ICYRA Sailing and Yachts

A boater in a navigation aisle is like a kid in the candy store. Navigation tools have come a long way from the early days of the compass, and the range of capabilities can be tempting. But there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to equipping your boat. All those extras can end up sacrificing the usefulness and efficiency of your navigation tools—and you want them to work reliably when you need them to. Most experts agree that you only need three navigation tools to get by: a good compass, a depth finder, and a VHF radio.

They say if you buy only one thing for your boat, it should be a compass—when all else fails, you want to at least find your way to land. You’re probably familiar with two types, magnetic and electronic. Many boaters are skeptical of the latter and swear by magnetic pointing, a technology that’s worked for decades. But electronic compasses have improved considerably since their early days, and if you buy from an established manufacturer, there’s really not much of a difference. What you should look for is size and readability: you want something that you can read in any condition. As long as it can be mounted, bigger is usually better when it comes to compasses.

Next, you’ll want a depth finder to help you scope out shallow spots. This will help you avoid getting stuck and damaging your boat, especially in areas where shallow waters can be deceiving. More importantly, it’ll keep you from hitting the seabed and damaging the structures, something that many governments are strict about. Choose one with a wide field of view or at least two field of view settings. Many GPS units have depth finders built in, so this can be a good investment if you’re often sailing in unfamiliar waters—just make sure no efficiency is sacrificed for the convenience.

You’ll also need a good, clear VHF radio for communicating with other boats and calling for help when you need it. Today’s cell phones can do the job just fine, but a radio is your backup for when there are no cell towers in range. VHF signals are monitored by the Coast Guard, unlike cell phone signals, so it’s a great security tool. You can increase your signal by installing an antenna on-board. You can choose between a mounted or a hand-held unit—the latter is often seen in older models, but they will work just fine for most situations.

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