Best Flush Mount Compass Options For Bay Boats

Flush mount compasses are great navigational aids for boats of all sizes, from personal watercraft to large vessels. They are designed to be seamlessly integrated into the console or dashboard of a boat, providing a sleek and unobtrusive look. When choosing a flush mount compass, it's important to consider the size of the boat and the placement of the compass. For smaller boats, a compass with a 2-3 inch diameter dial is typically sufficient, while larger boats may require a compass with a 4-5 inch diameter dial for better visibility. The Ritchie Navigation range of flush mount compasses is a popular choice, offering models suitable for a variety of boat types and sizes. Their Supersport model, for example, is designed for offshore boat races and provides maximum stability even in severe pitch and roll conditions.

Ritchie Navigation Flush Mount Compasses

Ritchie Navigation offers a wide range of flush mount compasses for bay boats. Here is an overview of some of their products:

Ritchie Navigation Flush Mount Compass, Black (F-50)

This compass features a 2-3/4" direct-reading dial with internal green night illumination. It has built-in compensators to easily adjust for deviation, a scientifically matched sapphire jewel, and a hardened steel pivot dial movement. The internal gimbaling system allows the compass to operate normally without bottoming out due to the pitch and roll or heel of the boat. The Directive Force Magnets are field-balanced and matched to each compass model, providing superior accuracy and smooth, rapid response. This product has received positive reviews for its performance, direction accuracy, quality, ease of installation, and value for money.

Ritchie Navigation Flush Mount Compass, 3" Combi, Black

This Ritchie Navigation Flush Mount Compass has a 3" Combi dial and is available in both black and white. It features a pivot and jewel movement, with a hardened steel pivot and triple cup sapphire jewel movement, ensuring smooth dial operation and fast lock-on. The internal green night illumination provides clear visibility during night excursions.

Ritchie Navigation Supersport Flush Mount Compass

The Ritchie Navigation Supersport Flush Mount Compass is designed for use during offshore boat races. It provides maximum stability, even during severe pitch and roll conditions. This compass is installed with screws and is available in a 3-3/4" apparent reading and a 5" apparent reading.

Ritchie Navigation Helmsman Flush Mount Compass

The Ritchie Navigation Helmsman Flush Mount Compass is available in both black and white. It features a 3-3/4" CombiDamp Dial and is designed for easy installation.

Ritchie Navigation offers a variety of flush mount compasses to suit different boat types and user needs. Their products are known for their quality, performance, accuracy, and ease of installation.

Plastimo Flush Mount Compasses

The Plastimo Offshore 105 Flush Mount Compass is a great choice for boats ranging from 17 to 30 feet in length. It features a unique articulated protective hood with a built-in sliding cover composed of three telescopic parts, which allows you to adjust to the light and avoid glare on the dome. The compass also has a magnetic cell mounted on shock absorbers, ensuring stability in various conditions.

The Offshore 105 offers lighting on both the flat and conical cards. The flat card features two bulbs, while the conical card has one bulb, both illuminated at 12 Vdc. The card graduations are at 5.0-degree intervals, with heading numerals every 30. The compass is designed to be efficient even at high boat speeds or vibrations, thanks to Plastimo's exclusive 'Vibration Absorber' system, which guarantees exceptional card stability.

The Plastimo Offshore 105 Flush Mount Compass usually ships within 1-3 days and comes with a five-year warranty. It is also available in a bracket-mounted version with an optional bracket.

Flush Mount Compass Features

When choosing a flush mount compass for a bay boat, there are several features to consider. Firstly, the dial size and mounting style are the most important criteria when selecting a compass. Quality components that aid accuracy, smooth response, stability, and trouble-free operation should also be considered. Here are some specific features to look for:

Ease of Installation

Some flush mount compasses are designed for easy installation. For example, the Ritchie Supersport Flush Mount Compass installs with screws, while others may come with all the necessary hardware and instructions for a straightforward installation process.

Lighting

Lighting is an important feature to consider, especially if you plan on boating in low-light conditions. Some compasses offer built-in night illumination, such as the Ritchie Navigation F-50 Explorer Compass, which has internal green night illumination. You can also find compasses with night vision capabilities, like the Ritchie Helmsman Bracket Mount Marine Compass, which is ideal for boating in dark conditions.

Dial Size and Readability

The dial size of a compass is crucial for readability. Look for compasses with large, easy-to-read dials, like the Ritchie Globemaster 6" Flush Mount Compass, which has a 6" open-face dial. Some compasses also offer features like large numerals or different card styles to enhance readability.

Stability

If you plan on boating in severe pitch and roll conditions, stability is a critical feature. The Ritchie Supersport Flush Mount Compass, for example, provides maximum stability even during severe pitch and roll conditions.

Accuracy

Accuracy is essential for a compass to function effectively. Features like directive force magnets can provide superior accuracy and smooth, rapid response. Scientifically matched sapphire jewels and hardened steel pivot dial movements also contribute to accuracy by ensuring smooth dial operation and fast lock-on.

By considering these features and selecting a compass that suits your specific needs, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience.

Flush Mount Compass Reviews

When it comes to flush mount compasses for bay boats, there are several options available from different brands. Here are some reviews of flush mount compasses to consider:

Ritchie Flush Mount Compasses

Ritchie Navigation offers a wide range of flush mount compasses suitable for bay boats. The Ritchie F-50 Explorer Flush Mount Compass is a popular choice, with a 2-3/4 inch easy-to-read direct-reading dial and a movable sun shield. It fits a 3-5/8 inch mounting hole and is priced at $127.95. The Ritchie S-53 Explorer Surface Mount Compass in black is another option, featuring push-button removal of the compass module for storage and security, ideal for centre console boats. It is also priced at $127.95.

Ritchie's Supersport Flush Mount Compass is designed for offshore boat races and provides maximum stability even during severe pitch and roll conditions. It installs with screws and has received positive reviews for its stability. The Ritchie RU-90 Voyager Compass is also a good choice for small sailboats, featuring a high-visibility blue 3-inch card with extra-large numerals. It is priced at $199.95.

Other Flush Mount Compass Options

In addition to Ritchie, there are other brands that offer flush mount compasses for bay boats:

• Plastimo offers the Offshore 105 Compass, suitable for power boats 19 to 33 feet in length. It features a built-in articulated hood and is priced at $239.95.
• The Tacktick Solar-Powered Micro Compass System is available from West Marine, but pricing information is not provided.
• Wholesale Marine offers Optronics' Zero Spin Marine Compass in black or white finish. Its 5-degree graduation makes it easy to read.

Flush Mount Compass Sizes

Flush mount compasses come in a variety of sizes, with the dial size being the most important criterion when selecting a compass. Ritchie, a popular manufacturer of flush mount compasses, offers models with dial sizes ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches.

The Ritchie Navigation F-50 Explorer Compass, for example, has a 2 3/4-inch direct-reading dial. This model also features internal green night illumination, built-in compensators for deviation adjustment, and Directive Force magnets for fast heading lock-on.

For a larger option, the Ritchie Navigation SS-1002 Supersport Flush Mount Compass has a 3.75-inch dial. This model provides maximum stability even during severe pitch and roll conditions and is designed for offshore boat racing.

If you require an even bigger dial, Ritchie offers the Globemaster 6-inch Flush Mount Compass (F-600), which features a large, easy-to-read open-face dial. This model also offers a choice of green or red lighting in 12, 24, or 32 volts and a 5-year warranty.

Other manufacturers also offer a range of sizes for flush mount compasses. For instance, West Marine carries the SuperSport Flush-Mount Compass with a 5-inch apparent reading dial, and the Flush-Mount Navigator Compass with a 4.5-inch flat card dial.

When choosing a flush mount compass, it is essential to consider not only the dial size but also the mounting style and other features that aid accuracy, stability, and ease of use.

Frequently asked questions