This Is Just So Wrong!

[IslandHopper]

Seeing as this forum is about Navigation and has a tendency to lean more to the electronic side of the art, what do you guys and gals think of the below photo...



...i know how i feel about it , but i'm pretty sure if i put my thoughts here the mods would impose an immediate ban on me...

[rustypirate]

Whatever works.... That is not the ugliest binnacle setup I have seen.

With a steel boat, the compass needs compensating balls, dn as you can see with mine, things get pretty large quickly....

Of course I will be using a NavPod for my electronics.....

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by rustypirate

Whatever works.... That is not the ugliest binnacle setup I have seen.

With a steel boat, the compass needs compensating balls...

Sorry, maybe you missed my subtle sarcasam, being a licensed compass adjuster i know my way around compensating balls, and yes this is a steel boat....

The thing is i was asked to swing this compass and when i turned up this is what i was presented with, when i asked where the compensating balls where all i got was then i tried to describe them to him so i tried to explain the purpose of them to him i tried to explain the problems of having so many electronics close around the compass
So in the end i explained why i would not be swinging his compass and left him on the dock .....

[Stillraining]

I just thought they were down-rigger ball holders..

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

The thing is i was asked to swing this compass and when i turned up this is what i was presented with, when i asked where the compensating balls where all i got was

The guy just has no balls!

[idpnd]

I need a compass like that actually.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

I just thought they were down-rigger ball holders..

LOL!! You could be onto something there, i did see a couple of crab pots onboard, maybe i should have checked....

[barnakiel]

We use the plotter inside and just a plain GPS unit at the helm. Very practical. The small unit is fed WPTs from the plotter, but otherwise is a stand alone.

The other things we have at the helm are the steering compass and the echo.

No clutter, nothing to detract from whatever is going on in the real world.

b.

[David M]

The actual term is quadrantal sphere. They reduce deviation caused by the soft iron of the ship

[Zednotzee]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

The thing is i was asked to swing this compass and when i turned up this is what i was presented with, when i asked where the compensating balls where

You could've used a hole saw on the chartplotter, & mounted the compensating ball inside it. Also, a bit iffy but it looks like there may be enough clearance on the other side.

[David M]

That compass is still useful for holding a steady course. Its adjustment is obviously wacked.

[MarkJ]

Dunno if this post will get through as we are 12 miles off the coast..

anyways, I would be cutting out the big white blob and just running the chartplotter and electronics.

No one needs a big compass like that anymore and a for a few dollars a hand held would be fine in an emergency.

Island Hopper, I know its something close to your heart, but its not worth losing buisness over...

People are in a new age and if the old geer wants to be kept at all then its behoven on their exponants to try their best to keep them relevant.

All the best


Mark

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by David M

The actual term is quadrantal sphere. They reduce deviation caused by the soft iron of the ship

Thats correct, but when explaining to the uninitiated i prefer to use the K.I.S.S principle...

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by David M

That compass is still useful for holding a steady course. Its adjustment is obviously wacked.

Up to a point you are correct, but if you are holding a steady compass course with the electrics off and then turn them on, the compass course read out will change, and if you do not note this you will end up chasing the original course prior to switching the electrics on...
This was demonstrated to the owner and the diff was 12 deg with all the electronics on, this obviously changed when selecting them one at a time, a 12 deg compass error going unnoticed is dangerous in anyones language, especially if you are steering with it...

[promax]

sadly I have seen this before The ex wife has the balls home locked up in closet