Working with Maps and Charts Kayaking

[@patrickh621]

the add-on-scene shows what I like about maps/printouts: You can stand around it in a briefing/debriefing, point at things and everybody gets the point in the complete context. Compare that to a phone/gps screen where the zoom factor is unclear, the orientation is not evident, where the screen is not legible to half the group in the glaring sun and some index finger obscures the view for the rest.

[@AdventureOtaku]

An incredibly accurate point. I’m going to remember that next time I am teaching a group nav class.

[@gmontlake]

Great video. Traditional navigation is becoming a lost art but has a lot of advantages.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Very true!

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Love maps, have heaps of them. I did a subject called "Technical Drawing" way back in the day and mapwork/chart plotting was part of that. Good to see we're on your world map; so many of our countries embassies overseas had world maps that didn't even include us! I do use a very basic old GPS, about 2004 vintage Garmin, on the kayak to keep track of distance, speed and time.

[@AdventureOtaku]

2004, that is vintage alright. Any idea the model?

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

@@AdventureOtaku Garmin eTrex. The original. Still hook it up to a PC.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Interesting because my Garmin Dakota, maybe 2008? I had to replace it because it would no longer connect to my computer…. Keep it going.

[@johnlopez5373]

Nice to see you referenced Booklet Charts. That's what I use. I print out connecting sections then photocopy double sided then laminate them. Works great and fits under my deck bungie cords so its always avavailable. Its also not thst expensive to create. The Booklet Charts are free online so the only cost is the lamination material and the one time cost of the small laminate machine.

[@wendelbordelon660]

Do you prefer laminated vs waterproof paper?

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah I would rather just print on waterproof paper. but whatever works.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I prefer waterproof paper, a number of people have already said they prefer laminating. They become stiffer when laminated, but harder to mark them up (grease pencil only)

[@tehbieber]

Re: NOAA charts, NOAA has a custom chart tool that I've found really useful. It's a little rough around the edges but they have a new version coming out soon that I'm really looking forward to

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yup. Ive used it. Maybe it has been updated once already, when I used it, it was awful.

[@kevinharding2099]

I laminate my chart because it becomes stiff and fairly indestructible, but I cannot write on it unless I use a grease pencil. My big problem seems to be dealing with tides here in the shallow Maine coast (Casco Bay). It is difficult to know exactly when I’m going to run out of water or where I have to be concerned about tidal flow that I don’t want to paddle against. Tide charts help a great deal, but I’ve been fooled several times. I have avoided a lot of long narrow inlets because if you get the tide wrong you will be caught in a fast tidal flow that you cannot paddle against. I’m still learning.

[@AdventureOtaku]

so when I am doing a big trip, Ill print tide charts and use the fancy "packing tape lamination method" and put them in my chart case. Even so you can get caught. Ive seen some software that does current info, but it is still pretty pricy for me. If I lived in Maine I would consider it more.

[@wendelbordelon660]

NOAA makes the charts and chart books available for download. I have been printing my own pages on waterproof paper for a while. It allows me to have the area I need. Now what I really wish I could have is overlay on the sat photos but orthophoto is complicated. I can dream. Thanks for the reminder of the options.

[@AdventureOtaku]

hmmm.... you could take the sat photo and the chart into photo shop and lay them over that way and reprint.... that isn't a bad idea....

[@BruceBabcock-n4y]

Many of these things hold true in Canada, although charts and topos are increasingly difficult to acquire, and no longer updated by the government, in the printed version. One thing about Google maps to be aware of is the infrequency of updates. For example, the IKEA in Halifax NS is still shown as a construction site, despite opening pre pandemic. Topos, charts, and Google are no more than a guide, as often camping spots, and some passages, can be altered or eliminated by winter storms and hurricanes.

[@AdventureOtaku]

the map thing is just like the US.... thanks for bringing us up to "Canada Speed."

[@SeaKayakingAfter50]

Thanks for this video. Its been one of my newer hobbies during this summer after 3 years paddling. I have the Seal Line chart carrier with the zip that needs pressing and its a nightmare already so agree with the velcro approach once I find one. I am trying to develop my own solution for my trips. With regards to charts, my walls are covered in Great Lakes NOAA charts, for the initial analysis of trips, and then I do work on the computer for the second phase of planning. I bought a color printer (refillable with no cartridge Epson one) and a laminator, and I am delighted. The printer investment is about $350 but the ink lasts for 4,000 prints (testing at the moment) and the refillable ink is not that expensive. I should be able to compensate that versus going to a printing shop fast. The laminator was super cheap for the use I give it (Sharp one). On a final comment: I just finished my Trip Planning Excel Sheet where I follow a similar process to what you describe. Google Earth or similar, then NOAA charts. I enter the main waypoints for the trip in the sheet: Lat / Long, Bearning True / Magnetic, Distance, Average time (without conditions). I programmed the sheet with a few formulas so the Magnetic North is calculated once I insert the Variation from the charts. It's a great "winter" or "rainy" day exercise which has proven very useful for trips of up to 6-7 days.

[@AdventureOtaku]

make sure you can adjust the declination so when you plan a trip further away your calculations are still good! Yeah, I have charts on the wall of my office as well. At the moment they are Alaska. even though I have no plans to go back (at the moment.)

[@johnlopez5373]

I prefer laminated. It's easier to replace. You can do it yourself as many times as you need so if it's lost or damaged it's no big deal. Plus the Booklet Charts are less bulky.

[@AdventureOtaku]

booklet charts are great but they aren't available for every chart. At least the last time I checked.

[@Simon_W74]

Charts and navigation are of great interest to me, I will be looking at doing Sea Kayaking Navigation Courses in the future, When we go out as a Club I always have a look on our Ordinance Survey Maps so I know where we are going. When I was planning off grid camping trips with the family 7 years ago I was pouring over maps and looking at Google Earth to see what was the lay of the land for a few potential places to camp if we couldn't get onto the first spot or following spots, I would have several back ups just incase. When I was driving a Truck for a living I would sometimes spend hours looking at what was around me when parked up for the night. I had a large collection of street maps as well and the main road atlas. Sadly I have tended to rely to much on Sat Nav, but do still keep a road map in my car or motorhome for those occasions where we need to make a detour due to traffic issue. As I prefer to keep moving than just sitting in traffic getting pee'd off. Great video as always Brett.

[@AdventureOtaku]

thanks for watching Simon.

[@gsmad9738]

Ha,I could have written that. Exactly the same applies to me. Love my old A to Z maps from back in the day. Uk based.

[@twiggyll1803]

Great info, as usual. But Eloise stole the show.

[@AdventureOtaku]

She always does…

[@JonasAlexanderson]

I use navigation charts 90% of the time. Use some Topo maps, got an InReach with Open Street map and my phone on flight mode packed in a small dry bag. The InReach for security and as a backup, the phone as second backup. My charts are always put in a map case “north up” (north towards the bow of the kayak), much because I’m used to that as an professional navigator (ship´s captain and a ship pilot with more than 45 years experience at sea). I have two or three chart cases with the Velcro, on is an Ortlieb. I have the same bad experience with the zip-ock type. A good video you have here. Í’m thinking of making a video about navigating in a kayak from my perspective. Do you still work for NOLS? I been to Prince William Sound with NOLS 2012 and 2016.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I work for NOLS wilderness Medicine. I no longer work for Expeditions.

[@JonasAlexanderson]

@@AdventureOtaku Nice! I sometimes work for Lena Conlan but not as a full instructor.

[@AdventureOtaku]

@JonasAlexanderson I worked with Lena once, a LONG time ago. I remember her being pretty great.