But have you sailed offshore? Yes, winds shift, but they mostly do so either sharply and acute (frontal passage) or slowly and predictably (pressure system). Wave trains lag wind shifts considerably, if at all.

Keep in mind that I never said a compass was not needed, and I meant that I could steer for long periods of time in good visibility without one, but that making sure you generally stayed on a bearing was necessary.

Stars, moon, etc provide enough stability that they can be used for a long time without referencing a bearing.

In other words, I don't need to bury my head in a compass to keep a course, and only need reference to one every so often (hours?) to make any correction.

In good visibility. In poor visibility or rough conditions, I need my head in a compass.

And I don't think I am superman, or even exceptional, here…

Mark