Q- Do I still need a marine compass if I already have a GPS onboard?
A- Even if your boat is already equipped with a GPS, there is no substitute for the marine compass.  If you are venturing for more than one mile or two from shore, it is advisable that you have a compass onboard even if you have the latest in electronic gadgets.  Navigation electronics are advanced but they can never replace a properly compensated and adjusted magnetic compass in the event electrical power to the electronics is lost.
Marine compasses are relatively inexpensive, with some quality brands starting at $36 dollars as the Ritchie X-10-M-CLM COMPASS but can go as high up as almost $900 with the RITCHIE SP-5C (STAINLESS) 5 DEGREE 12 VOLT seen below.

Q-What is a Fluxgate Compass?
A-Fluxgate compasses are also known as electronic compasses.  They have many advantages over the standard magnteic compasses but the principal advantage is their extreme accuracy (+-0.5 degrees).  They also have large digital readouts and can be connected to NMEA 0183 electronics.  They do have a major flaw however, and that is being electronic and subject to failure, power loss, or can be damaged by lightning.  Given the low cost of the magnetic compasses, it is advisable to keep a good magnetic compass at hand as a backup.
View all Marine Compasses available at JMSOnline.net

Q-What should I do if all of a sudden I have no voltage to my instruments?
A-Most onboard systems such as chartplotters, fishfinders and multifunction displays often have built in volt meters. This will tell you that current is getting to the points they are installed. However if an instrument does not turn on and fuse is not blown, you will need a portable voltmeter. If no voltage is present on the instrument you are checking, test at every electrical connection between the instrument and the battery. When you find a spot that the reading is 12 volts, you have fond the spot with the bad connection. Most likely you will find a corroded or poor connection or a loose connection or a defective switch or breaker.


Q-How can I figure out the positive and negative leads before re-connecting my electrical equipment?
A- First of all, never leave your dock without a portable voltmeter. Before re-connecting your electrical equipment, place the leads of your voltmeter on what you think are the positive and negative 12V leads going to the power source. Observe the reading on the meter. If the reading is 12V, then you have the right polarities and you can safely connect your equipment. However, if the needle reads backwards, instead of moving to the right t moves to the left, or if the digital voltmeter reads -12V, then you have the polarities reversed and you will need to reverse them. Remember to never leave the dock without your voltmeter.

EPIRB Best Practices

1- Mount the bracket where it can’t be overlooked and be sure everyone on board knows how and under what conditions to activate it.
2- Keep portables PLBs in a ditch bag or emergency kit. Dedicate a place to stow it, somewhere where it can be easily reached in case of emergency.
3- Test your EPIRBs regularly, especially before a long trip. The self test procedure is simple and written on the side of every unit.
4- Check the battery expiration date located on a sticker attached to the EPIRB. Replace them every 4-5 years