Navigation Parts & Accessories

Why Navigation Parts & Accessories Matter on the Water

A marine compass is the only instrument on your boat that works without electricity, satellites, or software. While modern chartplotters are incredibly accurate, they only show your "Course Over Ground" while moving — a magnetic compass shows your actual heading, which is vital for holding a steady course in fog, darkness, or emergency situations. Navigation parts and accessories — from compass mounts and replacement capsules to illumination kits and protective covers — keep that critical instrument performing reliably trip after trip.

What's in This Category

Navigation parts and accessories encompass everything needed to install, maintain, and upgrade a marine compass setup. Products include replacement parts, adapters, covers, compass lights, electrical resistors, compass tie-downs, and compass pedestals. Whether you're replacing a worn mounting gasket, upgrading to LED night lighting, or adding a protective dome cover to shield the dial from glare and UV exposure, having the right accessory ensures your compass delivers accurate, readable headings year after year.

Correct installation is critical for accurate readings — marine compasses should be mounted away from speakers, wiring bundles, and other metal components that may interfere with magnetic accuracy. Quality mounting hardware and proper accessories make that installation easier and more durable. Routine inspection and occasional calibration help maintain accuracy; after installation, most marine compasses require basic adjustment to account for local magnetic variation, and you should periodically check mounting hardware and illumination wiring to ensure continued reliability.

Key Considerations When Shopping

• Mounting Style Compatibility: There are five basic compass mount types — flush, surface, bulkhead, bracket, and binnacle. Flush-mount compasses are positioned in a cutout; bracket-mount compasses are versatile and easily removable; bulkhead-mount compasses suit smaller sailboats and powerboats. Make sure any accessory or replacement part matches your specific mount type.
• Lighting: Integrated lighting is essential for navigating at night or in low-light conditions. Look for replacement lighting kits that are compatible with your compass model.
• Compensators: Adjustable compensators allow for precise calibration in different magnetic zones, making them an important part of any complete navigation setup.
• Dial Covers & Hoods: Protective hoods shield the compass from glare and weather elements, ensuring optimal visibility.

Featured Brand: Ritchie Navigation

Founded in 1850 by Edward S. Ritchie, Ritchie Navigation has been at the forefront of marine compass technology for over 170 years. Today still privately held by the Sherman Family in Pembroke, MA, Ritchie Navigation continues to be the marine industry leader in the manufacture of recreational and commercial magnetic compasses. Their parts and accessories ecosystem is equally well developed: all Ritchie compasses use a Hardened Steel Pivot and Triple Cup Sapphire Jewel Movement, microscopically matched to provide smooth dial operation and fast lock-on, even under the most severe conditions. Genuine Ritchie replacement parts and accessories ensure that precision is maintained throughout the life of the instrument. Browse the full selection of Ritchie Navigation Parts & Accessories to find what your compass setup needs.