Compasses

On sailing ships and yachts a magnetic compass is usually used as steering compass. It functions as a pointer to magnetic north because the magnetized needle at its heart aligns itself with the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field. The choice of the compass model best suited for a boat depends on the installation conditions. In any case, the most important factor should be that the compass can be read easily by the helmsman. A globe compass with compass fluid filling is very common in yachting. Thanks to its construction it can move freely under …

… the closed glass globe even in rough seas. Flat-glass compasses are half gimballed or fully gimballed. Traditionally, they were housed in a skylight binnacle, usually made of brass, which was attached to a steering pedestal. Some classic universal compasses can be used for steering and bearings, which means that no hand bearing compass is required. Bulkhead mount compasses are compasses for installation on a vertical plane. Flush-mount compasses can be installed on a horizontal plane or mounted on a pedestal. Toplicht offers a very extensive selection of classic and modern ship and boat compasses. Many of these have been successfully used for decades in shipping, professional navigation and water sports.