T&T: Nautical charts

[Milt Baker]

This is a bit far afield of Bill's original post, but anyone truly interested in how nautical charts are created, in using them, and in their limitations ought to get a copy of Nigel Calder's very readable treatise on the subject, How to Read a Nautical Chart http://tinyurl.com/8ksq6g

The book explains nautical charting from the original hydrographic survey right through every step to published paper chart and electronic versions, both vector and raster.  For those inclined to trust a paper chart or an electronic chart, it's a real eye-opener!  Truth be told, the navigation equipment most of us are using aboard our trawler yachts is more accurate than that used by most of the surveyors on whose work our charts are based.

As someone who sold paper and electronic charts for many years, I believe How to Read a Nautical Chart puts nautical charts and their shortcomings in proper perspective; it's one of the most approachable books on nautical charts I've ever read.  Read it once and you'll never feel the same way about paper or electronic charts again.  And you'll be a much wiser consumer of both paper and electronic charts.

All that said, when I cruise in the Bahamas I rely on Monty and Sara Lewis's Explorer Charts, both paper and electronic (in Nobeltec).  Other charts come close, but nobody else's present all the Bahamas with as much accuracy and clarity.    

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale