I was wondering if any of you fellow catamaran sailors could make a recommendation for a reasonably priced compass for my Inter 18. I am interested in a ‘starter’ compass that the crew and I can see while sailing. Does anyone have an opinion of the various compasses that mount upon the trampoline? Are they hard to read while sailing?
While I will eventually get a Tacktick compass (or GPS), I first thought it would be a good idea to start with a compass that mounts on the tramp (for ‘knocking around’ on weekends). I am talking about recreational sailing with the college sailing club, my Boy Scout troop (I am a Scout Master), or with my family.

Thanks in advance. I am not the most experienced sailor and therfore, I will appreciate any help you are willing to give!

B Klein
Inter 18

I have seen compasses designed for kayaks that might be suitable, the Suunto Orca Compass. Check this sites on line store, they probably can get it for you. It should cost +/- $40.00.

We used the Ritchie Tactician(~60$) in the Tybee and it performed well. It was easy to attach to the tramp, and was easy to read from the wire. It only needs 2 screws with flat washers beneath the tramp to install.

David Mosley
www.teamseacats.com

Thanks to both of you.

After reading the posts on the main open forum dealing with the same topic, I am not sure that having a compass on the tramp is necessarily a great idea. Nevertheless, may I ask what did you (or Jake) do with your compass after the Tybee? Do you want to sell it?

Cheers
Bob

Sorry it took so long to respond, I sold the boat with the compass still attached after the Tybee. Sorry.

David Mosley
www.powergroovesailing.com

Pardon for following up a bit late on this thread.

Have any of you looked at the modifications described on Anders Ansar's homepage? It seems like this would make analog compasses quite a bit more useful both tactically and regarding use (especially when double trapezeing).

I have some trouble envisioning just how his modifications works tough..