San Juans Charts

[markm]

What is the opinion of paper charts vs. digital charts for the PC or Garmin GPS. I am looking at all the alternatives and right now I am leaning toward traditional paper charts because of ease of use. What do seasoned Puget Sound sailors recommend.

Mark

 

[j&lgray]

We have cruised the San Juan and Gulf Islands for 20 years in two sailboats, a fast Bayliner and now the Ranger 25. We use a combination of resources. The Navionics chip for Puget Sound to the north tip of Vancouver Island is what the pilot uses on the Raymarine chartplotter. The Garmin equivalent is very good. A book of paper charts, "Marine Alas, Volume 1" that covers roughly the same area, are spiral bound, in a large format, and the book is about 18" by 24" is used by the navigator for planning and the big view. We have put all of our historical notes on this and that is the big plus with paper-it can keep data that does not go done with a software crash. We use the book, "Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands" by Migael Scherer and also the "foot and afloat" series of books for south, middle, and north Puget Sound.

Using this combination has worked very well for us.

 

[captain's cat]

Mark, here's an alternative to an expensive big paper chart or a book of charts which also can get pretty pricey.

They are NOAA charts, in 8x10 size and free to download and print.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staf ... Chart.html

Charlie

 

[rt11002003]

Mark, I'm with Laurie Ann. We've always used paper charts, cruising guides and a Garmin 3210c chartplotter (or just a GPS unit before getting the 3210c; actually we used LORAN before the GPS). We also backed those up with a separate compass, a handheld Garmin GPS unit and Garmin radar. We don't cruise in your area, but the navigation tools are the same everywhere; maybe someday we'll get out there with a boat.

Having just purchased our R-21 EC I've been trying to figure out a location to use as a chart table. I knew I should have bought the R-25.

Gene

 

[Starry_Night_Joe]

Having just purchased our R-21 EC I've been trying to figure out a location to use as a chart table. I knew I should have bought the R-25.

Gene

When we had our MacGregor 26X on Puget Sound, I would make a 'chartroll' as there was not a lot of space (like a R-21). On Starry Night, we use the table for longer trips. A cheap chart roll is made by printing the charts and taping the pirces together then rolling them up. An expensive chart roll is made from NOAA charts and has a nice plastic holder that can be rolled like a papyrus scroll. (I used expensive ones on the bridge of submarines).

 

[JamesTXSD]

We always back up our electronic charts with paper, regardless of where we cruise; prudence. As far as the electronic charts, we download the free NOAA ENC charts on our laptop to use for planning purposes, and have the Navionics Platinum chips for our E-Series Raymarine. We have cruised the PNW two of the last three summers. For us Gulf coastal kids, the San Juans would be very confusing without good paper charts - my wife keeps the paper charts on her lap or beside her while I use our Raymarine E-80. The San Juans are one of our favorite areas to cruise; lots of interesting islands and coves. Also the local tides/currents publication is good information to have onboard.

 

[markm]

Thank you all for the many responses. I have another questions, same subject SORT OF. I have a Garmin GPS 178 and it has the ability install a BlueChart Chip. What exactly does this chip do for you. I looked on the Garmin website, but it is a little fuzzy. From what I can gather it appears to be much more detailed charts and information. Am I correct?


Many thanks

Mark