MacGregorSailors.com

http://earthnc.com/chartviewer/

Seems to be pretty useful as a planning tool...at least to me. I use to use the http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa/ site but I can no longer find the NOAA charts...only the map and satellite views.

Cheers,
Jim

Thanks for sharing, looks like a useful tool. Do you have a technique for printing the images for the region you're looking for other than using your browser's print function? I would probably try to maximize the viewable area as much as possible in the browser (remove browser toolbars, status bar, etc), then take a screen capture and print from photoshop after removing all extraneous regions of the image...

RSAN,

I don't really see a need to print. I only use paper charts (or these types of programs) to plan and "chair sail". On the water I depend on my chart plotter ( and I have a hand-held back-up GPS). For any out-of-area or "long" trips I will have my laptop with downloaded charts for "Sea Clear II" with me but secured down in the cabin.

But I don't sail with paper charts in the cockpit...or refer to them while underway. I do have paper charts of my main sailing areas.

Stand by for the burning comments coming my way....

But to answer your question...I don't have a technique for printing charts.

Cheers,
Jim

c130king wrote:RSAN,

I don't really see a need to print. I only use paper charts (or these types of programs) to plan and "chair sail". On the water I depend on my chart plotter ( and I have a hand-held back-up GPS). For any out-of-area or "long" trips I will have my laptop with downloaded charts for "Sea Clear II" with me but secured down in the cabin.

But I don't sail with paper charts in the cockpit...or refer to them while underway. I do have paper charts of my main sailing areas.

Stand by for the burning comments coming my way....

But to answer your question...I don't have a technique for printing charts.

Cheers,
Jim

That's not so bad, I practice similar techniques. I keep all paper charts below and bring them topside from time to time and my booklet charts are in a clear plastic cover bags so I don't get them wet. I am guilty of using line of sight. I know the heading for most points across the strait and as I get closer I can basically eyeball where I am going. My handheld chartplotter is handy but I am getting familiar with my sailing area enough that I don't need to refer to it as much, I recognize where I am going, I am not that blind. After a few years of sailing the same area it becomes local knowledge and chart or chartplotter intel is not as heavily depended upon but I do find the depth sounder is used a lot and I really watch the tides to see if they are in my favour. As I venture further I will be back to using more reference material. For now I doubt you will get any burning commentary.