The Hobie Class has always taken a very restrictive stance when it comes to electronics. Electronic compasses are permitted, but speed-measuring devices and any equipment capable of sending or receiving data are not.
Class Rule 16.3
Compasses with brackets or electronic devices that provide timing and heading memory, but which do not transmit, transfer, or receive data are permitted. The use of navigation and speed metering equipment is illegal unless specifically allowed in the individual boat rules or by the Notice of Race for a particular event or regatta.
So what does this mean in practice?
Cell phones are not allowed. Smartwatches—such as an Apple Watch or similar—are also not permitted, as they are capable of sending and receiving data.
A more nuanced question is the use of VHF radios or other communication devices for safety.
In some parts of the world, it has become common for Hobie sailors to carry VHF radios and receive communications from the race committee. However, this is not universal, and some regions do not allow their use. From a safety standpoint, there is a strong argument for carrying a VHF or similar device, even if it is switched off and stowed. In North America, it is now common practice, though not required, and many race committees use radios to keep sailors informed throughout the day.
All of this has been on my mind because my old Raymarine Tacktick Micro Compass has finally given up after about 12 years—the battery no longer holds a charge. That has me looking for a replacement.
There are several class-legal options available today, but the real challenge is finding something that works well on a Hobie. Where do you put it? How do you mount it? No matter where it goes, it always seems to be in the way of something.
It’s impossible to talk about modern sailing electronics without mentioning Vakaros. The system has some compelling features and is gaining traction in other classes. However, its speed-monitoring capability makes it clearly illegal under current Hobie class rules. Features like instant OCS notifications, reduced general recalls, and electronic scoring are appealing, but the price of entry is not trivial—and the mounting challenge still remains. Larger-boat classes are beginning to adopt it, and classes like Snipes and ILCA are experimenting with it. For now, the Hobie class will be watching the trend without taking action.
Back to the practical question: what are the current class-legal compass options?
Here are several worth considering:
- Raymarine Tacktick Micro Compass
https://www.raymarine.com/en-us/our-products/marine-instruments/racing-instruments/t060-micro-compass - Nautalytics ILCA Deck Mount Compass (Nautalytics)
https://www.nautalytics.com - Sailteck Race Compass (Sailteck)
https://www.sailteck.com/en/ - Velocitek Prism Racing Compass (Velocitek)
https://www.velocitek.com
The Velocitek and Tacktick units are similar in overall size, function, and layout. The Sailteck compass offers a larger display that is very easy to read, but it may be physically too large for comfortable use on a Hobie. The Nautalytics unit is notably thin, slightly taller than the others, and has a particularly clean, readable display.
Pricing is generally comparable across all of these options, although mounting brackets can add to the total cost. At the moment, Nautalytics is on sale, which may make it an especially attractive choice.
As always, the “right” answer depends on your setup and preferences—but within the constraints of the class rules, there are still some solid options available.
