how old is too old?
- Thread starter gettinthere
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Depends on where and how you sail, or where you may be planning to go.
The buoys here in my sailing area simply don't change, and I can think of only two or three that have changed in the 25+ years I've been sailing here. I check the LNM and not much is changing. Alternatively, if you're in, say, England, from what I've read they're moving buoys all the time.
So, if you're in home waters, why bother? If your home waters include frequent buoy and ATN changes, then you should.
There's also another factor: Maptech can read the free NOAA bsb charts, so you should be able to access those. You could also download or buy a SeaClear package with all the US charts (I did). They'd be newer.
Yes, there is complication without having to look at two different charts on your computer but it all depends on what you're using it for. I use my computer for planning only, and still use the GPS handheld when I'm moving.
How much are they asking for the updates?
The buoys here in my sailing area simply don't change, and I can think of only two or three that have changed in the 25+ years I've been sailing here. I check the LNM and not much is changing. Alternatively, if you're in, say, England, from what I've read they're moving buoys all the time.
So, if you're in home waters, why bother? If your home waters include frequent buoy and ATN changes, then you should.
There's also another factor: Maptech can read the free NOAA bsb charts, so you should be able to access those. You could also download or buy a SeaClear package with all the US charts (I did). They'd be newer.
Yes, there is complication without having to look at two different charts on your computer but it all depends on what you're using it for. I use my computer for planning only, and still use the GPS handheld when I'm moving.
How much are they asking for the updates?
What is the price?
For $100, I might upgrade just to have the latest with minimum work.
But Navionics on my iPhone is $20, and they update that constantly.
If I were just sailing the Lake Erie Islands, our home area, I wouldn't bother. But If we were planning a cruise around the Lake, then current charts would be a good thing. We spring for the Lake Erie Chart book at something over $100 when a new edition comes out - every 5 years or so.
For $100, I might upgrade just to have the latest with minimum work.
But Navionics on my iPhone is $20, and they update that constantly.
If I were just sailing the Lake Erie Islands, our home area, I wouldn't bother. But If we were planning a cruise around the Lake, then current charts would be a good thing. We spring for the Lake Erie Chart book at something over $100 when a new edition comes out - every 5 years or so.
I wasn't clear...I'm talking about the Maptech chartbook. The set of charts in book form. I'll need the whole east coast eventually. Starting with the Norfolk to Florida book.
I have a garmin plotter for electronic plotting backed up by another garmin plus seaclear with the entire usa on one DVD and a hockey puck receiver for the laptop
I have a garmin plotter for electronic plotting backed up by another garmin plus seaclear with the entire usa on one DVD and a hockey puck receiver for the laptop
Well
Depending on how your going down the East Coast the important stuff (Ocean Inlets)changes every storm which would be allmost weekly right now
Depending on how your going down the East Coast the important stuff (Ocean Inlets)changes every storm which would be allmost weekly right now
You should be able to update the Seaclear charts to the latest from NOAA in a free download. Look at your route on the newest charts on Seaclear and pencil in changes onto the Maptech chart. A good thing to do while cooped up watching snow. and again the night before that part of the particular passage. Check LNM
Update...
One thing not mentioned is to check the dates of the original survey charts upon which the software versions are based. Most have not changed in decades.
Instead of upgrading, check the CG's Notice to Mariners for changes in position of navigational marks in your area. If you can download the NOAA charts as Claude suggested, that's another inexpensive alternative.
One thing not mentioned is to check the dates of the original survey charts upon which the software versions are based. Most have not changed in decades.
Instead of upgrading, check the CG's Notice to Mariners for changes in position of navigational marks in your area. If you can download the NOAA charts as Claude suggested, that's another inexpensive alternative.
none of the online cruising guides can substitute for paper charts for navigation. Whole different animal.
While there are SOME notations of hazards on all the online guides like Waterway Guide and Cruisers Net as well as AC, I don't think that would be nearly as reliable as local notice to mariners for changes to bouys and markers.
And those changes have been made since the last published chartbook for the area in 2009. So I'm not sure a 2009 book is any better than a 2004 book would be.
Downloading is for the digital charts, I'm speaking of the paper charts in book form.
Thanks
Right, are there any other things that might have changed over a longer period of time?
For inlets on the SE coast (on which the NOAA charting and 'chartplotter' views of buoys is ALWAYS 'greyed out') consider the "SE Coast Inlet Guide" from White Sound Press. http://www.wspress.com/shop/product...id=29&osCsid=0b6ea6378ab9ba3c2d964dab16f98cdb although, their 'latest' is 2004 and will need updating for the current bouyage; but, many of the 'class A' inlets will be 'stable'/constant.
I can't speak for any of the other online hazard listings but I do know a fair amount about the ActiveCaptain ones. They come from 2 sources:
- Local Notice to Mariners that we scan and add to the charts
- Data experienced first hand and commented by others
In general, the first hand data is much more reliable and accurate. I just planned to go through Shallotte Inlet a week ago which had a warning of 2' of depth at low tide across the ICW. Do you think the CG ever checked? They didn't. We have it in there too - it's the responsible thing. But as boaters come across it, they can add their comments so you get a good picture of reality from multiple points of view.
But all of this skirts the real issue. Be reasonable and honest. How many people go through the Local Notice to Mariners any more? I remember when I was learning to sail while growing up, my dad and I would go over the document every week and update our charts. I don't know anyone who has updated charts in 5 years from LNM reports. Me included.
One of the biggest values of what we do in ActiveCaptain is put those notices over nautical charts where they can really be used and commented on. I like to say that we put the "notice" in Local Notice to Mariners.
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