Anchorage Chart-lets/mud-maps - How?

[Andrew G]

The association I'm a member of is thinking of producing some chart-lets/mud-maps of say 30 anchorages. They need to have enough detail to show key features and approximate depths. They will refer to the appropriate chart for navigational detail and accuracy and will have carefully worded disclaimers, we also have to respect chart producers Copywrite etc. – this will be checked by legal people. (Thus we cannot just take a screen snapshot of electronic charts - or can we??). We would collect text of key features using local knowledge.
They will be made available to cruisers at virtually cost price (ie not for profit).

Once upon a time one might have traced the shoreline off the chart, rowed a boat around with a lead line and recorded depth and time against a (GPS) fix. Each depth reading would then have been reduced from the predicated datum at that time, possibly using a simple cosine curve rather than site by site predictions. (Don’t forget that errors in depth measurement and failure to correct for pressure differences etc are likely to produce greater inaccuracies). We don't have the funds to buy a lot of software or gear - but some would be OK.

What are the options today? Many thanks, Andrew

[JPA Cate]

You know, you guys should get in touch with Alan Lucas. He's been doing this for years, and he might be delighted to help the new generation. He writes frequently for Afloat, Cruising Helmsman, and even TCP, and I'm sure they might be able to put you in touch with one another.

Ann

[AnchorageGuy]

Andrew, All of our anchorage guides are laid out with chartlets and anchorage details on each page. Our guides are copyrighted and approval from chart sources acquired. Licensed chart providers that sell their charts will want a fee for the use of their charts and it can be expensive. Chuck

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[Andrew G]

Hi Ann and Chuck. Yes Alan is on our list of people to talk to. Some of our members have met him and we all have his books.
We have some hand drawn chartlets done by members but they are way out of date and nowhere as good as yours Chuck. I'm looking for a modern way of doing what Alan and others have been doing, by hand, for years. We will be talking to chart providers too.
One option is to not do chartlets but only text. But this would reduce its effectiveness.
Cheers, Andrew

[AnchorageGuy]

Andrew, The feedback from our users is overwhelmingly positive on using the chartlets. One of our close competitors uses text only and when our books are compared to those for anchorage information the users always prefer ours. Many boaters, like myself are more visual and sometimes can misread the intent of a text where the chartlets leave little doubt. When comparing the chartlets to the information on the larger charts on a plotter or full size paper charts, the text becomes just further clarification. Good luck with your project. Chuck