How to Properly Care for Your Admiralty Charts
If you’re looking for admiralty charts for sale, Boat Books has everything you need. However, once you’ve you’ve got your hands on these charts, it’s important to ensure that they are properly stored and maintained to preserve them.
Although many mariners like to use digital charts, paper charts are also extremely useful and need to be properly looked after.
Store Your Charts in a Dry Environment
Like any paper product, paper Austalian charts need to be stored away from moisture to prevent them from warping, growing mould, or fading. This means storing your charts in a cool, dry place, away from any direct sunlight or excessive humidity.
If you keep them on your boat, a plastic chart folio cover is your best bet, making it possible to safely lie your charts flat under a bunk or in a chart table. The storage area also needs to be well-ventilated yet free from exposure to salty air so that they don’t deteriorate prematurely.
Use Chart Tubes
One of the best ways to prevent your charts from creasing, folding, or tearing is to roll them up and store them inside a protective chart tube. These will not only waterproof the chart but also keep it safe from physical damage during transit or when being stored.
Be sure to label the tubes clearly with the details of the chart so that you don’t have to keep unrolling them unnecessarily to find the ones you’re looking for. This helps protect your charts while also keeping them well organised.
Always Handle With Clean Hands
If your hands are dirty or wet, you’re going to risk ruining your charts. Any oil, dirt, or moisture from your hands can damage the paper, making it prone to tearing or discolouration.
When you handle your Australian charts, you need to make sure that your hands are clean and dry. You might even want to consider using cotton gloves to protect the paper from any additional contaminants.
Also, it’s advised that you keep food and drink away from your charts when in use.
Regularly Inspect and Rotate
Charts that are in long-term storage can become brittle or damaged over time. Therefore, if you have lots of charts that are not used often, it’s worth the time and effort to periodically inspect them for signs of wear, damage, or moisture.
Consider rotating them on your shelves or in your storage cabinet periodically to prevent them from suffering excessive pressure, which can cause curling or other kinds of damage.
If you notice your charts are damaged, it’s advisable to replace them as soon as possible before they become unusable.
If you are looking for a wide array of Austalian charts for sale, you have come to the right place. Boat Books has everything you need in one convenient place. Contact us now to find out more or browse our website to view the available charts.
