I don't necessarily disagree with you (I generally prefer tried and true), but to turn that metaphor around, there were (probably) many advancements in sailing since the olden days in the field navigation, communication and weather forecast, etc, so a younger or more up-to-date sailboat might have a better time predicting and dodging storms, or even shortening the journey. And any decent skipper would be taking advantage of technologies, even though he/she _could_ navigate with a compass and sextant if needed.