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Frank,
I think the sun does peek out at noon more often then you realize. I think
the reason is that at lower altitudes the sun must pass thou the atmosphere
at an oblique angle and there are more clouds to be passed. The chance of
them all agreeing to get out of the way at the same time is slim to none. At
noon the sun is at its closest in terms of how much of the atmosphere it
must pass though and if the clouds overhead break for a moment then you have
a sight.

I have used the noon sight to get my longitude after a spell of bad weather
or a period of extended fog in the North Atlantic. Anything that would tend
to improve your position is worthwhile in the right circumstances. To have
an approximation that is within 15 miles is better then one that is within
30 miles. In addition, a small-unpowered (22-foot in my case) sailboat at 55
degrees north and 55 degrees west is affected by the currents to a great
degree and will have a very inaccurate DR within just a few days.
Robert Gainer

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