compass question

I don't use fish finders, so I have a hand held gps. If that goes bad, the compass is my only way home.

How does drawing perfect circles help you to get home?

What about this at BassPro for $40 (regular $130) - opinions welcome?
Oregon Scientific Weather Forecasting GPS Scout Backtrack Altimeter
Price ends tomorrow.

http://bit.ly/1W2PFCY

austin canoe and kayak has Brunton and Ritchie panel and deck mount compasses. I am considering adding one to my viking. worth taking a look at anyway.

Anyone who thinks they're getting serious about offshore kayaking needs at least one compass. 

A Suunto deck-mount is excellent - I highly recommend getting one immediately.

GPS is vital, but it's secondary to a compass.

I've been 5 miles off of the Humboldt Bay jetties in thick fog.  There are no offshore rocks or reefs, and there are only sandy beaches for many miles NE and SW.  The currents are strong.  If you don't know how to navigate out there you will be lost.  Literally.

Navigating offshore has everything to do with being confident in your abilities.  Without a compass, you do not have abilities once visibility goes and swell strength and direction vary.

Another important note about offshore safety:  the sonar is a huge safety feature.  When I'm in fog a few miles from launch, knowing the depth is key to knowing my location.

I like this topic a lot.

 

Anyone who thinks they're getting serious about offshore kayaking needs at least one compass. 

A Suunto deck-mount is excellent - I highly recommend getting one immediately.

GPS is vital, but it's secondary to a compass.

I've been 5 miles off of the Humboldt Bay jetties in thick fog.  There are no offshore rocks or reefs, and there are only sandy beaches for many miles NE and SW.  The currents are strong.  If you don't know how to navigate out there you will be lost.  Literally.

Navigating offshore has everything to do with being confident in your abilities.  Without a compass, you do not have abilities once visibility goes and swell strength and direction vary.

Another important note about offshore safety:  the sonar is a huge safety feature.  When I'm in fog a few miles from launch, knowing the depth is key to knowing my location.

I like this topic a lot.

 

        good stuff Eric, Man I got alot to learn. I feel like a baby taking my first steps.Thank god for the NCKA.

great thread, NCKA is as usual invaluable!! After quick just bought a brunton 58 from amazon, they have a pretty good price

this is great. im learning a lot , thanks for the replys

Ritchie 35 (available at West Marine) is a great compass; low profile.

Here's where I installed mine; don't even notice it until I need it:

+1 on that same Richie compass.  Had one in my Kingfish kayak; loved the compass.  No problem with turning the kayak upside down for transport, fairly dampened so not a lot of rapid, erratic compass motion.

I don't use fish finders, so I have a hand held gps. If that goes bad, the compass is my only way home.

How does drawing perfect circles help you to get home?

Ever heard of circling back?