We all know that that you don't leave home port without nautical charts. If you are day sailing or cruising to a familiar destination, you may not need to consult your charts much. But once you get beyond familiar waters, your charts become critically important. What type of charts do you have on your boat? Paper? Electronic? Both? Which type do you tend to rely on more? While the characteristics of shorelines may not change that often, navigation aids are often moved, renumbered, or replaced with a different type. As such, how often do you update your charts? What is the primary means you use to update your charts? Have you ever used the National Ocean Service Nautical Chart Update website: http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/ (and click on -Chart Updates)? If so, what was your experience with this service? Tell us about your favorite type of charts and how you keep them up to date and then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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Both
I have two laptops (one as a backup...a cheap one from Walmart for $400...cheaper then a new gps) with all the RNC charts. Before I set off on a leg, I print out all the charts for that area. What makes this I believe the ideal practice, is that I have the charts the right size and font available at the helm on print and they are the updated charts (I check for updates before I print) with the detail I want. I hate dealing with those large charts that I have to fumble through. I also connect a handheld GPS to the laptop to make it a very big chart plotter. So much better looking at a 17" screen then a 2" screen.
I have two laptops (one as a backup...a cheap one from Walmart for $400...cheaper then a new gps) with all the RNC charts. Before I set off on a leg, I print out all the charts for that area. What makes this I believe the ideal practice, is that I have the charts the right size and font available at the helm on print and they are the updated charts (I check for updates before I print) with the detail I want. I hate dealing with those large charts that I have to fumble through. I also connect a handheld GPS to the laptop to make it a very big chart plotter. So much better looking at a 17" screen then a 2" screen.
Maps make the trip!
I like to purchase new charts at the boat house where we launch. The lake changes year to year, so does the low spots. It's half the fun of sailing....finding a new paper (laminated) chart!!!!
I like to purchase new charts at the boat house where we launch. The lake changes year to year, so does the low spots. It's half the fun of sailing....finding a new paper (laminated) chart!!!!
I use the ADC chart book and am amused
when my GPS displays the navigation mark as we go past them. I use the notice to mariners updates for my charts but don't concern myself too much in local waters. Kinda like Mark Twain said "I believe that I have hit every snag and sand bar between here and Georgetown on the Sassafras River". I know where they are. With that said I wouldn't attempt the Kent Narrows channel with old charts nor Knapps Narrows. If I were planning to go farther afield I would get the latest charts. My GPS certainly won't be current when I make those voyages.
when my GPS displays the navigation mark as we go past them. I use the notice to mariners updates for my charts but don't concern myself too much in local waters. Kinda like Mark Twain said "I believe that I have hit every snag and sand bar between here and Georgetown on the Sassafras River". I know where they are. With that said I wouldn't attempt the Kent Narrows channel with old charts nor Knapps Narrows. If I were planning to go farther afield I would get the latest charts. My GPS certainly won't be current when I make those voyages.
Piloting
Call me old fashioned but there is something to be said about paper charts and actual navigating with them and using the GPS for checking if you are where you think you are . He he! I am amazed why any Sailer would give up part of the enjoyment of sailing by relying on an electronic devise to steer you to your next way point. Isn't sailing the seas suppose to be relaxing and nothing but the sound of the wind in your sails to interupt the quiet no beeps or whistles. What happens if the GPS falls overboard or if the electric power goes poof? Now I do have a GPS but I am taking advanced piloting and then Celestial Nav. Because I think it would be amazing to go somewhere and do it all on my own the way it use should be. See, I told you I was old fashioned! Great sailing to you all and may you reach your next stop within 50 feet! Best regards, Larry Wolstat Beshert ( 27' 1979 Chrysler) BOHM, Bronte, Ontario .Canada.
Call me old fashioned but there is something to be said about paper charts and actual navigating with them and using the GPS for checking if you are where you think you are . He he! I am amazed why any Sailer would give up part of the enjoyment of sailing by relying on an electronic devise to steer you to your next way point. Isn't sailing the seas suppose to be relaxing and nothing but the sound of the wind in your sails to interupt the quiet no beeps or whistles. What happens if the GPS falls overboard or if the electric power goes poof? Now I do have a GPS but I am taking advanced piloting and then Celestial Nav. Because I think it would be amazing to go somewhere and do it all on my own the way it use should be. See, I told you I was old fashioned! Great sailing to you all and may you reach your next stop within 50 feet! Best regards, Larry Wolstat Beshert ( 27' 1979 Chrysler) BOHM, Bronte, Ontario .Canada.
I have paper charts...
that are supported with GPS for a fix. I concur about never leaving the docks without one's charts. For my size boat, I cannot see the economics of installing a chart plotter. Maybe when I upgrade to a large boat I will do that. But for now, GPS tells me where I am and the paper shows me.
that are supported with GPS for a fix. I concur about never leaving the docks without one's charts. For my size boat, I cannot see the economics of installing a chart plotter. Maybe when I upgrade to a large boat I will do that. But for now, GPS tells me where I am and the paper shows me.
I pilot
even tho I have a GPS. The only time I use a GPS is if in open water (large bay or if I step out into the gulf). I usually stick to within sight of the shore when in the gulf so GPS is a backup there also. The only time I HAD to rely on my GPS was one foggy December day (2005 if I remember right) and had to find my way into a narrow bayou with 100' visibility. I plotted course on chart and positioned boat with GPS then rode the waypoints I set in the GPS into the Bayou. It was a great experience and I am glad I had just brushed up on navigation methods. I always have my charts with me but I am so familiar with the ICW in my local area that I rarely take them out unless I extend beyond familiar waters or want to brush up skills or teach someone. Paper charts are just fine on a 22' boat. Not much room for a chart plotter, which you should have backup paper charts anyways as electronics break.
BTW, the charts I have are free ones that I found on the internet. They are made from semi water-resistant paper and have served me well. They are getting a little dog eared now after 4 years so I guess it's time to splurge for a real set, well maybe I can get one more season out of them. Tim
even tho I have a GPS. The only time I use a GPS is if in open water (large bay or if I step out into the gulf). I usually stick to within sight of the shore when in the gulf so GPS is a backup there also. The only time I HAD to rely on my GPS was one foggy December day (2005 if I remember right) and had to find my way into a narrow bayou with 100' visibility. I plotted course on chart and positioned boat with GPS then rode the waypoints I set in the GPS into the Bayou. It was a great experience and I am glad I had just brushed up on navigation methods. I always have my charts with me but I am so familiar with the ICW in my local area that I rarely take them out unless I extend beyond familiar waters or want to brush up skills or teach someone. Paper charts are just fine on a 22' boat. Not much room for a chart plotter, which you should have backup paper charts anyways as electronics break.
BTW, the charts I have are free ones that I found on the internet. They are made from semi water-resistant paper and have served me well. They are getting a little dog eared now after 4 years so I guess it's time to splurge for a real set, well maybe I can get one more season out of them. TimGet them on-line.
Since NOAA now offers both vector and raster charts at their website for free, I can't imagine any reason but one not to have updated charts. If you have a dial-up internet connection, it would be very difficult, if not impossible to download that much data. I just updated all my charts 2 weeks ago and then burned them on to CD's. I don't have to keep all that information on my hard drive, and can use them with my lap-top on the boat to back up my chart plotter. It works well for me. Fair winds & smooth sailing, Lawrence
Since NOAA now offers both vector and raster charts at their website for free, I can't imagine any reason but one not to have updated charts. If you have a dial-up internet connection, it would be very difficult, if not impossible to download that much data. I just updated all my charts 2 weeks ago and then burned them on to CD's. I don't have to keep all that information on my hard drive, and can use them with my lap-top on the boat to back up my chart plotter. It works well for me. Fair winds & smooth sailing, Lawrence
Free charts! You're lucky!
Mark PS let me say that word again... free. Free. FREE. Kinda rolls off the toungue
I've had a bit of fun downloading some US free charts. Wow! Let me use that word again: FREE!!!!!! Yippee! Do you know who much we pay for a paper chart? About US$20. Now have a think about cruising the US coast and tally up that! Try a round the world cruise! I was quoted $14,000 AUD (about $10,000 US) for Navionics Gold charts world wide. People say well you don't need the whole world... sure I don't but when your in the middle Pacific and you decide to head north are you going to tie up in Pago Pago for a month to wait for a new Memory Card to be air-lifted in? What about when I decide to run from a Hurricane, Typhoon, Cyclone etc but run off the chart? Drop the floating pick and pray? And all this is AFTER you pay out stacks of cash for the program and the plotter. No wonder people skimp on charts! Good on the USA and NOAA giving them away for free! There is absolutly no reason to not have the full deck of up to date charts now. But only for USA waters. Well, here's a thing your Government could gift the whole world: Charts of our whole blue planet! That would be the biggest advance in safety at sea since the EPIRB. All the best
Mark PS let me say that word again... free. Free. FREE. Kinda rolls off the toungue - Status