The modern magnetic compass has undergone a number of changes, and its accuracy far surpasses earlier designs. It didn’t take us long to find the culprit: Speakers from the portable stereo had been placed too close to the compass, creating a magnetic field that fooled the compass.ĭespite the advances in electronic navigation over the last few decades, one of the most important pieces of onboard equipment is the compass, a relatively simple device that’s based on technology that traces its origins back 2,200 years. As the miles slipped under the keel, a stereo in the cockpit kept the on watch entertained.Īfter six hours of faithfully following our compass course, we were shocked to discover we were far off of our dead-reckoning (DR) position. A bit of breeze was blowing, so it wouldn’t take too long. The trip was a short night passage on a 50-footer we were delivering across Lake Michigan from Chicago to the Michigan side of the lake. Years ago, I learned a fast lesson in the importance of an accurate compass.
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