Paper Chart Storage

[Derrick Serrer]

Hello all,
I am looking for new and innovative ideas on Paper Chart Storage on a small boat. I have an Alberg 30 and space is at a premium. I do not like the idea of rolled charts in a tube and was wondering if anyone else has come up with a better idea?
Thanks
Derrick

[Boomp]

Get a 2 or 3 inch piece of pvc tubing w end caps the apx. length of your charts. They are easily stored and rugged while keeping water out.

[Zephyr's Aura]

I have a small rack made of teak attached to the roof over my chart table. It is hinged at the back and has a hook on the front. It's 2 inches or so deep and roughly 2 foot by 3 foot. I fold my charts to fit, usually one fold sometimes two. It just depends on the chart. Everything is up overhead nice and neat and out of the way.

Tim

[Evan]

Fold them! Rolled charts are a huge pain, always wanting to roll themselves back up. Folded into 1/4's they are much more manageable, and they can sit under bunk cushions.

[Microship]

My boat came with an overhead storage box, much like Tim described - here are a couple of photos that might help.

Steve

[David M]

I fold mine. Its a big pain in the rear to roll them. I use electronic charts 99.9% of the time anyways. When I do need a paper chart (most of my work now is within sight of land) its no big deal to have to deal with a few creases. Its not like they are being folded as small as a car map.

You can also buy the charts that are already folded. They are not as salty looking as an unfolded genuine NOAA chart, but they work.

[Pelagic]

In Libraries they keep all their charts hanging by reinforcing one edge with plastic tape and then hole punch that edge for the curved rods that scissor out to create an opening when the bottom hinged front is swung all the way out.

Always wondered if you could apply that in a boat

[Derrick Serrer]

Thanks everyone!
I really like Steve's (Microship) chart storage! I think that is exactly what I will build. Up high, out of the way, still lie flat, and it looks amazing!
Derrick

[Talbot]

I like the look of microchips storage.

Both ships and real chart stores keep their charts folded as half charts stored in a folio cover for that area of the world. The folios are kept in draws about 2-3" deep.

Personally I use electronic charts and keep what paper charts I want folded in half under a bunk.

[nautical62]

On my pocket cruiser I put them in very large plastic chart protective sleeves and placed them under the settee cushions.

[defjef]

I used to store them under the mattress and salon cushions - you can buy large plastic sleeves to protect them. Not a bad solution.

I then built a 5 sided teak box which is set on berth (after cabin) next to a bulkhead and then attached a piano hinge so it can fold up against the bulkhead. The box is a few inches thick and has pad eyes and bungy chords to hold the chartssecure when opening or closing the drop lid chart storage. This also allows me to look at them "comfortably" and there's a light right above for the berth. It only took a few inches from the length of the bunk, and adds a lot of convenient and accessible chart storage and it's attractive too. The box is held in place by two ss eye bolts which act as pins a hole is drilled from each side at the top into small blocks which receives the eye bolts. They are easy to remove and quite secure.

If you have a similar location this works!

[Zach]

DefJef:

Could you snap a picture of that beauty? Sounds like a lovely design!

[defjef]

Lemme try to attach a pic or two

[Talbot]

I can see the bottom hinges, but how do you secure the top?