Quiz on Charts

[newly anonymous]

more than just charts

NOAA paper charts: yesUSGS electronic topo charts of entire area: yesback-up chart kit for use in cockpit: yesC-map NT electronic charts: yesharbor guide kit: yesCharlie's charts: yesCruising guide: yesFishing chart: yesnotice to mariners: oops

 

[Terry Cox, Hunter 42, Belle-Vie]

Tim, nice thread.

We have and use current paper charts for our cruising area. I have a chart book that I keep in the cockpit for ready reference but use the chart and tide book for course-to-waypoint planning.I do not have and do not want electronic charts. I find our hand held GPS to be quite handy enough.While we are on the topic of charts, do you have a good internet source for the explanation of chart synbols and nomenclature? I know many of the chart symbols but there are some that confuse me.TerryP.S. You would be surprised at how many boaters use placemat maps as charts.

 

[Brent]

Answers

1. Yes2. Didn't even know it existed (thanks for the link!)3. Don't have electronic charts but use GPS as a guide to locating buoy's, etc.

 

[Todd]

John, you missed one...

You don't seem to be keeping a set of backup placemats! I hear they double for keeping food off table tops too.

 

[Lauraine3557]

1. Not current, about 3 years old.

2. We check just prior to traveling.3. No e-charts, just a couple GPS's.

 

[Tim]

Chart Symbols? See Chart 1

Terry - good question about chart symbols. NOAA publishes something called "Chart 1" which has everything - and more - that you'd ever find on charts - see link below.Happy Reading!Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Bill35]

Current set of paper charts at home (+)

for planning, Chartkit book on board (for space purposes), plus current e-charts for the helm plotter (Raymarine) and a handheld backup (Garmin).Check the notices if going for more than a daysail outside Pax River.Fair winds, Bill"Ngemelis"

 

[scott]

What about tidal flow charts

I assume all the racers use them, but what about you others? What do the Puget Sound guys use? I was using Cap'n Jacks but then last year they didn't print the annual publication.

 

[Tim]

Tide Prints, Tide & Current Tables

I got a 2004 Captain Jacks Tide and Current Atlas at the boat show in January. I do use it to augment planning for any trips I'm taking - "Go with the Flow" is a good motto.I've always wanted a set of "tide prints" - a set of area charts, one for each hour to cover a specific time prior to, at, and after Max Flood, and Max Ebb. My birthday was April 4th, so maybe next year. You use the current prediction table, along with the tide print to get a "personalized" map of what direction and how strong the currents will be at a particular time - for the entire charted area. Particularly handy when the general trend (Flood/Ebb) is going against the direction you'd like to head. You can use the Tide Print to determine where you might find the least adverse current, or even an eddy or backflow that might help you along in spite of the main flow.Go with the Flow!Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Stu Jackson]

Current Tables

For FREE we get combined tide and current tables, and the book also has the hour by hour flow shown on maps.Here in San Francisco we don't have the huge currents Puget Sound gets, but they sure make a difference in knowing how and where they operate. Very important in getting where you want to go.Our tide books are great, although they also have been called "The Most Mis-Read Book in Town," by Kimball Livingston, who wrote "Sailing the Bay," a tremendous book that I reread at least twice a year, and always learn something new.Stu

 

[Terry Cox, Hunter 42, Belle-Vie]

Tim, thanks for the tip on chart one. Whew!...

Big file. Terry

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Tim, Shhhsh.

Don't be telling secrets, like back eddys.

 

[Rob Morton]

Flow Charts?

We are planning a trip up to the San Juan Islands and have a captian Jacks but what about the charts that show the currents or tides? Where can you get these?Thanks,Rob Morton

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

San Juan Island Current Charts

Rob, The best tidal current charts for the San Juans are actually a Canadian Publication referred to around here as Washburne's. There are 30 odd charts depicting current flow for various stages of and strength of tides and a reference that tells you which chart to look at for each hour of the day. I didn't see it in the chandlery here, but it's available in most mraine supply stores here or you could order it through the Armchair Sailor in Seattle.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust H37.5

 

[Jon W.]

Clarification on San Juan current chart?

GaryI think you may be referring to the Canadian "Current Atlas, Jaun de Fuca Straight to Strait of Georgia". The Washburne's tables are a yearly supplemental publication providing a shortcut method to locating the appropriate page in the Current Atlas. I got mine years ago at the local WM, but I saw one there just last year.I never make a move in that area without consulting these first. I wish we had a similar publication for Puget Sound!

 

[Ted B.]

Anyone tried the free electronic charts from NOAA?

They are available free from the NOAA webpage, only some available now. Require free software to view, format is called S57 I think. I've downloaded but haven't had time to mess with them much. If you do download remember to note the Name of the map when you download cause the file just has a number. I got a bunch of the local islands and can't tell which is which easily.

 

[Paul F]

Noaa Chart reader

Yes, I took a look at them. Fairly good I think. There is a good reader called SevenCs that I downloaded from www.sevencs.com It is worth a look. Unforturnitly the near shore charts do not yet cover my area of Florida. but with a little time put in to understand the process the charts appear to be usefull.

 

[Rob Morton]

Thanks Gary! Any other advice?

Hi Gary,Thanks for the info on the charts. Do you have any other advice for a first timer up there? We are going Sept 11 to the 19th. There will be four boats going. If you have any input I would love to hear it. My e-mail is sales@mortoncontracting.com.Thanks againRob MortonS/V Euphoria H23

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Rob, great name for your boat!

But, then too, I'm a child of the sixties.

 

[Paul Akers]

Tide Tool for your PDA

Since people here are talking about tide prediction tables, I have downloaded one to my PDA. It covers tides throughout the world. But they can't be printed. Give it a look.http://www.toolworks.com/bilofsky/tidetool/