Compasses/Charts

Explore professional marine compasses and nautical charts at Bosun's Locker. Our navigation range includes flush-mount and binnacle compasses from trusted brands like Ritchie, Silva and Autonautic, plus Australian coastal charts covering Queensland and New South Wales waters. From compact bracket-mount compasses for small vessels to Olympic-class sailboat compasses with illuminated cards, we stock navigation equipment built for accuracy and reliability. Whether you're navigating the Gold Coast or planning extended cruises through Brisbane and SE Queensland, we have the navigation tools for safe passage.

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Marine Compasses and Charts: Quality You Can Trust
Bosun's Locker stocks professional marine compasses engineered for precise navigation in Australian waters. Our collection includes flush-mount powerboat compasses in 75mm to 135mm sizes, binnacle-mount sailboat compasses with adjustable correction spheres, bracket-mount options for versatile installation, and vertical bulkhead compasses for optimal viewing angles. Ritchie compasses feature fluid-dampened cards for stable readings in rough seas, while Silva and Autonautic models offer corrosion-resistant housings suited to saltwater environments. Gold Coast sailors and powerboaters trust our range for accurate heading information, with conical and flat card designs providing clear visibility from any helm position.

Comprehensive Range of Navigation Equipment: All Your Needs Covered
We stock Australian nautical charts covering critical coastal areas including Moreton Bay, Whitsunday Islands, Clarence River, Broken Bay and surrounding Queensland and New South Wales waters. Our compass inventory includes the Offshore series for powerboats with white or black housings, Olympic and Contest series for sailboats with red or black illuminated cards, mini-contest compasses for smaller vessels, and chart lights with LED illumination for night navigation. Serving Brisbane and SE Queensland boaters, we carry models suitable for trailer boats through to offshore cruisers. Our website displays detailed specifications including mounting dimensions, card types and compass sizes, making selection straightforward for your vessel's requirements.

Expert Advice and Support: Your Boating Partner
Bosun's Locker provides expert navigation equipment guidance throughout the Tweed Coast and Gold Coast regions. Our experienced team helps you select compasses with correct mounting styles, appropriate card visibility for your helm position, and proper deviation correction capabilities. We offer advice on chart selection for your cruising area, compass installation techniques and magnetic interference minimisation. Whether you need a replacement compass for an existing binnacle or a complete navigation upgrade, we supply quality equipment backed by technical support. Contact us today to discuss your navigation requirements and ensure accurate course-keeping for safe coastal and offshore passages.

- Questions

What's the difference between flush-mount and binnacle-mount compasses?

Flush-mount compasses install directly into the helm console or deck surface, ideal for modern powerboat dashboards. Binnacle-mount compasses sit on pedestal bases with built-in compensating magnets for deviation correction, preferred by sailors needing precise adjustments. Gold Coast powerboaters typically choose flush-mount for clean installations, while cruising sailors select binnacle-mount for superior adjustment capabilities.

How do I choose the correct compass size for my boat?

Select compass size based on viewing distance and vessel type. Small boats under 6 metres suit 55-75mm compasses, mid-sized vessels 6-10 metres use 95-105mm models, and larger craft over 10 metres need 115-135mm compasses for adequate visibility. Brisbane sailors should consider larger compasses for offshore passages where clear heading information is critical in varying light conditions.

Are Australian nautical charts regularly updated at Bosun's Locker?

We stock current edition Australian charts covering Queensland and New South Wales coastal waters. Charts include critical navigation information for safe passage through local waterways including depth soundings, navigation marks and harbour approaches. Tweed Coast and Gold Coast boaters should verify chart editions match their cruising area and supplement with current GPS chartplotters for comprehensive navigation coverage.

Can compass deviation be corrected after installation?

Yes, magnetic deviation can be corrected using built-in compensating magnets on quality marine compasses or external correction magnets. Professional compass adjustment involves swinging the vessel through known headings and adjusting compensators to minimise deviation. Our Gold Coast team can recommend qualified compass adjusters or provide guidance for DIY correction on simpler installations using deviation cards.