Here’s to the humble magnetic compass, without a doubt the sailor’s most reliable instrument onboard. It’s always there for you and with the rarest of exceptions, always operational.
Yes, I love my chartplotter, autopilot, radar and AIS. They help me be a safer and more competent navigator. However, they rely on electricity and geostationary satellites—which don’t always work. These modern electronics are also so accurate and easy to use that some sailors neglect to ever learn how to properly