you remove it from its holder it acts as a good > > bearing compass to fix your position on two or more bearing points. > > Oooh, tell us more. Price, and who carries it? How big is the "holder", if > I carve a piece of 3" ethafoam to fit over the deck ridge, can it be > mortised on top to accommodate the holder? I was just going to use a > handheld compass in the mortise but it wouldn't be so easy to read as this > one, maybe. (? Ralph, you are giving me so much help I'm running out of > money) > > Slainte! e > > Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu The compass is in the West Marine catalog (item number 195776) for $79.99. The bracket is small enough to mount on a board with that hard foam underneath and attached to deck fittings with bungee and snap hooks so you can take it off in transit and when storing the kayak. You can buy extra brackets. The compass has an arm on it that fits into the bracket. You hold that arm as a pistol grip when you use the compass for taking hand bearings to fix your position. The version in West Marine has no night light but you can find the lighted version here and there. If I recall the lighted one is called the 70 UNE where as the un-lighted one is plain ole 70 UN. The arm has some foam in it that I think will help the unit float if dropped overboard. I have one but can't remember if I tried floating it. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 - 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/ ***************************************************************************
I believe Southwest Kayaks has a neat mounting bracket with bungies for the Silva that accommodates peaked decks. Bob -----Original Message----- From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> To: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu> Cc: Bhansen97_at_aol.com <Bhansen97_at_aol.com>; jhawkins_at_cisco.com <jhawkins_at_cisco.com>; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Sunday, October 10, 1999 4:57 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Mounting a compass >Elaine Harmon wrote: >> >> On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: >> >> > Don't overlook the combination Silva/Nexus UN 70 compass that is both a >> > steering compass and hand bearing compass. In its holder it helps you >> > hold a course; if you remove it from its holder it acts as a good >> > bearing compass to fix your position on two or more bearing points. >> >> Oooh, tell us more. Price, and who carries it? How big is the "holder", if >> I carve a piece of 3" ethafoam to fit over the deck ridge, can it be >> mortised on top to accommodate the holder? I was just going to use a >> handheld compass in the mortise but it wouldn't be so easy to read as this >> one, maybe. (? Ralph, you are giving me so much help I'm running out of >> money) >> >> Slainte! e >> >> Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu > > >The compass is in the West Marine catalog (item number 195776) for >$79.99. The bracket is small enough to mount on a board with that hard >foam underneath and attached to deck fittings with bungee and snap hooks >so you can take it off in transit and when storing the kayak. You can >buy extra brackets. > >The compass has an arm on it that fits into the bracket. You hold that >arm as a pistol grip when you use the compass for taking hand bearings >to fix your position. > >The version in West Marine has no night light but you can find the >lighted version here and there. If I recall the lighted one is called >the 70 UNE where as the un-lighted one is plain ole 70 UN. > >The arm has some foam in it that I think will help the unit float if >dropped overboard. I have one but can't remember if I tried floating >it. > >ralph diaz >-- >----------------------------------------------------------------------- >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 - 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/ >*************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Elaine Harmon wrote: >No, I mean I'm thinking of just carrying the wee cheap Silva I use on >land for "orienteering". I don't figure to be paddling at night alone >unless I get a lot better at it. e It's really nice to have a deck mounted compass. If you watch it and pay attention, you can tell if you're slipping off your course, and it's probably easier to hold a bearing with a deck compass than a GPS (although the GPS might be better for holding the course). After reading Burch's "Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation", I can't see how I got along without a compass. Even though most of my paddling is on rivers and lakes, I still find it valuable. Shawn 0 © 1999 ____©/______ ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Shawn W. Baker 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete/shawn/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>> I use the Sailor II also. I've been very happy with it. I see Shipstore.com has them on sale for $34, but they don't seem to have the bungie mount. http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/RUL/RULA121.html I mounted mine on a round piece of stock that I then fitted to the top of my deck, but this may be easier on a wood kayak than fiberglass or plastic. >> I did this on my old Sealution. I tapered the wood disc slightly and painted it black to match the Sailor II mount. I also carved out the bottom to match the contour of the deck and then used silicone adhesive to mount it to the deck. Because of the large area, the silicone adhesive held tightly, yet when I decided to move the compass farther away from me, I was able (with some difficulty) to pry the mount loose. BTW, to get a perfect fit, after you carve out the underside of the mount, tape Saran wrap or other plastic sheeting to the deck, spread the bottom of the mount with thickened epoxy resin, press it in place on top of the plastic, and let it harden. Then remove it and trim the edge before you apply the silicone adhesive. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>BTW, to get a perfect fit, after you carve out the underside of the mount, >tape Saran wrap or other plastic sheeting to the deck, spread the bottom of >the mount with thickened epoxy resin, press it in place on top of the >plastic, and let it harden. Then remove it and trim the edge before you apply >the silicone adhesive. Great Idea! I taped sandpaper rough side up on my deck and sanded down the wood blank until it matched my deck. Your way sounds MUCH easier! Woody *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I'm wondering, with the talk of damage to compasses that don't have a recessed deck to put them into if this is a real issue. I guess if the thing was permanently mounted to the deck it could get damaged in storage or transport but do the get hurt in use? The recessed deck area is nice if you put the compass in it but I don't think it is all that attractive if you just have this indentation. It looks like something is missing. I suspect a plot to sell more expensive toys to us besotted creatures who will buy a house based on it boat storage capacity, cars based on how many boats we can carry on them, and take jobs that give us the paddling time we need in different seasons. Joan *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 18 Oct 1999 JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote: > I suspect a plot to sell more expensive toys to us besotted creatures who > will buy a house based on it boat storage capacity, cars based on how many > boats we can carry on them, and take jobs that give us the paddling time we > need in different seasons. Aye, and what a pity that so many of us have to be besotted to perceive with true wisdom what kinds of things are really important in this life. e Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 10/18/1999 10:21:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time, JSpinner_at_aol.com writes: << I suspect a plot to sell more expensive toys to us besotted creatures who will buy a house based on it boat storage capacity, cars based on how many boats we can carry on them, and take jobs that give us the paddling time we need in different seasons. >> Excuse me, Joan, are you inferring that this is not normal behavior? PS: You forgot cockpit capacity for PFD-wearing dogs and buying houses on lakes for quick paddle fixes!!! Sandy Kramer Miami *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Not normal? Whose not normal? Do you know there re probably more people who don't know me in anything but paddling gear than know me in street clothes. People at work came to tell me of the kayaking machine they put in the gym last month. I'm too busy paddling to go to the gym right now. Gee, I thought the waterfront property went without saying and then the topic of which boat is another 10 threads <G>. Sandykayak_at_aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 10/18/1999 10:21:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > JSpinner_at_aol.com writes: > > << I suspect a plot to sell more expensive toys to us besotted creatures who > will buy a house based on it boat storage capacity, cars based on how many > boats we can carry on them, and take jobs that give us the paddling time we > need in different seasons. >> > > Excuse me, Joan, are you inferring that this is not normal behavior? > PS: You forgot cockpit capacity for PFD-wearing dogs and buying houses on > lakes for quick paddle fixes!!! *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>> Has anyone ever attempted to mount a tiny compass on the paddle shaft? It may seem odd at first thought but it could be useful. >> I used to have one of those small wristwatch compasses on a nylon band on the thwart in front of me on my canoe. Worked OK but it wasn't really waterproof so it ultimately got so much moisture condensing in it and became unreadable. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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