Admiralty or Imray charts

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Slow_boat

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I used to use Admiralty charts when I was sailing before but I note that a lot of people use Imray these days.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both types of leisure/yachtsman folios?

(I mean paper charts, I don't have electronic toys, the electricity to run them or any desire to do so)
 
I wanted a new chart for the area covered by Admiralty 1056
Scale is 1:150,000. Alternative seen at LIBS (I think it was Imray) was 1:200,000. I chose the larger scale Admiralty chart. It probably depends where you cruise, what scale is available, and therefore which chart is clearest to read.
 
The colours are different, i.e. deep water - Admiralty = white, Imray = Blue. but the symbols all seem to be the same. Don't know how often they update.
 
If you are going for a 'leisure' set, do as you would when buying any product. When you are in the chandlers compare the different styles, colours, areas covered etc then choose the one you like best.

For the Solent to Portland I found the Imray suited best. They come in a book format but I sliced up the spine to make them more versatile. The large clear plastic folder is handy to work on in chinagraph with the relevant chart underneath.
 
I use the Admiralty Small Craft Leisure Sets (Essex/Suffolk & Ramsgate to Tower Bridge) & they cover the area for most of my sailing.I do have a Yeoman Plotter & they are good as they are pre-programmed for this.I also use Imray charts in the cockpit for eyeball navigation as they are easier to fold & much more hardwearing.Down to your preference really.
 
As with previous poster, I think that Imray paper is more resiliant to abuse, also the faint lat/long lines on the Imray's allow for better accuracy when doing a quick/approx. position fix between GPS and chart. That said, 80% of the charts on board ours are Admiralty because they offered more appropriate coverage &/or were available cheaper (not many s/hand Imray's around).
 
The Stanfords ones come in book form, but I've bought the ADmiralty ones for Essex Coast, because they are basically better charts. The soundings on the Stamfords ones are a lot further apart and it's a little disconcerting when working close inshore. UKHO shafted me though by reissuing the portfolio last September.
 
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I'm looking at weekend sailing out of Brightlingsea and would initialy be buying a 'leisure' set.

What about the layout and information on the two different types. Does anyone have views on that?

BTW, when I started we still had black and white charts marked in fathoms....

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still have some B & W ones /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
imray is rubbish to draw on, I get the feeling they are for posters and framing in studies. Also I find the colours very difficult under red light....


BUUUUT, their harbour plans are brilliant and that is what to me makes them worth buying occasionally. I like Stanfords too, I took up the offer on PBO to buy all the folios for the channel last year. Look forward to using them now!
 
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BTW, when I started we still had black and white charts marked in fathoms....

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Me too, but only because my mate and I were poor at 12 years old and could not afford admiralty charts. So I photocopied one in the library that was in the reference section. This was 1982, we were navigating from a chart from I think, 1890 or something. Half the village was not even shown, but it taught me a lot about navigation.

My plotter is set to fathoms and feet now cos I find it easier to work with, along with my sounder which is also in feet and bellfield tides. I think I was born after my time.

I am going to be told off now for not adding to this thread as there is no place for anecdotes or humour on PBO.
 
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