moonrock w when installing this compass in the Oceanic SWIV console what direction is the red line supposed to face ?
ROLLAND F The red line is your luber line or direction of travel. I would suggest you hold your consol in the natural position that you would use it and position the line ti be straight ahead for you. This keeps the line of travel in your natural forward position and should provide you with better use.
MICHAEL N The compass should be set so that the red line goes along the long axis of the SWIV module or in line with the small window that lets you see the numbers of the compass. This red line always points in the direction you are heading. Set the rotating bezel/dial on the heading you want and if you keep the north arrow aligned with the north on the bezel you will be on that course.
Basically it is set parallel to the direction you are pointing when using the compass.
JEFF K I installed mine perpendicular to the console. When I am holding it in my hand and navigating I am following the red line.
JAMES M That's your lubber line, when you're using the compass, you want it to be parallel to the direction you're moving. So, for some folks, it may align straight up and down in the mount and for some it could be turned slightly, it all depends on how you physically hold the compass when you're using it for navigating.
KENNETH D W I put mine facing straight in front of me (direction of travel) and compass can tell me if I stray away from that path stay on the correct heading.
CLIFFORD H The line should be oriented front to back.
NICHOLAS U lubber's line
n : a fixed line on a ship's compass indicating its heading
The edge has a red line you can look through, face that towards you, and the top line along your heading direction.
ED S That's the "lubber line". The compass should be installed with it in line with the long axis of the console. A compass installed on a ship will have the lubber line pointing toward the bow. It's just a quick reference to tell you what is straight ahead when you are using the console to navigate.