I thought I was the only one that watched a compass when I was out on a friends boat. You never know

Ditto and always amazes me how far off most are; guess few are around
that remember how to swing a compass and set up a deviation card.

Use my compass constantly - always aware of compass course vs. gps

I just (within the last year) threw out my old handheld compass. It was very useful in finding fishing spots, as long as you had sight of two points of reference. I used it a lot before I was able to afford my first loran.
It also helps to look back and notice the shoreline where you came from. My gps gave out on me a few months ago while trolling a long way from shore. I kept on trolling and kept an eye on the compass, but ultimately, it was the shape and skyline of the shore, once we got close enough, that got us home.

Offshore boating without a GPS
 

This is the exact model RDF Vecta unit we used racing offshore with the Palm Beach Sailing Club and our Bahamas crossings in the 70’s... Good times. As GFS will attest, the “smoke stacks” used to be THE landmark off the Lake Worth inlet.

Juno Ball
 

Yes, the stacks were a welcome sight. In closer to shore fisherman would answer what is your 10-20, by I am 3-4 miles off the “ball”, referring to the Juno Ball, a spherical water tank in Juno Beach. Don’t know if they still do, but boaters referred to the ball long after it was gone.

That was an unusual water tower!! Adorned with seagulls, I believe.

We watched them come down during our Peanut Isl gathering.
Now we use the Crayola Crayon box condo aka marina grand.
A testament to why god created architects. Ugggggggly.

I was watching your compass at the Jensen gathering.