On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:42:12 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Three questions:

1. Do you carry a bearing compass?

I do but rarely use it. The radar and/or chart plotter give me more
accurate answers in a few seconds.

2. Whether you carry one or not, do you know why anybody would want
to?

I used to use one all the time 30 years ago.


3. Do you have any charts aboard, or are you running depending
strictly on an uninterrupted supply of DC power and counting on 100%
reliability from your electronics for navigation information?

I carry a few chart books but rarely use them. The only exception is
the book of strip charts for the Atlantic ICW. Mrs B uses them to
follow along when we are underway.

Reliable power is not an issue for us given twin engines, dual
generators, multiple large battery banks, redundant charging systems,
redundant radar and chart plotter, etc. If it were an issue however,
I also have several handheld GPS units and a good supply of batteries.

That said, everyone should know how to navigate the old fashioned way
just to understand the principles and concepts. If you weren't in the
Pacific North Wet I'd also recommend that you study celestial but that
requires a clear view of the sky and horizon.

:-)