There was a time, not so long ago, when offshore cruisers were equipped with a navigation station, or chart table, worthy of an aircraft carrier captain.
While the current trend is to turn it into a small retractable desk for a tablet, this piece of furniture offered the immense advantage of being able to unfold a chart on it. Knowing how to use a paper chart is essential for a good navigator.
The paper chart covers a very large area. Much larger than the widest multifunction LCD screen or the most imposing tablet.
Thinking big doesn't mean covering 160 NM a day! It means getting to know the notable topographical features of the entire area.
And yes, once you've set off, you always deviate from your route!
Drift, currents, tides, wind shifts, and botched maneuvers are all factors that can cause us to deviate from a route.
The time spent studying the route and its context before setting sail should be seen as a time investment for safety. In the event of an incident, the skipper already knows their diversion options, which is essential for making good decisions.
It is true that when sailing, it is common to have to change your plans while underway.
A broken mainsail batten, a furler that jams when sailing shorthanded, the wind freshening and shifting… All these events create many reasons for a diversion.
But, before diverting, you must be able to decide on an alternative route and a potential shelter, as well as the related navigation constraints.
Diverting to a shelter whose characteristics and constraints you already know from prior study ensures a relaxed atmosphere.
So, why not keep a few copies on board, those for your main sailing area for example! Don't hesitate to use paper charts; besides, they hardly take up any space!
Need help understanding nautical charts and making good use of them?
Videos on this subject are available in our level 2
