Charts - what brand do YOU recommend?

alpha

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Well, the thread title says it all....

For coastal cruising round the UK and across to France, on a boat with GPS but basically navigated in a traditional manner, which charts do you choose and why? Post links to examples if you're able...
 

hlb

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Imray. Only because thats what I've got used to. Some times have to switch to Admiralty. Which I've forgoten about. Cos had them in Wales. Years ago. If possible. Best to stick to same charts in same size. as much as posible. Or it gets very confussing. Dont think it matters so much on what sort.

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burgundyben

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I always use admiralty ones, like u, I navigate traditionally but use a gps too, I dont like all the foldy up ones as the folds always get worn and are in the wrong places, plus, water proof ones.....should nver take charts on deck/outside as its bad form cos might get blow over board by windy weather or very farty crew.

now been to pub lic houses and am done for tonight

why will none of my friends show me photos from new years eve?
 

jfm

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CMap NT plus. No probs with creases, folds, blowing away, etc, much cheaper than the paper variety (paper are about 12 quid each, CMaps are about £150 for 100 charts) and miraculously they come with a flashing blob showing your position!
 

adarcy

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Re: Chart types

Dear Burg

All IMHO of course, use whichever type you like and stick with it. We prefer admiralty.

BUT do not agree with <<should nver take charts on deck/outside as its bad form>> at all. A chart is cheap and needs to be updated/replaced so have it out where you can see it. Don't fancy going below at say 20+ knots to chech where I am/was and then coming back up to have another look! By all means do the planning below but bring them out with the marked route to use whilst going along. We keep them (folded to show easily) inside the large clear plastic wallet that came with the admiralty folio. Also, we have a flybridge and don't really fancy nipping down and in each time to peek at a chart.
As I say, all IMHO

Anthony

BTW were you in the photos and can't remember what happened?
 

alpha

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Thanks for the replies so far.

jfm,

I have no doubt that all forms of electronic gear can be wonderful, BUT, even Mr Boeing's 'electronic map' (multi thousand dollar, certified and approved, driven by two inertial reference systems etc etc) gave up on me once, needless to say in horrid weather just starting to approach Aberdeen at night in deepest winter. I wouldn't take to the sky or sea without paper back-up. This is to say nothing of several failures of various sorts of GPS systems too since I started using them about eleven years ago.

Don't get me wrong - all these bits of kit can be highly efficient and user-friendly. I just don't rely on anything that runs on wobbly volts!
 
G

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Primary navigation with Garmin plotter but carry sets of Admiralty small craft folios for back up.

There the right size for the chart table, come in waterproof see through case and you get about 10 half size charts of various scales for 35 quid.

Had to swop to Imray charts for the Med last year and I struggled to adjust I would think mistakes could be made under pressure.
 

jfm

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Alpha - fully agree. I advocate

Main GPS system on boat
Back up GPS on boat
Back up handheld plotter, battery powered, totally independent of boat systems
Paper Charts

You have to be very unlucky for all the first 3 to let you down,and if they do you have the paper. I always take paper charts with me as ultimate back up, but I hardly ever use them. But in the 99.999% of time the electronics do not let you down, there is imho nothing to beat a big chart display with a moving blob marking your position!

Let's not exaggerate risk of electronics failure. I mean, how many people carry a line with markings in metres, in case the echo sounder fails? I dont.

And on cost grounds, CMap charts are really only £1 each. The paper back ups you need cover larger scale (you only need perhaps 4 to 6 paper charts as back up if you are a solent boater) but you could never buy or keep up to date paper versions of the charts you can get on a CMap chip unless you had a floating library and a big wallet
 
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