Chartplotter/GPS/etc question

[jschrade]

One of the benefits of the Mac/PC/iPhone/iPad is that you can get software that uses the actual NOAA charts and can download the most current charts available. When doing my research, one of the pros for Garmin was that it came with lots of charts. The problem is that if they are not accurate, then they are worthless.

I have found some serious flaws in the Garmin charts on the 541s that I purchased this year that would run you aground. It almost got me coming in Hurricane Pass and it were not for a fisherman's silhouette standing on the beach that the Garmin said was water, I would have likely hit it.

Jim

[vmohome]

Right on Jim I fly an A320.....seems many of us pilots are sailors.....seems like a natural to us I guess.

I think navionics supplies chart data to other companies like raymarine etc....but dont quote me on it.

I would think if you had a waterproof case for an ipad that would be ultimate!!

[jschrade]

Old Coast Guard C130 navigator here!

Jim

[vmohome]

Right on!!

We would probably be surprised how many aviators are out there sailing!!

[Divecoz]

Someone smarter than me will have to answer this/ these questions..
1. Aren't Charts .... pretty much charts?
2.Don't ? Most of them derive from a common source?
3.As I have read.... Aren't many a 100 years old or older? That number seemed far fetched so maybe 50 years?? But as I recall it came from a (?) reliable source.(some sailing magazine)
4. Florida and no doubt a zillion other places with waterways are seeing constant change... daily, weekly, no less than monthly?

I dont live in any of those area's ( yea I am P.O. about that ) But my brother lives in Florida ( Port Charlotte, he and his buds are out, on one of their boats no less than every week) and he says those things change Allllllll the time.
He was adamant about me using line of sight ( common sense) and my depth sounder all the time.. NOT to rely strictly on GPS or even Markers..

[DaveB]

I live just South of Port Charlotte and 2 weekends ago I launched at the new Bokkelia boat ramp to meet up with the West Coast Trailer Sailors at Cayo Costa. I usually launch at the Cape Coral Yacht basin and sail the 28nm to Cayo Costa but we had to leave late so made the 6nm to Cayo Costa and arrived just after Sunset.
The channel markers and outside bouys are often relocated along with most of the inlets from the Gulf.
Charts are Charts for boaters not Maps that are used for land driving, many chips are called Map chips that are used for navigation and should be called Chart Chips.
There are Charts that info was taken based on soundings taken more than a 100 years ago especially in the Carribean and I used many of them.Down there most areas don't change much.
I update my charts by downloading Noaa chart sections and print them.I than cut and tape them togeather and cut out the compass rose at tape it to the Chart. I am a cheap O but doesn't take me long and get current data.
I mainly eye ball and use my Garmin Etrex for speed over ground and distance traveled as eye ball navigation is the rule down in SW Florida.
I am considering upgradeing to a Garmin 76cx or Garmin 440's as prices have come down a lot from 3 years ago.
Dave

Someone smarter than me will have to answer this/ these questions..
1. Aren't Charts .... pretty much charts?
2.Don't ? Most of them derive from a common source?
3.As I have read.... Aren't many a 100 years old or older? That number seemed far fetched so maybe 50 years?? But as I recall it came from a (?) reliable source.(some sailing magazine)
4. Florida and no doubt a zillion other places with waterways are seeing constant change... daily, weekly, no less than monthly?

I dont live in any of those area's ( yea I am P.O. about that ) But my brother lives in Florida ( Port Charlotte, he and his buds are out, on one of their boats no less than every week) and he says those things change Allllllll the time.
He was adamant about me using line of sight ( common sense) and my depth sounder all the time.. NOT to rely strictly on GPS or even Markers..