I was just getting ready to order some charts. I was looking at the NOAA 13”X19” “POCKET CHARTS”. These are the size I will be using for the TX-200. However, I’ve sailed that rout before. Since these are not full size charts I was wondering what people who have sailed the outer banks area think of these pocket charts? I will also have my GPS programmed with way points. Also I’m planning on getting charts number 11545 & 11550 will those two give me the coverage I should need?

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John Miller

TX-200 '08 - Busted
TX-200 '09 - Completed
TX-200 '10 - Planning
OBX-130 '10- Not gonna make it

HI John.
A little confession here. We have never used "real" charts before. The area is pretty easy to navigate with a GPS and state distributed fishing guide map. The Guide is sent free to you and also has all the locations of ramps, docks, etc. We have taken printed out pages of the NOAA maps but hardly use them. Are boats are so shallow, and the route so well marked, that we do not worry about it to much. especially with a gps that has waypoints downloaded there is not much to worry about. But the Confession Part is that we should have real maps and do not. We have sailed the area five times, though, and never had a problem. So I guess I would say they cannot hurt! but get the fishing guide too.
I will find the link and post it once I have a minute.
Paul

Well I’ve never used “real” charts before either. There is a difference between sailing an area you are familiar with and an area you have never been to without charts. At $6 each these are just barely cheep enough for me to buy even if I don’t really need them. I am very interested in the fishing guide map; their information usually is more pertinent to small boats.

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John Miller

TX-200 '08 - Busted
TX-200 '09 - Completed
TX-200 '10 - Planning
OBX-130 '10- Not gonna make it

Hi John and Paul,
I have the "Waterproof" chart that covers Cedar Island to Point Lookout and Beaufort. If we stay in Core Sound it will work. Dave

Hi
After much searching I found it once more at the NC wildlife resources page. I do not think this is the map that I used last time and will continue searching for more. I just realized I should go down and find the map in my basement and see where I got it from. But this is something to look at and get for sure. it is free.
Click here for the online order form to send it to your house:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Apps/Media/CBGOrderForm.aspx
click here to see the PDF online:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Boating_Water ... ideMap.pdf
and click here to search a great site about the wildlife you will see along the way!
http://www.ncwildlife.org/index.htm

We will post this to the resources page too.
Paul

I ordered the NOAA pocket charts – boy they are small. They are as detailed, crisp and colorful as the full-size charts just small; you’ll need good eyes to use them. I also ordered the fishing guide map and am hopping it will get here soon.

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John Miller

TX-200 '08 - Busted
TX-200 '09 - Completed
TX-200 '10 - Planning
OBX-130 '10- Not gonna make it

John
A CVS or any pharmacy they make those flat rectangular magnifying glass made of plastic. the cost nothing and seem like they would be perfect for you.
Paul

Sailor John,

I am going to use the pocket charts from the Coast Survey. I can print them out for free on my computer. I also have a GPS with charts.

You might want to check them out. They print out on 81/2x11 paper.

http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/BookletChart/

Mac