Hobie Cat Forums

I just picked one up at my local Academy for under $5 on clearance.

Has anyone used this compass before? I would be really interested in hearing from someone with personal experience with it.

Thanks in advance!

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

Info From the Package:

Optronics Zero-Spin Marine Compass
Model: CP-200 (black) & CP-201 (white)

• Saltwater tested
• Corrosion resistant
• Easy-to-read dial
• Stay on course even in the roughest water
• Backlit for use with 12v systems

This faithful marine compass is saltwater tested and corrosion resistant for long-lasting direction under the worst conditions. Marine Compass boasts an easy-to-read dial with 5° graduation marks; bracket mount that fits most boat dash configurations; and a unique no-snag sunshade.

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

Kind of big and gnarly to use on a Hobie Cat.

Rope catcher. Flayer of skin. Creator of bruises.

Just my 2 cents.

I am kinda worried about its size... But for $5 I figured I could give it a shot.

I bought this HDE Sea Marine Compass from Amazon for $12. But I was a bit concerned that the dial might be too small...


So I thought I might try them both...

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

What are you using it for? Racing or just cruising around?

I like this compass from Murrays.


It's fairly inexpensive, low profile, and easily clipped/unclipped between the hiking straps. I just use it for ocean sailing. I've been out a couple times when the fog has rolled in and that is no fun. Definitely good to know which way is West.

sm

Just for cruising, no real racing plans in the near future.

I was thinking of mounting it on the cross bar next to the mast base probably on the starboard side to avoid any issues with the roller furling line. I'll prob just have to try and use it to see if it will work for me...

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

What is the need for a compass?

It's a navigational tool.

I've been sailing before on a thirty foot monoslug and the fog rolled in, we could not see 50 feet in front of us and were on the opposite side of the lake to where the marina was.

The guy that owned the boat, told the guy at the helm. Follow the coast on this side until you reach a certain point, then point the boat to 170 degrees and we will arrive straight at the marina, and we did.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

While not completely a necessity its a nice to have item for me anyway. Especially considering the lake I will normally be sailing is 29,500+ acres...

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

yes i do know what a compass does however most/all of the time a Hobie could do without one
I have one on my big sailboat and on my 24'CC however rarely if ever use them due to my GPS Also I carry a spare handheld GPS as a backup
Back to the point a handheld small gps would make a lot better choice for a hobie I have even seen them with a VHF radio GPS combo
A small GPS will also give you speed bearing map data and compass data
Former Hobie Admiral Gary

Do you remember which make and model had VHF and GPS?

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'01 Getaway - Wetted Bliss

On a Hobie 16, a flat stick on compass would work well. You'd need 2 and stick them on top of pilons on the aft corner castings.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

You're right that most of the time a Hobie sailor can do without a compass, but when you need it, you'll be damn happy you have it. I recall an ocean regatta probably 15+ years ago when we were racing and the fog rolled in. You literally could not see more than about 50 feet in any direction. Talk about spooky.

More recently, about three years ago, we had a bay regatta where a T-storm rolled in, the rain started dumping to total whiteout conditions, lightening strikes were all around. Boats were totally disoriented, and many (myself included) ended up on the opposite side of the bay, miles away from our launch.

In each case, a compass would have been very beneficial. Compasses are cheap, simple, and don't rely on batteries or get shorted out when dunked in the ocean. I now always carry one when I sail in the ocean. As I said, it's good to know which way is West.

sm