Remove compass and use GPS only, legal, safe, done frequently?
 

Just wondering if anyone has done it, or if it is legal to not have a compass on a boat. I am in the process of getting a new gps, and my dash space is extremely limited. The best spot to put it would be right where my old ritchie compass is. I hardly ever look at it, and it doesnt read true anymore, is always 30 degreees off. Figured I could pull it and build a housing right in the dash for the gps like I see on the newer boats. Any opinions, info, ideas?

It is not a legal requirement to have one, and I have seen a lot of boats where people have done this.

I would never operate offshore without a compass, or a backup means of navigation (handheld GPS, etc.) Failure rates on electronics are extremely low, but I would not put all my eggs in one basket if I was on a long trip in open water, or at night.

Dumbest idea ever to do offshore. If the GPS goes down, your screwed.

if you are cleaning up the dash i dont see it as a bad idea to move the compass just make sure you have a backup onboard. I have a Top Gun in the shop that i am doing that very same thing on. Make sure its a GOOD backup compass and not some handheld toy.

I did exactly that on my 382. Removed the dash compass and made a plate out of starboard to mount the GPS to. When I later re-configured the dash I put the GPS in the dash and re-installed the compass.

I'd post pics but my membership expired.......I've posted them before in here somewhere though.

A diesel boat i had (single 3208 in a Blackfin)got caught in a electrical storm out there and everything failed except the mechanical guages and the compass,it made it back BTW.

othing wrong with a good handheld compass as a backup. If your navigating by GPS and it goes down, your compass is only going to get you in the general direction of "home" if you know which way that is.

That is my only holdup, not having a compass if you are out of sight of land and the gps goes out. Maybe I can find a smaller one to mount somewhere else.

Before...

After...

This was on my old 31 Cig.