Navigating by Variation ?

[barnakiel]

It this a viable method today? Anybody tried it out on their boat?

I know from two books that both the Dutch going to the spice islands and the buccaneers of Dampier era used it.

I know it is a very rough method, but it sounds so simple and once the latitude is know it promises to bring us (well, almost;-)) safely home ...

b.

[btrayfors]

Forget it!

Other than an historical and intellectual curiousity, IMHO it's not worth your time thinking about it.

However, there are lots of alternatives:

Amazon.com: Emergency Navigation, 2nd Edition : Improvised and No-Instrument Methods for the Prudent Mariner eBook: David Burch: Kindle Store

Bill

[David M]

It is not precise enough by today's standards but still could be used as a curiosity.

[S/V Alchemy]

I'm a man who owns three sextants, and I wouldn't bother, just as I hope I never have to do the "lunars".