MacSailing.net

Do anyone know if there is some free download charts?

You mean other than the entire united states? http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/MCD/enc/index.htm

Thank you, but my computer say "Safari can´t open that page" when I try to download free charts.

If you are looking for ENC Charts of the Netherlands have a look here:

www.risserver.nl/ENC

As for the NOAA Server it works for me on my Mac with Safari.

Regards,

Manou

Those NOAA charts linked above are S-57 ENC vector charts that will work with MacENC, but not GPSNavX.

GPSNavX supports BSB raster charts such as those available from Maptech..

http://www.maptech.com/water/digitalchar...infopg=buy

Free raster charts at:

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/

Hi Manou,

I see you reference to www.risserver.nl/ENC.
How do you actually get these files selected in MacENC?

Kind regards,
Igor

in reply to Igor

I did download the complete ENC charts and did setup the same directoy structure. Because all chartnames are only abreviations and difficult to know which name belongs to what chart.
though these charts do have more detailed landscape data as the chartworld ENC charts, I noticed that they are missing a lot of nautical data. Ok they are free, but are missing data. OTOH they are updated frequently.
just load the charts in the chart manager in MacENC.
Regards
Manou

I do have to rectify my answer. Today I tried to load these ENC charts in MacENC 5.90 but it is impossible to read them.
(when sailing I do use another account on my laptop, with only navigation and weather related apps)

Previous versions of MacENC could import the charts correctly.
I don't know if MacENC has changed it's import algorithm or if the S57 charts have changed?

S57 charts don't need any permit number.

10 minutes later...

now I tried MacENC as admin on my laptop and I can import the charts correctly. Don't know what's going wrong here.

MacENC doesn't load the charts directly but first has to create a catalogue which is then imported in MacENC.

Regards

Manou

If a ECatalog.031 file does not exist in the ENC_ROOT folder, MacENC first creates it then imports it into the Chart Manager via the "Add ENC Catalog..." button.

I know that MacENC does create a catalogue but I dont understand why I have to be logged in as admin? If I'm logged as normal user MacENC does not create a catalogue. I have created a catalogue as admin which is correctly if I'm logged in in an another account?

While they're raster, not S57, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jim Innes Sailing Server, which has the largest collection of 'free' charts beyone US waters that I'm aware of. You have to email Jim to get access, but I just looked and there is a folder with what appears to be a large collection of European charts, as well as much of the rest of the world. I think many are older Softcharts, but are quite functional. You can search this site for Jim's name to find both the site and how to access. You need to install Wired Client and get a login/password to access.

The site that Fred lists is great as long as you're interested only in US waters, but getting beyond that there's very little free charting available, other than Jim's.

Scot

how do i unzip the files on my mac that I downloaded from the NOAA site

Double-click on them and they will unzip.