NavList:

Well put Peter.  On the flip side one could argue knots and knots are are
two different animals.  One seamanship, the other navigation.

Bill

> Upon reflection, what is striking about this list is that, while
> extensive enough, how narrow the focus is directed. It would seem to
> reflect an assumption that nav is a purely technical exercise. There
> is nothing about tides, ocean currents, prevailing winds, weather
> patterns, knots, rigging, etc. Those with a bent for air or land nav
> would presumably also have a wider field of relevant interests to draw
> upon.
>
> When I look at my shelves there may be less tomes containing basically
> the same information but many more books about history and
> anthropology and map making and boat maintenance and tales of those
> who have sailed the waters in all sorts of craft across a time span of
> about 5,000 years. While what they have done and how obstacles were
> overcome are certainly instructive (and entertaining) the things they
> should never have done (with the benefit of hindsight) are of even
> more value and interest.
>
> Doesn't dw have the right to make his focus of interest as narrow as
> he likes? Of course. Many of the contributors to this list seem to be
> attracted to nav as a practical expression of a bent for mathematics
> and technical tools. Nothing wrong with that, in itself.
>
> The dangers of this approach when at sea where interest can never be
> holistic enough is illustrated by a cautionary tale from local waters,
> where a speedy boat went offshore and had a lovely time zooming about,
> hither and thither. When it was time to go home the GPS was consulted,
> the appropriate course selected and at 20 knots they rammed a reef
> that lay along the track, killing the occupants.
>


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