Copyright 2008 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. The Weekend Navigator Part II Copyright 2008 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc.

Chapter 18: Using the Electronic Compass

Types of Electronic Compasses Fluxgate compass Most popular type Magnetic compass Uses coils of wire to sense the Earth’s magnetic field Able to self-compensate Accurate to within 1o

Types of Electronic Compasses Gyrocompass Much more expensive Independent of local influences Highly accurate Used on commercial ships and yachts

Types of Electronic Compasses GPS compass Compares positions of each GPS antenna Comparable to gyrocompasses in accuracy Not subject to local magnetic influences Used more for commercial ships About twice as expensive as gyrocompasses

Using the Electronic Compass Install and calibrate the fluxgate compass Select the appropriate dampening level for your boat and the north reference Remember, the compass is a heading reference that reflects the pointing angle of the bow.