NOAA Bookletchart

[DonScribner]

This a step-sister thread to the one about the PNG file chart.

For us weekenders or pocket cruisers, NOAA has a free, downloadable Booklet Chart for all (or most) of the US charts. Each one breaks the chart into indexed letter sized pages, perfect for punching and putting in a 3-ring binder. I printed mine on the color laser at work (don't tell my boss . . . he'll want on too) and slid them into plastic sheet protectors mounted upside-down. A piece of scotch tape alone the bottom and each page is almost water proof. They won't replace a full sized chart for planning purposes, but a note book is much more manageable in the cockpit and it take me a while to sail off the page anyway. Plus I've never lost a notebook to the wind. They aren't for everyone, but worth a glance by all.

NOAA BookletCharts



Fair Winds!

Don

[Minnewaska]

I've tried to use them, but find that even a two or three hour cruise can jump several pages, which I found to be difficult. The pages cover such a small area, that land features I could see were not on the page I was on. In some cases, there were no land features on the page at all and I was only a mile or two from shore. Nevertheless, they are a pretty convenient way to print a chart for free on a home printer in a pinch.

[Allanbc]

These are pretty handy to have around. For planning, nothing beats a full size chart but for use in the cockpit, they are easy to use. I too have mine in plastic sheet protectors. It requires some flipping through the pages sometimes but it is easier than an folded chart.