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On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:01:02 -0500, Jeff Morris
wrote: Sailors in 1975 were much better navigators than today. ======================================== That's probably a true statement as far as it goes. We had to be "better" navigators in terms of skill breadth and techniques. It was a matter of survival. To some that was all part of the challenge and fun, to others it was just something that had to be done so that you got where you were going. Reality is however, that many of those skills are doomed to obsolesence except among those who keep them alive as a hobby, just like knowing how to shoe your own horse or brew your own beer. Is that a bad thing? Perhaps, but there is a good side also. It is REALLY nice to know where you are at all times, and if practiced prudently, is a lot safer also. Sailing in the 70s was not always experienced navigators skillfully finding their way no matter what. I still remember calls to the Coast Guard from those lost in the fog asking for a RDF bearing to their boat. The USCG actually offered that service in the early 70s believe it or not, and could sometimes provide an approximate two bearing fix. The one thing they would not do was provide directions for obvious liability reasons. They would come out and try to find you however if it looked like you were in danger as a result of being lost, and it was not uncommon. Every person I know from that era, regardless of skills, quickly jumped on the latest technology breakthrough as soon as it became available at a reasonable price. |
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