Navigation compass

The Nautic Way Maritime Bookstore offers navigation compasses.

Are you looking for a navigation compass?

The navigation compass, called dry point compass, is essential on a chart table. In several sizes, straight or lyre, in brass or brass / stainless steel, divider or in an elegant version.

The drypoint compass or "compass divider" is a traditional geometry instrument, used on a paper nautical chart, in addition to the navigation ruler, it allows you to measure, control and report your distances and positions. The navigator expresses the distances recorded on the map in miles. This nautical mile, also called nautical or nautical mile, corresponds to one minute of latitude (1,852 m). It will therefore be found on the latitude scale located to the right and left of the map. Each mile being itself subdivided into tenths of a mile.

We advise you, for more precision in your readings, to use a quality dry point compass, equipped with fine stainless steel points. Once stored in its case, your instrument will be protected from all risks of accidental defoaming of the tips.

The body of the compass is most often made of brass. It consists of 2 branches, 15-20 cm long, connected to each other by a joint. For your comfort, it is essential that the hardness of this joint can be adjusted using a soft friction screw.

Depending on the intended use, there are different types of compasses.

• The right compass: it has two parallel branches. To measure long distances, it can open almost completely. But then you will need both hands to do it. This type of compass is suitable for exercises on the table of the offshore pleasure boat license.
• The Lyre compass: the shape of the compass makes it easy to grip with one hand. The other remaining suddenly available for manipulation of the navigation ruler or the pencil. More practical, although with a smaller opening capacity than the straight compass, this lyre compass will find its place on board in order to assist you effectively during your navigations.

The compasses that we market are those used and tested in school boats.