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I know several people who, like me, use the noon shot for a fix and we don't
seem to have the theoretical problems brought up:  (1) significant change in
declination of the sun or (2) of the vessel.

For purposes of sailing, esp. E/W across the Pacific or Atlantic you can't
come up with an error big enough to big significant.   The sun's declination
is changing (AND can be accounted for) about .6 to .9' per HOUR and your
series of shots take but a few minutes (when pre-planned for Local Apparent
Noon).  So, even without correcting, the error induced is a few hundred
yards for Pete's sake!

My boat isn't making any appreciable N/S mileage over a few minutes at about
4kts.

I'll concede to possibly being off a few hundred yards and with that caveat
you need to take with a grain of salt the grim warnings of the land bound
theoreticians.

For ships and speedboats you have a more significant problem, esp. if you
are near land, reefs or channels.   But for sailing.   Sail on and enjoy.
Noon fixes work GREAT!

Dave Boatman's $.02
LAKA/Honolulu

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