Off the forum there has been a great deal of discussion in the past about trying to get the magnetic compass to actually work and a few have given up, saying it is a lost cause, even SHM....not good...every steel boat can fit a magnetic compass and get it to work and infact 60 percent of all the fishing boats in Hobart are steel and must have a working compass by law and do.

The best I have found for ICE is the Sunto D165 with Quadrantal spheres and a heel error corrector. It has a global card that is balanced for the entire world, not dipped for just the north or southern hemispheres and has a strong card magnet and excellent adjusting magnets in a frame under the compass, which are easy to use...the compensating balls are not just soft iron, they are special cancelling magnets in plastic balls which are supper effective...the heeling error will help me with the sailing rig.

I am using only marine compensated speakers for the stereo in the pilot house and they are both at the back and I am fitting the compass in the center of the pilot house so the card is above the window line with the steel below...all basic precautions to give the compass the best chance to work.

I still have the Comnav GPS compass...a must if you can afford it...and will use it to swing my magnetic compass and check it regularly on all headings...write up my deviation card...all very important for your insurance as if you ever had a claim and the question was asked about the accuracy of your Mag. compass if it was relivant...you may find yourself in deep water if you say it was not working...In Australia and virtually all international maritime juristrictions it is illegal to go to sea without an effective compass ....I would never go to sea with out a few things...one of the critical ones is a working Magnetic compass that you can rely on when the shit hits the fan.....a blind man can easily walk off a cliff if he cannot see and he has to walk beside it?

I hope to fit the compass in a couple of weeks and sail away with ICE, so will keep my fingers crossed that I actually can get it working...will let you know....but it is the best for the job....AUD$ 1850

Any news on the sea trials with the Suunto D 165?
Robert, I need a better email address for you. What I have sent you has come back. My email address is Peking462@gmail.com or John_milici@sbcglobal.net

Jerie
Don's teak mount was so good that I simply asked Seahorse to make me one just like it. I did not take a pic so perhaps Don or the yard can post one for all.

Please email me as I want to talk about your experience with the plumbing after living onboard for a year
rgstraghan at yahoo.ca

We are considering getting one. Could you send a picture of how you are mounting it?

I was so impressed with the Suunto D-165 that I bought one too, and Seahorse is now making me a mount per Don's.

A Comnav GPS compass will do daily duty, interfaced with the nav gear.

I spoke with Maretron on this. Most their applications are on steel boats. He said that the following must be done for it to work;

1. Compass should be 2' or more away from large steel mass. (so not mounted on the hull)
2. At least 18" from power cables.
3. Swung using their DSM module. (If I remember the identification correctly)

They said if that was followed it should work on any boat.

However, rather than risk repeating a problem that previous owners had I went with the Comnav GPS compass.


Hugh

OPPS....NEVER WAS GOOD AT SPELLING>>>

SUUNTO D165.......is the way to spell it and google it.

SORRY!

Have a look at this deviation card program. It may be of some use.

-Wendell

Don,
Each of your postings had great information. Thank you. Keep us posted about the compass. We look forward to good reports. Would love to talk with you about electricity. My email is peking462@gmail.com