Best Boat Compasses of 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Boat compasses are essential navigation tools for any boater. They provide accurate readings of a vessel's heading, allowing the captain to plot a course and stay on track. These compasses come in a variety of styles and sizes, from traditional magnetic compasses to modern electronic ones. They can be mounted on a boat's dashboard or bulkhead, and some are even designed to be portable. Reliable and durable, boat compasses are a must-have for any boater looking to safely navigate the open waters.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Boat Compasses
Ritchie Navigation Explorer Compass with 2.75-inch Dial
The Ritchie Explorer Compass is an essential tool for boating enthusiasts. Its 2 3/4-inch easy-to-read direct reading dial ensures you can quickly and accurately determine your direction on the water. Weighing only 0.85 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to handle, making it ideal for any boating adventure. Included components, such as the owner's documentation, provide you with all the necessary information to make the most of your compass. This compass is designed to enhance your navigation experience, giving you peace of mind as you explore.
Ritchie F-50 Flush Mount Navigation Compass
The Ritchie F-50 Compass features a 2-3/4" Direct-Read dial, allowing for quick and easy navigation while boating. With its exclusive built-in green Intevac lighting, you can read the compass clearly even in low-light conditions. The built-in compensators help you adjust for any deviation, ensuring accurate readings. Additionally, the scientifically matched Sapphire Jewel and Hardened Steel Pivot dial movement provides smooth and reliable operation, making your boating experience more enjoyable and stress-free.
Ritchie Navigation X-10W-M Sport Marine Compass
The Ritchie X-10W-M Compass is a reliable marine navigation tool, proudly made in the United States. With a compact package height of 3.5 inches, it is easy to install in various locations on your boat. Its length and width of 5 inches and 3.5 inches respectively ensure that it won’t take up too much space, making it convenient for your boating adventures. This durable compass is essential for navigating waters safely, giving you the confidence you need to explore.
Plastimo Contest 101 Bulkhead Compass for Boats
The Contest 101 Bulkhead Compass is ideal for powerboats and sailboats ranging from 26 to 40 feet. Its versatile design allows for easy mounting in bulkheads of any thickness, ensuring you can read it from both the cockpit and the cabin. The illuminated, double-gradated 4-inch apparent card provides clear visibility at night, enhancing your navigation capabilities. Additionally, the watertight assembly includes a clinometer, making it a reliable choice for all boating conditions.
Ritchie F-50W Explorer Flush Mount Compass
The Ritchie F-50W Compass features a 2-3/4" Direct-Read dial, making it easy for you to take quick and accurate readings while navigating. Its exclusive built-in green NiteVu lighting ensures that you can read the compass even in low-light conditions, adding to your convenience at dusk or dawn. The compass also includes built-in compensators, allowing you to easily adjust for any deviation, which helps ensure more precise navigation. Moreover, its scientifically matched Sapphire Jewel and Hardened Steel Pivot dial movement guarantees smooth operation and durability, providing you with a reliable tool for your boating adventures.
Ritchie Navigation 2.75" Surface Mount Compass
The Ritchie Navigation Compass is designed for optimal performance on the water. Its powerful DirectiveForce magnets ensure a fast heading lock-on, allowing you to navigate with confidence. The movable sun shield offers protection against glare, enhancing visibility during bright conditions. Made from high-temperature composite materials, this compass is built for an extended operating range, ensuring reliability in various environments. Its compact low-profile design means it won't take up much space, making it ideal for any boat.
Shoreline Marine Boat Electronics Compasses
The Shoreline Marine Compasses are essential tools for navigating on the water. Designed specifically for boating, these compasses provide accurate directional guidance, ensuring you can find your way even in unfamiliar waters. Their robust construction means you can rely on them under various conditions, offering peace of mind during your adventures. Additionally, their clear display makes it easy to read your heading at a glance, enhancing your overall boating experience.
Ritchie F-50-1 Explorer Compass with NiteVu
The Ritchie F-50-1 Compass is an essential tool for any boating enthusiast. Its 2-3/4" direct-read dial ensures you can easily read your heading at a glance, which is crucial when navigating open waters. The exclusive built-in green NiteVu lighting allows you to read the compass in low-light conditions, enhancing your visibility during night-time outings. Additionally, the built-in compensators make it simple to adjust for deviation, ensuring accurate readings. The scientifically matched sapphire jewel and hardened steel pivot dial movement provide smooth operation, giving you confidence in your navigation efforts.
Weems & Plath Nautical Slide Rule for Navigation
The Weems & Plath Slide Rule is a reliable tool for solving common speed, time, and distance problems quickly. It enables you to calculate distances in yards when you factor in speed measured in knots, ensuring you have the information you need at your fingertips. The device is designed for ease of use, making it accessible even for those new to navigation. This user-friendly calculator simplifies complex calculations, allowing you to focus more on your journey and less on the maths involved.
Nautical Oil Lamp Compass by Antique Vibes
The Antique Vibes Compass is a remarkable navigational tool that utilises the Earth's magnetic field to help you confidently find your way in unfamiliar areas. It features a fully functional oil lamp, allowing you to illuminate the compass during nighttime adventures. With a ground diameter of 8 inches and a height of 7 inches, this classic instrument combines polished brass and glass for an elegant finish. Whether you're a vintage enthusiast or a marine collector, this compass makes the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates nautical history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the compass on a boat called?
A binnacle is a waist-high case or stand on the deck of a ship, generally mounted in front of the helmsman, in which navigational instruments are placed for easy and quick reference as well as to protect the delicate instruments.
2. Do boats use compasses?
Every boat needs a magnetic compass. It is still the most reliable means of navigation. It is also the most convenient for long-distance navigation. GPS and chartplotting navigation are becoming the norm for premium yachts, but these systems can fail.
3. What is a marine compass?
Card Compass (Marine Compass) It is finely balanced on a needle point, floating and able to swing around to align with magnetic north. The reading is taken from the fixed lubber line on the body of the compass. The lubber line is pointed in the direction of the head of the vessel for steering on a given bearing.
4. Where should a boat compass be mounted away from?
You must apply a correction to determine the direction of true north. The ability to steer a pleasure craft by a compass is useful if land is out of sight, visibility is reduced, or the pleasure craft operator is disoriented. Mount a compass away from iron, magnets, and electrical wiring and equipment.
During our boat compass research, we found 39 boat compass products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,822 customer reviews through our big data system to write the boat compasses list. We found that most customers choose boat compasses with an average price of £71.78.
The boat compasses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of boat compasses, including Ritchie, Nautos, Ritchie Navigation, Shoreline Marine, Weems & Plath.

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.