AirTech wrote:Keith_w wrote:As for the sailing master skills, they were primarily knowledge based from previous voyages based on wind, currents and known speeds, and the records of other sailing masters (ie, rutters), not sextant based mathematical navigation.
Depends on the level of technology you have. The Polynesians sailed from Taiwan to the coast of Peru with no instruments at all and maps made of bamboo and twigs. The sailing masters training took a decade or more to master however. Better instruments make navigation a more precise art and accurate published maps make it repeatable. (BTW we are still massive finding map errors in 2013 - Google Sandy Island as an example). The script contained accurate maps however the punching of Armageddon Reef (amongst other holes) would have altered the currents and terrain quite a bit.
Hi Air Tech,
I live in Honolulu, and we get updates on Hokulea's worldwide voyage. Currently they are about half way between Australia and Bali. Nainoa Thompson, the navigator uses the stars, the sun, current swell and other signs of nature to navigate.
My comment on Safehold was on the contrast between the innovation of documenting sailing directions, and the acceptance of galleon structure and sail plans.
James