compas -do i need one

[bigbad 4cyl x2]

im setting up my dash and am wondering if i really need a compass , i have a nice Ritchie one,that fits into a 2 5/8 cutout ,it has a cord the plugs into a black box . any way i own a 20 foot boat , probably fresh and bay use. do i need a compass

 

[Splat]

Re: compas -do i need one

It's NEVER a bad idea, but if you need one or not is left up to you and your type of boating.

More importantly would you know how to use one?

Bill

 

[Boatist]

Re: compas -do i need one

Fresh water boating in good weather you do not need one.
Having said that I would not go to San Francisco Bay with out one, but I carry the chart for the area a Loran C and 3 GPS units. Also have several routes mostly to get out and in where I have recorded the compass heading and distance for both directions. These are for all Bay and Pacific Oceans sites I go to.

Inland lakes and rivers I have never used the compass. However if you do not have a GPS but have the chart or a VHF Radio then the compass can be used to help people find where you are by giving compass directions to different land marks.