Choosing the right compass for your boat
→ Choosing a navigation compass: we'll guide you
When you're sailing, there are several tools you can use to plan your route and steer you on the water, where visual landmarks are scarce.
The navigation compass is one of the most essential navigation instruments at sea: a compass system that tells you north (on the horizontal plane) and measures angles in the desired direction.
Nowadays, magnetic compasses have been abandoned in favor of GPS, but they are still an essential and reliable tool to install on board your boat. You must carry a magnetic compass or GPS-type satellite system on board for any navigation beyond 2 MN.
So, a will work in all circumstances, especially if your GPS breaks down or becomes faulty. Other are just as indispensable on board, such as the Cras ruler, protractors, the dry point compass and even the indispensable Sextant, even if it has become obsolete today.
→ Navigation compass, how does it work?
A navigation compass is a box inside which is a compass rose. This compass rose is equipped with magnets that react to the earth's natural magnetic field. The compass rose, driven by these magnets, will rotate until it points north, just as a compass can. The navigation compass is graduated from 0° (indicating North) to 359°.
To ensure the smoothest possible rotation with the least friction, the compass rose is centered on a sharp pivot and bathed in a viscous liquid.
The is therefore a product that consumes no additional energy and tells you which way north is at any given moment. Please note that different zones exist on Earth, depending on the strength of the magnetic field received. It is therefore imperative to take these zones into account when balancing your compass.
Once your compass has indicated North, simply measure the angle between North and the direction you're aiming for, and plot this value on a map to find your bearings.
→ Flat rose or conical rose: what are the differences?
The can be fitted with a conical (or cylindrical) rose or a flat rose, depending on use and helm position. The conical rose allows dual reading: from the front, at the front of the rose, and from the top, thanks to the graduations or cardinal points visible on the upper part. This type of rose is particularly suitable when steering or piloting from a seated or standing position.
The flat rose, on the other hand, can be read from the stern, at the height of the alidade. Thanks to the liquid's magnifying effect, the figures at the bottom of the compass are magnified for improved legibility. It also provides an overview of the boat's direction in relation to North, ideal for quick, global reading.
The different navigation compasses
There are three main categories of navigation compass for your boat. The electronic compass uses gyroscopic and magnetic sensors to provide precise steering, often coupled with a GPS system.
As its name suggests, a bearing compass uses visible landmarks to determine position or course, while a magnetic compass uses the earth's magnetic field to provide a reliable, self-contained on-board tool.
→ Electronic compass
This compass can be fixed or mobile, and generally has additional functions such as date, time, anemometer function, thermometer, etc. It has a digital display. It has a digital display. The main technologies used by electronic compasses are fluxgate, Hall effect, magnetoresistance and magnetoinduction.
→ Bearing compass
Used to measure the angle between the aiming direction and north. The bearing compass is a movable compass and sighting is by the axis of the compass rose. It is particularly useful for determining a position by successive bearings of remarkable points on land or at sea. The model is a benchmark in navigation.
→ Magnetic compass
Also known as a course compass, it is used to hold a course, or an angle during navigation. The is an inexpensive instrument (although some models can be expensive). There are several models to choose from, including stirrup, horizontal, vertical, barrel/mini-barrel and mast-mounted compasses.
→ Choosing a magnetic compass for your boat
Whether you're a helmsman or a pilot, whether you're looking for a or a compass for sailboats, the navigation compass will be your faithful companion for many years to come. It is therefore extremely important to choose the right compass for your type of boat and sailing area.
A compass can be both a bearing compass and a magnetic compass. A bearing compass is a function, while a magnetic compass is a technique, similar to a compass. There are many different types of magnetic compass.
To help you choose the right compass for your boat, we've listed the essential questions to ask yourself before you buy.
➡️ What type of boat do you have?
Whether you're on a light boat, such as a RIB, a cruising sailboat or a racing sailboat, a motorboat or a pleasure boat, a kayak... Your choice will depend on the angle of heel and the stability of the rose, in the event of shocks or vibrations on board. Defining the type of boat is essential for adapted to your sailing conditions.
➡️ What is your navigation program?
Boat compass with or without lighting, SOLAS-approved, with or without compensation or ISO-compliant, depending on your type of sea outing (day trip, cruise, regatta or offshore sailing), you'll choose your compass balanced for the area you'll be sailing in, with a simple or tactical rose.
➡️ How to choose the size of your boat compass?
Another important piece of information is that you'll need a larger compass depending on the distance to the compass. Generally speaking, the apparent diameter of the rose is between 70 and 90mm for a boat between 5 and 9 meters. For boats between 8 and 12 m, you'll need a model with a diameter of at least 100 mm. For larger boats, we recommend a steering column-mounted compass with a minimum diameter of 135 mm for the rose.
➡️ What type of mounting should I choose?
You also need to think about the type of mounting for your boat compass. You can choose it for its design, which won't detract from the aesthetics of your boat, but you'll also need to think about how to install your compass on board. As the most important thing is to be able to read it easily, you can opt for a flush-mounted or non-flush-mounted compass, on a horizontal or vertical support, on a bracket or removable.
→ New regulations for magnetic compasses
The Division 240, governing the safety of pleasure craft under 24 meters, was updated by in October 2024. Among the major changes, the requirements for the boat's magnetic compass, a key element for navigation, have been clarified. From now on, it must be watertight , firmly attached to the boat and visible from the helm station.
It must also operate autonomously, without an external power source, have integrated lighting for optimum reading in low light, and comply with ISO 25862:2019 or ISO 14227:2001 standards to guarantee reliability.
These adjustments are designed to improve safety at sea by requiring higher-performance equipment that complies with international standards. It is therefore essential that yachtsmen check the compliance of their magnetic compasses with these new regulations, to avoid any non-compliance and ensure safer navigation.
On our site, you'll find which are among the best navigation compasses on the market, and will enable you to comply with the new legislation.
→ Navigation compasses at Nautisports
Find all our boat compasses and navigation instruments such as dry point compasses, nautical protractors or Cras rulers available on our Nautisports online site.
Each navigation compass has a dedicated product sheet with all the information you need to make your purchase, such as price, availability, delivery time, compass lighting option, protective cover, and any other essential accessory for your navigation compass, such as a bracket, mounting bracket or compensation box.
You'll also find all the major brands of navigation compasses, including our full range of Plastimo products and navigation instruments, the as well as the reference brands Advansea and Riviera.
