6 Best Waterproof Compasses for Small Yachts That Support Self-Reliance
For self-reliant sailors, a dependable compass is essential. We review the 6 best waterproof models for small yachts—your key to reliable, power-free navigation.
Your chartplotter screen flickers and dies, ten miles offshore. The backup handheld GPS won’t get a satellite lock. In that moment, the simple, liquid-filled dome of a magnetic compass becomes the most critical piece of equipment on your small yacht. For the self-sufficient sailor, a reliable compass isn’t a nostalgic accessory; it’s the foundation of safe, independent navigation. Choosing the right one—and knowing how to use it—is a non-negotiable skill that separates boaters from true mariners.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Essential Compasses for Self-Sufficient Sailors
On a small boat, self-reliance is built on redundancy. This is especially true for navigation, which is why you need more than one compass. A single, all-purpose compass is a single point of failure.
The ideal setup for a small yacht includes at least two types. First is your primary steering compass, mounted permanently at the helm, whether on a bulkhead or a pedestal binnacle. This is your constant guide for holding a course. Second is a high-quality handbearing compass, a portable tool used for taking bearings on landmarks to fix your position.
Many sailors overlook the importance of the handbearing compass, thinking the main one is enough. But trying to accurately sight a distant lighthouse over your binnacle while the boat pitches is an exercise in frustration. The right tool for the right job is the core of self-sufficiency. Look for models that are fully waterproof, have clear, easily-read cards with 5-degree markings or better, and are built to withstand the harsh marine environment.
Plastimo Iris 50: The Ultimate Handbearing Tool
The Plastimo Iris 50 is the Swiss Army knife of handbearing compasses. It’s tough, it floats, and it’s brilliantly designed for real-world use on a small, moving boat. This isn’t a delicate instrument; it’s a tool meant to be used, dropped, and trusted.
Its genius lies in its dual-reading system. You can look down on it like a traditional compass or hold it up to your eye and read the precise bearing through a prismatic lens. This makes it incredibly versatile for everything from a quick directional check to shooting a three-point fix. The rubberized housing protects it from bumps, and its photoluminescent dial glows softly after being exposed to light, a critical feature for night navigation.
Think of it this way: you’re entering an unfamiliar anchorage after sunset. With the Iris 50, you can quickly take bearings on the navigation lights marking the channel, confirming you’re on the right track without fumbling with electronics. It’s the one compass that should be in every sailor’s ditch bag and at every nav station.
Ritchie Voyager RU-90: A Dependable Bulkhead Guide
For tiller-steered sailboats, cockpit space is at a premium. The Ritchie Voyager RU-90 is a masterclass in functional, space-saving design. It mounts flush on a vertical bulkhead, keeping it out of the way of swinging tillers and stray lines while remaining perfectly in the helmsman’s line of sight.
This isn’t a flashy compass, and that’s its strength. It features a clear, stable 3-inch dial that’s easy to read in choppy seas. It also includes built-in compensators—small, adjustable magnets—that allow you to correct for the magnetic interference (deviation) caused by your boat’s own equipment. This is a crucial feature for ensuring accuracy.
The Voyager is a workhorse. It’s built with a hardened steel pivot and sapphire jewel movement for decades of reliable service. For the sailor who values rugged simplicity and a clean cockpit layout, the RU-90 is a steadfast and dependable choice for a primary steering compass.
Suunto KB-14: Unmatched Precision for Coastal Fixes
While the Iris 50 is the all-around champion, the Suunto KB-14 is the specialist for when precision is paramount. This is less of a general-purpose tool and more of a scientific instrument. It’s the compass you reach for when you need to be absolutely certain of your position while navigating a challenging channel or clearing a dangerous reef.
The KB-14’s all-metal housing is built for professional use, and its optics allow for readings accurate to within 1/3 of a degree. The liquid-damped card settles almost instantly, giving you a rock-steady bearing even when the boat is rolling. It provides the confidence needed for high-stakes coastal piloting.
The tradeoffs? It’s more expensive than other handbearing compasses and it doesn’t float. This isn’t the compass you hand to a novice guest. But for the serious navigator charting a course through the San Juan Islands or the rocky coast of Maine, the Suunto KB-14 offers a level of precision that no other handbearing compass can match.
Plastimo Contest 101: The Sailboat Standard
If there is a "standard" compass for production sailboats under 35 feet, the Plastimo Contest 101 is it. Its popularity is well-earned, stemming from a brilliant design that solves a common problem on small boats: readability from multiple angles.
The Contest 101’s conical card and dual-reading display allow it to be read clearly from the helm, the side of the cockpit, and even from down below in the cabin. This versatility is invaluable. The helmsman can steer a course, while another crew member can double-check the heading from the companionway without getting in the way.
It features a large, exceptionally stable card that remains legible even when heeled over. It comes with a protective cover to prevent sun damage and is available in multiple card colors and mounting configurations. For sailors seeking a proven, reliable, and incredibly versatile bulkhead compass, the Contest 101 is the benchmark.
Ritchie Helmsman HF-743: For Pedestal Steering
As soon as you move to a wheel-steered boat, the compass requirements change. The Ritchie Helmsman HF-743 is purpose-built for this application, designed to be mounted on the binnacle directly in front of the helm. Its large, 4.5-inch PowerDamp dial is easy to read at a glance, a critical feature when you’re managing sails and steering through waves.
The Helmsman series is known for its superior damping, which prevents the card from oscillating wildly in rough seas. Like other high-quality steering compasses, it includes built-in compensators to tune its accuracy to your specific vessel. It also features 45-degree lubber lines, which are secondary reference marks that help you see course deviations quickly.
Don’t try to make a bulkhead compass work on a pedestal. It will be hard to read and prone to parallax error. The HF-743 is the right tool for the job, providing the clear, stable heading information you need to confidently steer your boat from behind the wheel.
Danforth Corsair IV: A Classic Binnacle Compass
For some sailors, aesthetics matter as much as function. The Danforth Corsair IV delivers both in spades. With its polished chrome or brass binnacle and classic domed look, it evokes the golden age of sailing while housing thoroughly modern and reliable technology.
Beneath that handsome exterior lies a large 5-inch dial with powerful DirectiveForce magnets that lock onto north quickly and stay there. The Corsair is known for its excellent damping and stability, making it a serious navigational instrument, not just a pretty accessory. It’s a statement piece that says you appreciate tradition and quality.
Choosing the Corsair IV is about more than just finding your heading. It’s about investing in a piece of equipment that enhances the character of your boat. It’s for the sailor restoring a classic yacht or anyone who believes that essential gear can, and should, be beautiful.
Compass Care: Ensuring Long-Term Accuracy at Sea
A compass is not a set-it-and-forget-it device. To remain a trustworthy tool for self-reliance, it requires occasional attention. Your life may depend on its accuracy, so a little preventative maintenance goes a long way.
First, regularly check for bubbles. A small bubble may appear in cold weather and is usually not a problem, but a large, persistent bubble indicates a failing seal and fluid loss, which will impair damping. Second, and most importantly, you must account for deviation. Never assume your compass is accurate out of the box. After installation, and anytime you add new electronics or metal gear near the helm, you need to "swing the compass" to check its accuracy on different headings and create a deviation card to correct for any errors.
Finally, basic care is essential. Use the included cover to protect the dome from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause crazing and fogging over time. Keep the dome clean with fresh water and a soft cloth—never use harsh chemicals. A well-maintained compass will serve you reliably for the life of your boat.
Ultimately, the best compass is one that fits your boat, your style of sailing, and your commitment to self-sufficiency. These analog tools don’t need power, they don’t need satellites, and they won’t fail you in a storm. By choosing a quality compass and learning to trust it, you are investing in the most fundamental skill of seamanship: knowing, with certainty, which way you are headed.
