GL: Free chart plotter software and charts

[Bob DeGroot]

And don't forget the free chart plotter software (www.seaclear.net). Works
just like the $300 software. Add a hockey puck GPS, plug it in your laptop
and you're good to go. 

You can get everything (including GPS puck and charts on DVD) for $80 from
http://www.midbaymarine.com/bu-353.html (we did).

Or just go out and buy the GPS and download the chart plotter software and
charts free right now.

It's a great way to have an inexpensive primary or backup chart plotter.

I'm looking at the $150 - $200 monitor (bright screen display) as a back up
as well for the fly bridge. Radio Shack sells a 350 watt inverter for about
$40 and cigarette lighter connection to run it on. 

Best,
Bob

Bob DeGroot, D.C.H.
M/V Spirit Dancer
DeFever 49 CPMY
Lakewood Yacht Club - Seabrook, Texas
MTOA # 1896 - DeFever Cruisers # 857
Great Loop Assoc. (AGLCA) # 427
Texas Mariners Cruisers Association
www.BoaterSites.com
Cell (713) 876-8787


-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces at lists.samurai.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces at lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Al Thomason
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:55 PM
To: pwbolin at earthlink.net; great-loop at lists.samurai.com
Subject: Re: GL: Electronic Charts for Nobeltec and Maptech software

You should be able to download free charts compatable with Maptech (not sure
about Nobeltec).  Note that there are 'two' types of charts Vector ENC, and
older Raster charts.  You might have just down loaded the wrong type.  You
can download each from NOAA here:
ENC:    http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/MCD/enc/index.htm
Raster:  http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm

Or, if you just want the raster charts, Maptech has a web site that presents
a bit better format: http://freeboatingcharts.com/  you can download them if
you have a high speed connection; they also offer to sell you CDs mailed to
you.


And there is also a free program Sea Clear that is rather useful as well. 
It is fully compatable with the Raster charts: 
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/


Good luck!
-al-



----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Bolin" <pwbolin at earthlink.net>
To: <great-loop at lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:14 AM
Subject: GL: Electronic Charts for Nobeltec and Maptech software


> Boaters:
>
>
>
> I've read lot about electronic charts for use on a computer, but paid 
> little
> attention until I purchased the boat laptop and got Nobeltec and Maptech
> lite software.  Now I'm searching for electronic charts.  Going to NOAA 
> got
> lots of charts for free but they are not recognized by the software.
>
>
>
> Is it the case I must purchase charts to use in these software packages,
> beyond what I have now or is there a place to get electronic charts on the
> "cheap" to use with these packages on my laptop?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Phil and Carey Bolin
>
> Apolonia, 43' Vista
>
> 804-761-3425
>
> web page:   <http://home.earthlink.net/~pwbolin>
> http://home.earthlink.net/~pwbolin
>
> email:   <mailto:pwbolin at earthlink.net> pwbolin at earthlink.net
> _______________________________________________
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