Log Book - Chart plotting

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TonyS

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When we cross the channel we take the position every hour and plot it on the chart. However after a few crossings the chart is covered in lines and rubbing them out, even when a soft pencil is used, removes some of the surface (Imray). The visual record is then also lost.
I am thinking of doing colour photocopies of the common channel routes such as Solent to Cherbourg, Cherbourg to St Peter Port, St Peter Port to Lezardrieux etc using my channel planner chart and then photo reduce them so they are A4 in size. I can then plot on the photocopy and stick it in the log book as a permanent record of the passage.
Does anyone else do this or has anyone a better suggestion? Scanning and merge? If someone has scanned and merged these common routes could they send me the files please (if that is legal).
 
Thanks Neil,
Unfortunately I don't have Maptech. I have CMAP NT on a Raymarine system as my electronic charts and I don't think it is possible to print from those. I was thinking of doing the copies at home and keeping a supply of the routes on the boat.
 
I use those clear plastic holders that take a chart folded in half, and plot using a chinagraph pencil. I have two, one for routing and one for larger scale, so I don't have to change charts too often. I think they're about a fiver each and seem to last a few years until the closure gives up.
I know chinagraph isn't as fine as an RYA yachtmaster approved HB pencil but it's more than accurate enough in reality and can be easily read. It encourages you to write big as well!
 
We got some charts laminated on our club boat and then you can use a variety of mediums to plot a position. Folds resonably well too and stays dry from spray, rain etc.
 
[ QUOTE ]

I know chinagraph isn't as fine as an RYA yachtmaster approved HB pencil but it's more than accurate enough in reality and can be easily read. It encourages you to write big as well!

[/ QUOTE ]
Hey - surely RYA only approve BB pencils for chartwork? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Remarkably difficult to find the the shops too
 
Re: laminated charts

That sounds like a good idea, I presume you got a local printing or stationery shop to do it? I guess it makes updating your charts rather difficult, but when I think back to when I last applied corrections to my charts I get embarassed, so it wouldn't make any difference to me.
 
Re: BB pencils

You're probably right, its a long time since I did my theory course, but you should be able to get them from any artists' materials shop.
 
A long time ago (25 years?) there was a magazine called 'Geartest' that did a Which on sailing gear. One of their articles was on charts, and one of the tests was to repeatedly draw a line (2B pencil) then rub it out. If I remember correctly, Stamfords did least well, followed by Imrays then Admiralty. But Imray and Stamford charts were both badly affected after some 25-30 erasures, while Admiralty were only just showing effects at 100.

The usual reommendation on RYA courses is 2B pencils, but with the lightest usable line so that it can be easily rubbed out. Thick, black lines are a no, no.
 
Once sailed on a Nic 32 which had a hinged glass surface on the chart table,chart under,all plotting with chinagraph pencils,job done!
Kept meaning to replicate it on subsequent boats but never got round to it.
 
similar idea.......well usefull for the smaller boat + dinghy,
dry wallet 10x 12 inch or so, one side clear. sorry transparent, gaffa tape, me 'ol china stilo.
Tape the wallet somewhere sensible, fold chart to relevant area and write on the plastic, if you dont fix the chart in tight 'tho your dr / ep will move, often.
 
Thanks for all the inputs. I have considered using a plastic cover and experimenting with different pencils and rubbers but none of these keep the record of actual passage on a piece of chart that can be pasted into the logbook to provide the graphical record.I am relatively new to this channel crossing and like to calculate the tides and set off on a bearing rather than use the autopilot and a way point. I also like to sail where possible. When I look at the 6 or so crossings my calculations are never correct and it is interesting on a quiet evening to look at the log book and try to reason what happened. An A4 size record in the logbook is what I want and just thought someone else might have had a similar idea. Does noone else also like a permanent pictorial record and have a nice looking chart.
The last time we crossed, a couple of weeks ago, was a flat calm. We were sunbathing before the shipping lane. The speed was constant and I was sure I had it right. However the tides, for some unknown reason were stronger on the English side and we ended up 3 hours out putting a waypoint on the Bridge Buoy and a goto on the plotter. It is interesting that a similar boat followed us out of Cherbourg and gradually overhauled us and then dissapeared ahead on the same course. He clearly changed course much later than us because he passed us again using the full output of his engine to overcome the remains of the tide up the Needles channel. I wonder if he is also reviewing his calculations?
 
For those who use PC's for charts and whose ECS will not easily let them print the exact part of a chart they want from the screen, they may be interested in trying Hoversnap which is found at Hoversnap - it is free.

Allows one to select any part of the screen and save to a jpeg or whatever file for printing out. Only works in applications that use the MSWindows GUI though (my ECS does not).

John
 
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