NavList:

Hello Howard,

Thanks for taking the time to add to this topic. 

My backround is with sailboats (and electrical engineering). Actually, I don't really think that compass correction with celestial navigation is practical on a small sailboat. On a sailboat's compass, the precision of the markings is normally 5 degrees. Unless the sea was absolutely calm, it would be difficult to keep the bow pointed directly at the sun, with the compass needle stable for long enough, as to get an accuracy worth of it. What would probably a good use for compass correction would be to find out the declination in the middle of the ocean without a declination chart.

However, compass correction is part of the curriculum for the celestial navigation standard here in Canada. So I had to learn it to get the standard. Yet, I find myself really interested in understanding all the little details about it. It makes me understand the whole concept of celestial navigation. I should say that I like to keep no stone unturned :-) 

I've learned much on this forum! Thanks again!

Francois