The Parts of a Digital Compass System

You are looking for a compass for your boat and are thinking about a digital compass.

You can get a digital compass that is a self-contained, one piece unit, or a compass that has a flux gate unit with remote displays.  A self-contained unit is simply mounted where you need it. The location should be a magnetically clean area. Most of these can be wired in to your navigation system giving an integrated system. 

The other type is a system that has the Flux gate sensor unit mounted in the boat in a magnetically clean area so it has as little interference as possible, from electrical wiring, motors, and such.  The flux gate sensor itself is gimbaled so the reading coils in it can stay as horizontal as possible and can give the most accurate reading. Cables run from the Flux gate unit to remote displays and to the navigation system interface. So with these systems you have the flux-gate sensor, cables, and displays. There are units that are wireless so there are no cables with these systems.

The biggest advantage to a digital compass over a magnetic compass is that they can be interfaced in to a navigation system. With a Magnetic compass you have to read the direction and manually enter it in to your Navigation system. 

The Digital Compass Systems are easy to install. For the most part you just mount the parts and plug in the cables.  Below is a picture of the KVH 103 digital compass system and it shows the basic components of a flux-gate compass system.

Sailcomp 103AC Digital Compass/Nav Repeater Features

KVH Industries, Inc.

50 Enterprise Center • Middletown, RI 02842 • U.S.A.

Phone: +1 401 847-3327 • Fax: +1 401 849-0045_

E-mail: info@kvh.com

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The round can like object is the sensor or flux-gate. Then there is the digital display on the left and a Junction box / control box on the right. Cables connect the three. The parts just plug together making it easy to install.

Why is it Called Foul Weather

The Foul Weather Story

These are useful tips when boating off shore.

Sailors on the Grand Banks would take birds with them when fishing just in case bad weather suddenly closed in. To determine where the closest land was they would release a bird and then head in the same direction the bird did. That is why it was called Foul Weather. 8-)  Because the birds can lead you to land.

Sea birds can also give you an idea how close to land you are. Terns go no more than 40 miles from land. Three of more gulls tell you that you are within 50 miles of land. Black skimmers stay within 25 miles from shore.

Enjoy these foul tips.

Cast Netting for Women

Cast Netting for Women 

I wish I could use a cast net, but I cannot or have not mastered the technique of using the cast net. A friend of mine who is usually quiet and an introvert can throw one beautifully. 

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I will call my friend Joe Cool. If he has a few beers on board he his personality changes and he becomes Joe Cool. We both had a few beers on board and we found two young ladies trying to throw a cast net off the dock. They were doing a better job at it than I could do and I was enjoying watching them. 

Joe Cool walked up and started talking to the ladies and started giving suggestions to improve their technique. Things were going OK and everyone was enjoying themselves. Then Joe Cool said he would demonstrate his throwing technique.

He took the cast net, explained everything he did as he did it, how to hold the net, and how swing so the net would open. Then he demonstrated. It was a beautiful picture perfect throw. It went out, opened, and dropped beautifully in to the water. The net and the line you pull the net back with all sank nicely in to the water.

Whoops was more than just an understatement. The words that came out of the two women changed my mind that they were ladies. “Joe Cool” and I had to pool our money to buy a new net for the women. And after all that we were both broke and we did not catch “ladies” either.  We called it the casting for women adventure. 8-) 

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I do not think Joe has ever forgotten to secure the pull in line since then.

Fish-finder Displays Views

Fish-finder Displays

Some of the fish finders give you a choice of the down scan image that is below your boat.  The down scan image gives you what depth and the topography of the bottom. It will let you see things sticking up from the bottom. Fish images show up as an actual size in relation to tree branches and other objects.

The 2D image display that you can view of the down scan is not as sharp but it lets you see the fish better in relation to objects. The fish images are enhanced and they are not actual size, but they stand out better.

If you are using the finder for depth navigation the first display is better, for fishing the 2D has an advantage to see where they are.

If you have a side scan unit, the side scan lets you know how far away from the boat objects are. The depth of things is not easily determined on this scan view.

If you have a unit that has all three displays, you can get an accurate view of the water around you. An now you can get 360 degree imaging from the Humminbird 360 degree imaging systems. With this you can see where fish are hiding. It is almost unfair to the fish.

Fishing reel Backlash Prevention Trick

Fishing reel Backlash

I was told by two Arkansas fisherman that is not hard to set the reel tension so you do not get backlash. The easiest way they said was first put the lure on that you want to use. Then hold the rod horizontals and adjust the reel cast control so the lure will fall smoothly but the real stops spinning when the lure hits the floor. One of the guys said it was a trick that Denny Brauer uses. 

I had no idea who Denny Brauer was, but they talked about him like he was the “super expert”, so I just acted if I knew who he was. I looked him up on line and he turned out to be a seventeen-time time B.A.S.S. winner and an Elite Series Pro. I think that would make him a super expert. 8-)

Another suggestion one of these two guys gave me when he popped the top of what I think was his 5^th beer, was I should throw-a-way that cheap aXX real and buy a good one. He is probably right but I like my old reel.

Headache Remedies

Try These Headache Remedies

I wish I was one of the 10% of the people that do not get headaches. I am not, and I have had bad headaches all my life. Remedies for headaches are very individualistic and what works for one person may not work for another.  

The two most common types of headaches are vascular and tension. The doctors say that tension headaches are the most common. A hot water bottle or heating pad applied at the first sign of a headache can help tightened muscles relax. Tight neck muscles and forehead relax with the heat.

Yoga exercises that help stretch and relax your neck and shoulder muscles often helps prevent tension type headaches.

Over the counter analgesics work for some people, like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and caffeine can all help.

Vascular headaches like migraines and some types of cluster headaches respond to ice packs or cold packs. The cold works by constricting swollen blood vessels. Swollen arteries in the head cause the headache.

Heat to your hands and feet can pull blood to these areas and often reduces the headache.

I use a combination of these when I get a bad headache. If I try some of these things at the first hint of a headache it will stop a full blown, dark room, no sound head cruncher where I have to totally shut down and shut the world out. 

If you fill an old cotton sock with dry whole rice and microwave it for about 30 seconds, you can have a great heat pack. It is fast, cheap, simple and reusable. It can easily mold to where you want the heat. (Use a clean sock…8-) for best results.)  

Flowers and Food on Your Boat.

Edible Gardening // flowers and food on your boat.

Gardening on a boat is challenging, and what to grow can be a hard choice. If the plants are both decorative and edible make them high on my list. Space is always a consideration on your boat.

Nasturtiums are both very colorful and edible. Both the leaves and the flowers have a spicy flavor. They are easy to grow and if you keep them well watered they will be less spicy. With variegated leaves and with white, yellow and red flowers they can add a lot of color. (Both on the boat and in the food)

Johhny Jump ups (Viola tricolor) are also pretty and edible. They have a sweet mild flavor. They are nice in salads, desserts and teas.  

Chamomile is also easy to grow, is somewhat apple like and you can make a great tea by steeping the flowers in boiling water.

NOT ALL FLOWERS are edible. Some are toxic and some are poisonous. Always check first that the flower is edible before you try it. If not sure do not eat it.