SFWG Study Hall

I'm not much of a navigator, but I am a weekend sailor of minor skill, so I can try.

Need some variables defined.

Most important is power. Choices are Human (i.e., galley) Wind, or Internally powered (anything from steam up to solar)

Aft er that, the nature of the ship. Big difference between a military attack boat and a slow freighter , no matter what level of technology we're talking about.

After that is navigational aids. Given some rudimentary aids, for example, Vikings were willing to leave the coastline to cut across open water, while their southern couterparts would sometimes hug the coastline no matter how wrinkly. With access to only one or two more tools than the Vikings had, the Portuguese were able to sail around the world.

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Regards,
Eric Fretheim
(Eric The Fred)