NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Should all electronic navigation devices on a yacht be set to True or Magnetic?
From: David Smith
Date: 2009 Nov 17, 14:16 +1300
From: David Smith
Date: 2009 Nov 17, 14:16 +1300
When a yacht is first fitted with a GPS, I believe most owners choose to set it to "Magnetic Heading" so that when comparing the bearing to the steering compass, only deviation has to be considered. However, in a short time, the amount of electronic navigation instruments grows and grows. A fluxgate compass along with an autopilot and electronic wind indicators get fitted. Then are added a radar, a second GPS chartplotter, a handheld GPS, a PC chartplotter, an AIS and an AIS display unit. So eventually we have aboard a yacht almost a dozen navigational instruments (along with paper charts) capable of being configured to "True" or "Magnetic" and just two instruments - the steering compass and the handheld compass not being able to give a "True" bearing readout The steering compass and handheld compass are now far less important than they used to be, (but are vital if the power fails or in emergencies). Information given on charts, in tide tables and other publications are all in "True" bearings. It seems to me that the traditional way of recreational sailing yachts having all electronic bearings displayed as "Magnetic" or "Compass", may not now be the most sensible thing. I would appreciate advice and opinions. David. New Zealand. -- NavList message boards: www.fer3.com/arc Or post by email to: NavList@fer3.com To , email NavList+@fer3.com