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(Alex McGruer) wrote in message . com...
(James F. Aguiar) wrote in message m...
I am very new to this kayak sport and I have noticed that many
kayakers add compasses to their kayak.....is this an over
kill....where does one expect to go where they would need a
compass.....Don't get me wrong, I love the whole thing because I just
bought a CapeHorn 170 and mounted a Richie compass on it and it looks
really nice.....I just hope I don't get razzled on it...Jim

I always have a compas on deck and one in my OS kit ( OS is short for
Oh Shoot kit
I pick a course and have one very simple bearing committed to memmory,
A safety bearing that will bring me to a shoreline to follow to safety
if I get dissoriented by fog . I choose a linier target if possible
then just follow it one way or the other to a safe take out.
I have been cought out and it is not that scary. Once we just beat a
huge thick fog bank and some wind , Plan B was a 5 KM paddle to
St.John's Harbour. That would have involved the compass and a call to
Harbour Traffic to make sure I was OK in the narrows, ( ships ).
It happens. You will likely never need a compass but when you nead it
you nead it badly and right now. Its no good in your hatch.
Oh Even if you can do the magnetic declination math a compass and
kayak are not an exacting science. A linier safety bearing is a good
idea and follow the coast or surf line till you know where you are and
can find a safe take out.
Kayaks can go places and survive conditions that shock some other
boaters. We are the cock roach of the boating world.
HEE HEE.

I agree, the compass is a must. Where I plan on kayaking along the
shores of Buzzards Bay one could get caught in a fog or poor
visability easily. Many boats have been rammed by sports fishermen. A
kayak is invisable to radar. Crossing open waters requires some
thinking.....Jim