2/3 charts

[pdnervo]

does anyone have any experience with the charts that are sold by by [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bellingham Chart Printers at [/FONT]http://www.tidesend.com/ they are 2/3rds the size of regular charts and printed in white/grey only... would appreciate any response.... were on our way south from SF to Fla....


[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Latest Edition Nautical Charts
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]priced at a fraction of high priced originals; printed on high quality, heavy-weight paper.

2 convenient sizes for storage:
2/3 SIZE (24" X 36")[/FONT]

 

[Stu Jackson]

No. But why would you buy charts when you can get them for free at the NOAA website? 2/3 size would make figuring distances a two step operation, although I always mark one nautical mile on the edge of all my new charts - gotta keep teaching myself that one degree = ??? every year or so.

 

[pdnervo]

yes i know they are free from noaa.......i need charts for Mexico, and central america. am i missing something? does noaa have these. I thought noaa free were only electronic....i need paper backup

 

[Delezynski]

Pdnervo,

I have bought and used the 2/3 charts from Bellingham. The worked great for us down through Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. I used them with my Yeoman chart plotter so we had a fast simple GPS plot on paper backup all along the way.

Having said that, they are no more accurate than the electronic charts. Also, if you don't have plans on going further just now, you might want to get the Yachtsman chart books. See them at; http://www.nauticalcharts.com/mexico-to-panama-chart-book-6th-ed-book.htm

The good thing about them is they are a nice package and in color. The 2/3 are black and white / shades of gray and that did make them a bit harder to use. I have seen some cruisers use a blue and pink highlighter to color them for a better effect.

Hope this helps!

Greg

 

[pdnervo]

thanx... we appreciate your suggestions and will look into it.....rgds

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

NOAA has Booklet charts available. You print them out, in color if wanted, and put them in a loose leaf notebook. They are all current, and free,

We print every other page on one side, then turn the paper over and print the other pages on the back, then put them in plastic page sleeves. I have the whole Gulf coast from Port Isabel, Texas, to the Florida Keys, in two 3 ring binders.

Link here-

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html

Mexican charts, I can't help with

 

[pdnervo]

thank you for that recommendation...

 

[rgranger]

I have used the booklet charts extensively and they are nice... and free...but they are small print and sometimes hard to use.

Just saying.

 

[pdnervo]

thanx for all your answers and suggestions.... we will prob get the 2/3 charts....
happy sailing to all.....