In Our Tech World, Do You Still Need a Compass on a Boat?

If you’re a boating enthusiast, you’re probably well-versed in the importance of having a compass on board. After all, a compass is an essential tool for navigation, and without it, you could find yourself in some serious trouble out on the open water. But what if we told you that there’s now a piece of technology that can do the same job as a compass — and in some cases, do it even better? Here’s a look at how GPS and other sophisticated navigational tools have made the compass obsolete on boats.

GPS: THE NEW WAY TO NAVIGATE

GPS stands for global positioning system, and it’s a technology that uses a network of satellites to pinpoint your exact location on the planet. While GPS was originally developed for use by the military, it’s now available to civilians in the form of car navigation systems, smartphone apps, and lots more. When it comes to navigation at sea, GPS is quickly becoming the go-to solution for boaters all over the world. 

There are several reasons why GPS is such an attractive option for boaters. First, GPS units are incredibly accurate — they can pinpoint your location within just a few feet, which is far more precise than any compass could ever hope to be. GPS units can also provide you with real-time information about your location, which means you’ll always know exactly where you are and where you’re going — something that can’t be said of a compass. Finally, GPS units allow you to store data about routes and waypoints so that you can easily retrace your steps or find your way back to the port if necessary. 

OTHER NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS 

In addition to GPS units, other navigational tools have largely made the compass obsolete on boats. For example, electronic charts allow you to track your position in real-time and plot new routes with ease. AIS (automatic identification system) transponders can also be used to track vessels in your area and avoid collisions, and RADAR (radio detecting and ranging) can be used to identify land masses and other obstructions in your path — something that would be impossible with a boat compass alone. 

CONCLUSION 

As you can see, technology has come a long way in recent years — and when it comes to navigation at sea, that progress has made the humble compass all but obsolete. So if you’re looking for the most efficient way to get from point A to point B on the open water, ditch the compass and invest in a quality GPS unit instead. Your future self will thank you!