Originally Posted by dorado50

The most important navigational tool on any vessel is the magnetic compass. Properly selected,installed,and compensated,a marine compass will provide simple,trouble free reference for direction under virtually any circumstance and without the need for electric power or electronics. Because of its basic importance,the marine compass should be selected with in-depth knowlege of its operation and the type of boating that is expected to be done. The compass can provide the skipper with trustworthy readings in all types of water,visibility,and sea conditions.