Navigation triangles are a specialized subcategory of navigation accessories. Here you’ll find course and mooring triangles for traditional chart work—ideal for boat license training (e.g., SBF See), exam preparation, and practical onboard use in recreational and commercial boating. Navigation triangles help plot courses, transfer bearings, determine position, and ensure precise work on paper nautical charts.
Our selection (subject to availability) includes brands such as L’Ocean and Ecobra. Brand names remain unchanged—important for consistent scales, material quality, and familiar handling in both training and practice.
Choose the size and model that best suits your chart format, working style, and application: On the chart table, flatness and readability are key; while underway on board, sturdy edges and a stable surface are important. This helps you avoid measurement errors and work faster—especially with training charts, exam tasks, and in everyday navigation.
Examples from the range: Ecobra large protractor 32 cm; Ecobra small protractor 25 cm; Ecobra large course triangle 32 cm; Ecobra small course triangle 25 cm.
For training and exam preparation, a pair of triangles (e.g., two course triangles or a course and approach triangle) plus a compass is usually sufficient. With these, you can plot courses, shift lines parallel to each other, and construct positions accurately. For onboard use, sturdy triangles with a clearly legible scale and stable edges are particularly practical.
25 cm is compact, easy to store, and ideal for training folders, small chart tables, or on the go. 32 cm offers more contact surface, often lies more securely on the chart, and can be more comfortable for plotting or parallel shifting—especially with larger nautical charts and during extended work sessions.
Both are triangles with degree scales, but differ in shape and scale layout depending on the model. Course triangles are designed for plotting and transferring courses and bearings; drawing triangles are frequently used for neatly drawing, tracing, and transferring lines. In practice, many sailors work with a pair of triangles because they allow lines to be shifted parallel quickly and cleanly.
Look for clearly printed scales, clean edges, a surface that isn’t too slippery, and a triangle shape that lies flat. The less the triangle “wobbles” or slips, the more precise course and position constructions will be. For night or low-light situations, high-contrast scales and clean line markings are helpful.
With triangles, it’s not about connections, but about working compatibility: a size that fits your map format and folder, scales (degrees) that are easy to read, and ideally a set that matches your compass and your working style. If you use specific models during training, it makes sense to stick with the same logic/scale for exams and onboard use.
Remove salt/dirt with a soft, slightly damp cloth and then store them in a dry place—preferably in a folder or pouch so the edges aren’t damaged. Avoid intense heat (warping) and heavy objects on top of them. This keeps the scales easy to read and the edges precise.
Common mistakes include the triangles slipping during surveying, misreading the scale, or working on an uneven surface. Use a smooth surface, secure the map if necessary, and quickly check that the zero/degree orientation is correct before drawing lines. A pair of triangles helps to align courses neatly without having to slide them back and forth.