Of course, a compass

For centuries, mariners have depended on a compass to provide direction.

- JEFF MERRILL

Sure, you can get some good approximations of east and west through sunrise and sunset, and you may have studied the constellations overhead to confirm your course at night, but relying on a simple compass for course heading is a relatively foolproof navigational tool that has stood the test of time. Some trawler builders don’t actually mount a proper compass in the pilothouse or on the flybridge — they consider a compass to be an option. A magnetic compass is not an “extra” to me; I want that instant reference to confirm my heading.

Who needs a compass? The first priority for any offshore voyager is to know where you are. Thanks to GPS, radar and other navigational electronics, it is much easier these days to determine precise locations via digital latitudes and longitudes. Knowing where you are enables you to select where you are going, and that is where a compass can help you establish direction and the correct course to travel to reach your next waypoint. So, the answer is: You need a compass!

Whether you are hand-steering or using an autopilot, you need to verify your direction. Glancing at your compass heading is so easy and intuitive. Don’t neglect this tool; it is the easiest way to know you are on course. The route you have plotted takes you from waypoint to waypoint, but I always like to double-check that I’m heading in the correct direction by cross-referencing my compass with my instrument displays. In the pilothouse, the compass globe is typically mounted on centerline; it’s easy to line up the lubber line on the outer rim with the pin in the center of the card and a burgee staff on your bow pulpit in order to create a visual straight line that will confirm your numerical heading as read on the compass card.