magnetic variation

[mfandml]

I'm a newbie and I need some help. I understand that the magnetic variation in the Abacos is 8 degrees west. In the Dodge book headings are listed with an M following the degrees. I assume this means magnetic. Does this mean I need to subtract 8 from what my compass reads and navigate to that new heading to obtain the course listed in the book?

[lucy]

whats a compass ?????

[kr4ah]

In the Dodge book headings are listed with an M following the degrees. I assume this means magnetic. Does this mean I need to subtract 8 from what my compass reads and navigate to that new heading to obtain the course listed in the book?
Your compass is a magnetic compass, so to follow courses
and read bearings listed as M all you need to do is read the
compass directly.

However, there are some issues that you need to be aware
of. The compass is also subject to deviation which is a
mariner's term for the effect of the local magnetic field of the
boat and it's environment. Such things as magnets, metal,
electrical fields and the like can effect the compass quite a
bit. Keep these things as far away from the compass as
practical. That is, don't put a "boom box" next to the compass,
for instance.

As has been said many times on this board, navgate with
your eyes and use information from any other tools as
additional input. Another tip for using a compass is to
steer to the horizon, using the compass as a check for
direction. Kinda like using a driving down the highway and
checking the speedometer occasionally for speed.

I hope this helps. . .

--

Bud

[marc]

correcting for deviation this is the rule. east is least,west is best. for east deviation subtract. for west deviation add.
marc