Cheap Paper Charts

[Gryzio]

I always like having Paper Charts in case I lose electronic navigation. I gave my old charts to my brother. So, soon I wanted to buy more that are new. Hoping to be using them this coming Spring/Summer.

The cheapest price I have found is $20 per chart. Atlantic and Gulf.

Anyone know a place to order on-line that may be cheaper?

I been browsing here so people know;
http://www.oceangrafix.com/o.g/NOAA-...rt-Agents.html

[AboardIndigo]

I don't know if you'll have this option for the areas you're looking to cover, but a cheaper alternative is a chartbook that consolidates the official charts into one smaller book format.

I went with this one for my cruising grounds, and was able to get it for $75 new.

http://www.richardsonscharts.com/Ontario.asp

That's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying each one of the charts that it covers (16 NOAA and 32 CHS), and you can apply the notmar updates to them as well.

[Watermelon]

Chartkits are generally cheaper in the sense that you get more "bang for your buck". Unfortunately, chartkits are not available everywhere, such as the Texas Gulf.

Another alternative would be to use the NOAA Chartviewer to locate, download, and print the charts that you need on your own printer (or Kinko's)

Example chartkit provider: maptech.com
(I'm not affiliated with maptech, just that it came up first in Google search results)

NOAA chartviewer:
ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/

(Sorry, can't post clickable URLs yet)

[AjariBonten]

Here's a link ............

http://www.freeboatingcharts.com/des...ion=level1List

[Brezzin]

The problem with the downloading of charts and printing them is that most people don't have large scale printers. So you end up printing a bunch of 8x11 pages to get to the detail you need. It make charting a course rather a major PIA. The downloads are ok if you use them in a PC based plotter with free software but other than that it leaves a lot to be desired. I have both a raymarine e80 (nav station) and a e120 (helm) with the navionics platinum charts, yet I still prefer paper charts because I can get a large scale look very quick at my cruising ground. The free charts just don't do it for me. BTW I have the Chart kit from Maptec.

[Gryzio]

Originally Posted by Brezzin

The problem with the downloading of charts and printing them is that most people don't have large scale printers. So you end up printing a bunch of 8x11 pages to get to the detail you need. It make charting a course rather a major PIA. The downloads are ok if you use them in a PC based plotter with free software but other than that it leaves a lot to be desired. I have both a raymarine e80 (nav station) and a e120 (helm) with the navionics platinum charts, yet I still prefer paper charts because I can get a large scale look very quick at my cruising ground. The free charts just don't do it for me. BTW I have the Chart kit from Maptec.

I have the Electronic charts and for myself they can be a little frustrating trying to scroll around on the computer. With a paper chart I can roll it out and get a Bird's Eye view of the big picture.

I also have a few Pocket Charts for a quick reference in the cockpit. Those you need 20/80 vision or a good magnifying glass. I buy them rolled and not folded.
This is them here;
http://www.noaachartsonline.com/

I will probably lean toward the Print-on-Demand (POD) charts. I think at the OceanGrafix I may have found a Remote Printer that offer a good discount for a Bulk rate. I just need to read more of what being said. It looked to be about $500 +/- worth of charts for around $270. Just need to go back and find where it was at.

[Gryzio]

They are Black and White and not Color.

Has anyone used the Black and White? I did not see a sample and wonder how confusing they would be? Guess I could color them with Highlighters! Maybe not.

Well my head hurting now from searching and reading. I take a Beer break.

Thanks for the help and anything else will be appreciated.

[Omatako]

As the tip of your mast disappears below the surface, you will probably not be thinking about how much money you have saved with the home-printed charts going to the bottom instead of real charts . Buy proper charts, your life could depend on it.

It is also true that some insurance companies will reject a claim if it is found that home-printed or photo-copied charts were being used for navigation.

Andre

[sailingdog]

Understandably, since not having proper charts would constitute negligence on the part of the owner.

Originally Posted by Omatako

...It is also true that some insurance companies will reject a claim if it is found that home-printed or photo-copied charts were being used for navigation.

Andre

[Brezzin]

Originally Posted by Omatako

As the tip of your mast disappears below the surface,
Andre

No this won't happen. The reef I just hit would be holding my boat up.