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From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Mounting a compass
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 23:12:56 -0700
Michael Daly wrote:
> 
> Jerry Hawkins wrote:
> >
> > One last question on this topic.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> 
> Hey that and a kamal...bearing and distance in one go!
> 
> Mike

There is no reason why you could not mount a compass on the paddle; one
of those bantamweight wristwatch compasses would fit on a paddle shaft
with virtually no added weight (I don't mean the little add-ons for a
regular watch band but rather the compass that is about the size of a
watch and on a watchband).  However, it would be only of limited use as
steering compass as your paddle is moving around too much. 

At most, it would be a general form of indicative direction, i.e.
letting you know that you are basically facing broadly north, broadly
northeast, etc. but with no where the relative precision of a deck
compass for steering.  The latter is hard to keep a steering direction
within 5 degrees of course.  A paddle-mounted compass wristwatch would
be ranging 15 to 30 degrees of your course (that's a guess).

ralph diaz
-- 
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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."
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