Okbayou Navigation

Charts

I started using BSB chart kits when I first started sailing in Florida. It didn't take long before the whole book was outdated. Instead of buying a whole new chart book I started buying just the charts I needed from Waterproof Charts. After about a year, I decided to go with Maptech's digital charts. I still use the waterproof chart as a backup, but the Chart Navigator software from Maptech made it a lot easier to create and save waypoints and then download them to the GPS. A printout of routes and waypoints are kept in a binder for reference on board. I start planning a course by picking the waypoints I will need from a digital chart. I make sure that there are no obstructions or other hazards to navigation a safe distance to either side of a line between two waypoints. As a backup, I can figure out the new waypoint from the paper chart by using dividers.
More recently I have switched to Fugawi Marine ENC software which allows me to use Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) which are free. Now even the RNC(Raster Navigational Charts) are free. See the links below under "Other Navigation Links". ENC's are not available for every area but the list changes almost daily as new ones are added. RNCs are available for all areas. A program called EasyGPS is available which allows you to move waypoints and routes between the GPS and a PC. This program allows people with different GPSs and software to share waypoints. I have used this as a backup to the Fugawi and Maptech programs which also do the same thing. Since the Fugawi software can use all three formats (free ENC, RNC, and Maptech) I use it more often than the Maptech software. Waypoints displayed on one format chart can also be seen on another format using Fugawi. Maptech has a couple of advantages over Fugawi as far as updates go. When you download the latest chart and display with Maptech it shows any updates from local notice to mariners while Fugawi doesn't. The only thing the Maptech chart viewer cannot do is show actual position while underway and ENC charts. ENC charts should display faster than RNC charts but I really can't tell any difference. Text is always easier to see on an ENC chart regardless of zoom level.

GPS

I started out with a Garmin GPS II+ and then went to a Garmin 126 GPS. I went to this model because the display is bigger and easier to work with and it has an anchor drag alarm. The alarm output is wired in parallel to the horn button which activates a relay to sound the horn. I still carry the Garmin II+ GPS as a backup. I have just completed an upgrade to a Garmin 152. Since the 152 and 126 are the same size and fit the same mount and are plug compatible, it was as simple as it gets to upgrade. I have also added a wind instrument and a Navpod housing. The picture on the right shows the upgrade.
I use the plot function to display the active route as a line between the waypoints. I can see immediately any affects of wind or current on my intended path.
I use Fugawi software to download routes and waypoints from a digital chart to the GPS. A printed list of a route is a good backup in case GPS is out of service for some reason.

GPS
I still carry paper charts as a backup. I use the Breton plotter ( now sold as the PORTLAND COURSE PLOTTER ) to lay out a compass course. In addition to the pedestal compass, I have two hand bearing compasses.

Local Notice to Mariners

Before starting a cruise a good way to get up to speed on the area is to download the latest local notice to mariners from the USCG website. This site will keep you up to date on any hazards, construction, changes, etc. Any late breaking news can be heard while monitoring channel 16 on your marine radio. The USCG will usually break in a couple of times a day and tell you to switch to channel 22 for the latest local notice to mariners. US Coast Guard Nav Center website.
US Coast Guard Nav Center backup site to be used when the main site is down for maintenance or some other reason.

Tide Tables

The following tidal current tables for 2008 are available from NOAA:

Tidal Current Predictons
Tidal Current Predictions for Keys and SW Florida.
Also available are tide tables for 2008:
Tide Tables

Google Earth

This is a cool way to see our actual track of where we have cruised in the keys. Download the latest Google Earth program here if you don't already have Google Earth running on your computer. Download one of my tracks exported from the Fugawi program. From file explorer, unzip the file. Start Google Earth and then click on file in the upper left hand corner. Click on open and select one of the files previously downloaded below. This will show our actual track.

Track file from Boca Grande Key which is west of Key West, to Key West Bight, including stops at Galeon Marina, KW city marina for pumpout, and then North through Calda Channel to our next anchorage near Johnston Key.
Track file from Jewfish Basin to Key West. This even shows the path taken into our assigned slip in Garrison Bight Marina.
Check back later for additional tracks.