Yes, atmospheric distortion limits how far we can see, and it changes all the time. There are videos which show this change day by day from a fixed position because the horizon is apparent, not geometric.
Holding the belief that water is curving over great distances but it is never observable is a belief based on no evidence, against observations which contradict the belief. We fill in the gaps with our imaginations. I never wanted to be this way, but I've gotten over the ridicule that comes with it.
Look, if every single skipper sung the same song I would be less skeptical. But they don't. Same with pilots. A lot of things don't add up.