How to Identify the Best Marine Charts for Boating Adventures
Do you have an upcoming coastal cruise planned? Perhaps you’re preparing for a lengthy offshore passage? Either way, choosing the right marine charts is essential for a safe and stress-free voyage. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to know which marine charts are best for boating.
In this article, we’ll break down a few factors to consider when choosing the charts for the job.
Understand Chart Scale
One of the first things to think about is the scale of the chart. A large-scale chart (e.g., 1:25,000) covers a smaller area in more detail, which is ideal for navigating harbour entries and tricky coastlines. A small-scale chart (e.g., 1:250,000) covers a wider area with less detail, which is better for things like passage planning.
Paper Charts vs Electronic Charts
Despite the recent rise of digitisation, paper charts are still a go-to choice for many sailors as they don’t rely on battery life or signal. However, electronic charts are great for planning, zooming and receiving real-time data, like GPS positioning. Just keep in mind that digital charts, like paper charts, should be updated regularly.
Symbols and Depth Soundings
The best marine charts for boating are packed with vital information for safe passages. Key symbols include wrecks, buoys, rocks, anchorage zones and traffic separation schemes. Depth soundings and contour lines are also there to help you assess the seabed profile and avoid grounding.
Investing in a chart legend or nautical chart reading guide can make things a lot simpler for beginners.
Look for Recent Updates
Up-to-date charts are essential as the ocean is always changing, so be sure to check the publication date before making a purchase. Reputable charts like Admiralty and Imray are updated regularly and clearly show when corrections were last made.
Looking for the best marine charts for boating in Australia? Here at Boat Books, we have a wide selection of electronic and paper charts for you to choose from. Additionally, we stock maritime books, sailing manuals, nautical gifts and so much more.
Feel free to contact us if you’d like expert advice regarding marine publications or any additional information about our products.
