How To Swing Your Boat's Compass

On Course

Do you know how to swing a compass on a boat? Most boaters don't, because we've become so accustomed to navigating via our chart plotters and GPS that a compass these days almost seems like an afterthought. But much as we modern mariners love our electronic navigational gear, we all know darn well that one day it might not work. Software glitches, electric gremlins and hardware mishaps all happen on boats. And when they happen to your vessel's electronics, unless you have a lot of familiar landmarks within sight, you'd better know how to use that compass. Just as importantly, you'd better know how to swing a compass on a boat so you know it will give you an accurate reading when you need it most.

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Where Legacy Meets Innovation in Yacht Propulsion

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Boats Seeking Homes

Buying a yacht is a big commitment, especially your first one, and with the used-yacht market shifting to a buyer's market now is a good time to start scouting your options. We review these 10 ready-to-run used yachts, ranging from express cruisers to sportfisherman to motoryachts, all asking $500K or less.

Sponsored by Azimut Yachts

Discover the Azimut Fly 68

Transformability, multifunctionality, contemporary appeal: that's the Fly 68 formula. With its openly informal attitude and clever design choices, the Fly 68 is an ode to lifestyle uniqueness.

Life Saver

In June 2022, I helped some friends deliver a high-performance sailboat from Ketchikan, Alaska, to Seattle. Our crew was experienced, so we opted to sail west of Vancouver Island. Those waters are frigid, and the shorelines are desolate, so I carried two personal locator beacons. The first PLB, an Ocean Signal MOB1, was rigged inside my Spinlock Deckvest 6D life jacket, ready to self-activate and transmit my position via the automatic identification system if the jacket inflated. The second PLB, a McMurdo FastFind 220, resided in a case on my jacket. Today, ACR's ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon is the type of safety upgrade every boater needs.

Charter Clients, Start Your Engines

Edmiston has released a list of yachts that are still accepting inquiries for charter at the Monaco Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place May 23-26. An important part of many charters at this event is the ability to host viewing and other parties for spectators on board. As such, charter clients should expect to incur additional costs beyond typical weekly base rates and expenses. Some yachts require a security deposit, for instance, or additional temporary crew to be brought on board to help with catering and service.

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