compass

[andyscholes]

Hi,
I have a 3" Danford compass fitted to my 2400scr 2008 which is way out, can I either get it calibrated? or do it myself? or do I need to buy a new one and if so will I need to calibrate the new one.
when I point it N it shows SW.
when I go near the screws on the side the screwdriver send sit in to a spin.

Ideas please
thanks Andy

[shrew]

If you completely remove the compass and take it away from the boat and any magnetic interference, does it still behave this way?

I use the compass to help hold course at night and in the fog. It's a critical piece of navigation equipment for me. A few degrees is one thing, we're not making 1,000 NM passages trying to hit a small island. However, that is WAY out. I don't know if the calibration settings were designed for that much correction in mind.

[jimq26]

I have never heard of a Danford compass. Suggest you may mean a Danforth (brand name) compass.
Of course it will veer off whenever you bring a metal screwdriver or metal whatever near it.
It probably points north but reads the opposite on the lower part of the dial which is quite common for a boat (sailing or power) vessel compass.