Grant,

Like Paul, I also live in an area with little variation. Used to be that Cincinnati, where I was brought up had 0 degrees. But I have lived on the right coast and done some sailing there

It seems to be the norm to not compensate the compass for variation (declination) but to have the compass needle point to magnetic north. Charts all have a compass rose on them (several usually) That give a great line for magnetic north. When figuring a course, one just walks the course line over to the compass rose or vise a versa.

I think you would find, if you kayak with others, that having your compass read true north instead of magnetic north could be a little confusing, as theirs likely reads magnetic north.

All this is different on topos which you routinely use for work. On topos there is no compass rose for plotting and one has to do the mental gymnastics with the compass to get the right direction.

My $.02

Rick