Imray to stop publishing paper charts

[Habebty]

Just had an email stating Imray are to stop publishing paper charts from next year due to the increasing reliance on electronic navigation systems. Shame as I always preferred them to Admiralty charts which will then be the only backup available.

 

[dunedin]

Sad announcement from Imray that they are ceasing production of paper charts - Imray to phase out chart publishing and refocus activities

Probably inevitable due to high costs and declining sales, but sad end of an era.

 

[LittleSister]

Sad indeed, both the passing of the era of paper charts, and the absence of Imray charts in particular.

I've had some good times with Imray charts!

 

[Mark-1]

Sad indeed, both the passing of the era of paper charts, and the absence of Imray charts in particular.

I've had some good times with Imray charts!

Me too, they had the knack of putting large scale detail on small scale charts. I'm sure I've done a whole week's sailing without swapping the Imray chart. Love them. Also like the colours and the look and feel.

Mind you, I never, ever bought one which perhaps explains why they're stopping.

 

[capnsensible]

Like your comments about the charts. I like them. But I bought loads!!

Thet are available in lodsa places away from UK.

 

[John_Silver]

Will miss the wide area passage planning charts. One of them spread out on the saloon table is useful for a ‘big picture’ overview, whilst dropping waypoints into the iPad.
And I still like to work out a ‘course to steer,’ for cross-tide passages, on a paper chart. In fact, I’m not sure how to do that (construct the triangle of Net tidal set, measure angle, from its tip, to destination) electronically. Hints gratefully received!

 

[LittleSister]

I will continue to use my out-of-date Imray paper charts, alongside others - I have a sizeable collection of various widespread locations (just in case I ever go back/actually get there), scales and brands, some dating back 35 years or so - alongside my out-of-date plotter charts. (Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I think plotters and paper charts are each particularly good for different, complementary, things.)

I used to particularly like Stanfords' charts, which were printed on thin strong waterproof paper, which was particularly useful back in the days when I sailed tiny boats and mainly navigated with the chart on my knees in the cockpit (or in a holder strapped to the front of my sea kayak). They also, like Imray, had some particular features/colouring I liked, though I've now forgotten the details. Stanfords were bought out by Imray, IIRC, so they've been on the predator side, taking out the competition, as well as on the losing side in the rough and tumble of the market.

 

[doug748]

Mind you, I never, ever bought one which perhaps explains why they're stopping.

Nor me.

The last new chart I recall buying was around 1984. Very proud of it, still in use. If that as a touchstone, my later secondhand selection will probably still be good for 2170 or so. I may be navigating deeper waters by then.

.

 

[capnsensible]

Nor me.

The last new chart I recall buying was around 1984. Very proud of it, still in use. If that as a touchstone, my later secondhand selection will probably still be good for 2170 or so. I may be navigating deeper waters by then.

.

No problem if you routinely carry out published chart corrections.

 

[footsoldier]

Me too, they had the knack of putting large scale detail on small scale charts. I'm sure I've done a whole week's sailing without swapping the Imray chart. Love them. Also like the colours and the look and feel.

Mind you, I never, ever bought one which perhaps explains why they're stopping.

You're right. It was difficult to define but there was just something about an Imray chart that made it feel a bit more user-friendly - always the one I would go for if there was a choice.

I fear for the future. What will we do when the Ruskies decide to knock out GPS?

 

[Sandy]

Utter madness.

 

[Boathook]

I might buy a few more relevant charts to keep on board.

Most of my charts are 20 years old but the land hasn't really moved in the area I sail, apart from GPS correction and that is only by a few metres.

 

[samfieldhouse]

Utter madness.

Agreed it's bonkers. I always have a laminated paper chart in the cockpit; I can pick it up and see what I need without looking down at the plotter and having to press buttons.

I'm fairly surprised they're not offering a print-on-demand service; probably at a higher cost to the consumer but no overheads for them.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Can't blame them If there is no way to make a profit.

Sad ending though. I expect some folks will print off the computer if hard copies required .

 

[Tradewinds]

An insight of Imray’s operation by Tom Cunliffe. Seemed they did have the capability to print on demand in-house.

 

[fredrussell]

Nightmare - I’ve just bought a Yeoman plotter!

 

[dunedin]

Utter madness.

Why is it madness? If the costs are increasing and the revenues decreasing, it is imperative for Imray to avoid creating losses on charts which might otherwise bring down the other parts of the business, which they are planning to maintain - ie pilot books, Explore With Imray etc.

 

[dunedin]

Agreed it's bonkers. I always have a laminated paper chart in the cockpit; I can pick it up and see what I need without looking down at the plotter and having to press buttons.

I'm fairly surprised they're not offering a print-on-demand service; probably at a higher cost to the consumer but no overheads for them.

The costs of chart production is NOT in the printing. That can be outsourced to chart retailers, as UKHO has done for years via Print on Demand.
The costs are in doing surveys, tracking all the various sources of updates to buoys, depths, marinas etc and carefully assessing then applying these changes as updates to the electronic master images - multiplied across hundreds of charts.
It’s the content that costs, not the printing.

 

[lustyd]

What will we do when the Ruskies decide to knock out GPS?

Use GLONASS?

 

[Martin_J]

This seems to be the article on the Imray website..

https://www.imray.com/news/imray-chart-publishing/