Re: [Paddlewise] Low Profile Deck Compass?

From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:48:01 -0700
On Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 11:33 AM, Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote:

>
> Ditto on both.  When (not if) the GPS craters, I want the charts and the
> compass ready to go.
>

I just break out the *other* GPS.  :P

I'm still pretty partial to using charts but learning to deal with those
presented on electronic displays.


>
> BTW, Craig, of the ones I detailed, the only one with markings large enough
> for we oldsters is the Ritchie XP-99.  It is a well-made compass,
> specifically for kayaks (no compensation, of course).  And, there is an
> *outer* bezel you can rotate so the heading you want to maintain is on the
> lubber line; this makes holding that heading is a much easier job -- both
> scales have to match -- lining up any identical pair of numbers does the
> job, even if your eye is off the lubber line a bit.


That does sound like a good compass. After years of following compass
courses I suspect I just do it automatically; it's ingrained. But it's much
easier to line up something. Eric Hiscock, who, with his wife Susan, circled
the earth numerous times in several versions of "Wanderer" used a compass
that glowed in the dark and had the ability to indicate by two adjustable
lines where to steer. He and Susan hand-steered most of those
circumnavigations; their only relief was when they were in the trades and
could rig wing-and-wing sails with the sheets connected to the boat's
tiller. Then they both got a full night's sleep every night. LOL.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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Received on Thu Jul 15 2010 - 12:48:10 PDT

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