But I wondered if there was some way to get a better fix with the rest of the gear on board... if there was some way to set the watch to give you somewhat accurate fixes, with the data available. In other words, how good would be a sextant if that was pretty much all you had... what could you do with that instrument alone?

One more thing I might do... based on years as an engineer.... I would try to fix the battery corroded GPS... it may be a wash, but if I could get 12v into it somehow and bypass the no doubt corroded battery terminals, I may be able to use that.

As far as not having the right Almanac... Westcoaster... let's just assume the right one was lost or water damaged.

If I were to ever try such a trip, I would do as Greg suggested, put spare all band radio, GPS, VHF, in a metal box, along with loose batteries (not in the devices).

But as they say, "stuff happens."

As far as being prepared with good seamanship... we all were novices at some point.