>Price, specifications, how to select >There is plenty to gain from wind shifts >You need a compass! Benefits of Ansar compass no:  >2 and 4 The best! >2 with the cupola upwards. >1 >3 Set up and read: >Ansar 4. Simplest! >Ansar 2 >Automatic compensation for tacking angle, Ansar 4  >A comparison with electronic compasses >How to pay, prepayment only! >Warranty. >How to mount the compass >Background of compasses >The modification takes time >Compass manufacturer Silva's site >Small scale local distributors wanted! >Back to the compass home page   Email with comments, suggestions, questions or just to say hello. Note line below! Postal address & Telephone number. Modified July 2001. Counter: . My home page magazine articles, lectures.  The world's fastest skate sail, 120 km/h (75 MPH) is another of my top performance designs.  Copyright © 1996-2001 Anders Ansar. Permission is granted for reproduction provided that the whole document remains intact.

Ansar 4 compass (Animation) Ansar 2 compass (Animation)   Unbeatable lift/header information at a glance! Look above! The right hand pointer moves sideways when the boat changes course. In these animations (starboard tack) you see the meaning of the pointer positions with respect to the colored markers.   The pointers are mounted on the edge of the compass card, and moves with the card.    The colored markers are  movable and mounted on the outside of the compass.    The Ansar 4 compass is designed to be read within some 20 degrees either side of  the center line of the boat. *    The Ansar 2 compass is designed to be read from the center line of the boat up to some 45 degrees to windward from the center line of the boat. *  *At larger angles the markers you are using may be to far to leeward on the cupola to be good references for the pointer.  Ansar 2 compass. Modified Silva 1000 Here shown like you see it from windward when sailing on port tack. Apparent card diameter 100 mm.   Suited to be read from windward and up to some 45 degrees from the center line of the boat.   Silva models I modify to Ansar 2 and 4:  100P, 103P, 103PE, 1000  125B/H    Some other models can be modified, ask if you have some special requirements.  No figures to read, write, note, calculate or remember - it can't get simpler! Ansar 2 compass with the cupola facing upwards.

Ansar 2 and 4 benefits, many unique, and not found even in electronic compasses Reading the compass Lift or header?  Information at a glance! See animation at left.  You can easily judge the relative size of the lift or header. Unique! Signals if the lift gets better: Pointer goes under yellow marker. May mean that the mean wind direction is changing. Not to be missed actically.Unique!See: Setting up and reading Ansar 2 and Setting up and reading Ansar 4. Easy to Read even at a distance. Large and clear display. Easy to read even in rough seas. Compass card is about twice as well damped against rocking as on the unmodified compass. Initial setting up and readjusting The compass is set up according to the wind shifts and readjusted if necessary while racing simply by moving the markers. No need to take notes or make calculations. Unique! See  Setting up and reading Ansar 2 and Setting up and reading Ansar 4. Miscellaneous You can easily adapt the Ansar 2 and 4 compasses to the tacking angle of your boat.  On the Ansar 2 compass you replace the red marker with one with another length (material supplied with compass). It is made with a length estimated to be suitable for your boat at delivery. On the Ansar 4 compass you change the height of the markers. At delivery they are set to suit your boat.   The Ansar 4 compass has Automatic compensation , in keelboats, for the decrease in angle between tacks as the wind increases from light to moderate. Unique!   Non electronic. Allowed in most racing classes. Does not stop to function because of lack of electrical power or water getting into compass.   Note that the external makers not always end up centralized on the compass cupola, they may be offset by some 30 degrees because of the distance between the pointers on the compass card.             Tactical decisions are easier and you can keep your eyes on the race.