SEAiq question

[karenmccraw]

Question about the Ipad app - SEAiq Open.


I've successfully used it in coastal NC waters using the NOAA free chart downloads.

I want to use it in the Bahamas. Has anyone purchased and downloaded the Bahamas charts from Chartworld.com?

[Bikewfish]

I'm really bummed that you have not yet gotten a response as I have the exact same question. If you happen to find the answer elsewhere, could you please share it with me?

Thanks
Keith


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[karenmccraw]

I was surprised also that no one appears to be using this app!

I eventually found the SEAiq owner's blog and posed the question to them:

Here is their response:

Karen17 February 2015 at 14:07
Hi - we are planning a trip to the Exumas, Bahamas soon and would like to use SEAiq. Will the charts from Chartworld work the same as the vector NOAA charts I have downloaded for the east coast?
ReplyDelete
Replies

1. 
   SEAiq17 February 2015 at 20:43
   Any charts in the S-63 format purchased from ChartWorld (or other S-63 chart vendor) will work similarly to the NOAA charts.
   
   

[colemj]

We use SEAiq, but your question was specifically about Bahamas charts from ChartWorld. I have no experience with those.

One caution - if these charts are not Explorer charts, or based on Explorer data, I would be hesitant to use them for much more than simple guidance. I certainly wouldn't trust their data or positioning.

The old Explorer charts exist in BSB format, and these work just fine with SEAiq. You will need to find someone who has them, as they are not available commercially anymore.

Mark

[Jammer Six]

You're recommending charts that are, by your description, out of date and unmaintained?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

You're recommending charts that are, by your description, out of date and unmaintained?

I have used them extensively throughout the Bahamas and would recommend them without hesitation over the currently available non-Explorer charts.

So yes, I am recommending out of date and unmaintained (I actually don't know what that means in the Bahamas) Explorer charts over any non-Explorer charts.

The OP asked about charts for SEAiq - and I don't know if current Explorer charts exist for this. If they do, they are certainly better than the older ones. If not, then the old ones are better than any other current offering.

If you want to rage against this, I can add further fuel by telling you will be far safer using out of date and unmaintained (and home-made even!) electronic charts in Panama over the currently available commercial ones (Canal zone excluded).

Mark

[Jammer Six]

Doesn't matter to me what you use.

It only matters to me what I use.

[colemj]

If you use the currently available "up-to-date" commercial charts here, you will be aground.

But you will still have your principles.

Mark

[karenmccraw]

OK, so it looks like SEAiq app may not be the easiest to use for the Bahamas.

I am not savvy enough make my own charts or anything like that.

What app/chart combination do folks use for the Bahamas? I mean an app where I can purchase the charts.

This is to be used as a backup and planning tool - we have a Garmin chartplotter in the cockpit. But, of course, I want it to be as accurate as possible.

[colemj]

The only charts worth buying for the Bahamas are the Explorer charts. I think both Garmin and CMap license these data, but I am not certain on Garmin.

In the CMap case, note that you need the specific Bahamas region - the wider region that also covers the Bahamas does not contain the Explorer charts.

Therefore, you would want a charting app that can use these charts.

Navionics have been making a lot of noise lately that their Bahamas products are now good. I don't know about that, but in the past they were very bad.

The Explorer charts are dead-accurate and the only ones I would trust for navigation. Planning can be done with less accurate charts.

Mark

[Dave852]

Navionics work fairly good in the Bahamas now. One example if you are in GT harbor the Navionics are good enough, even have the explorer waypoints now, but if you go inside rudder cut and turn north you are with out soundings. Does not matter to me as I have been there before but for a first timer good advise to have explorer charts on board.


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[Jammer Six]

I wouldn't use a Navionics product. Their editing means they're not NOAA charts anymore, and their editing is terrible.

Look for a source of up-to-date charts.

[Dave852]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

I wouldn't use a Navionics product. Their editing means they're not NOAA charts anymore, and their editing is terrible.



Look for a source of up-to-date charts.

Up to date in the Bahamas is easy. Just assume that any navigation aids you see on whatever charts you are using are not lit and possibly not there and you will be up to date. The land masses are not moving fast enough to worry about:-). Besides navigation in the Bahamas should be by eye only unless you are in deep water or some well traveled routes on the banks.


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[colemj]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

I wouldn't use a Navionics product. Their editing means they're not NOAA charts anymore, and their editing is terrible.

Look for a source of up-to-date charts.

NOAA charts in the Bahamas are terrible, so I don't see the point of this - any editing should make them better.

Mark

[Jammer Six]

Originally Posted by colemj

NOAA charts in the Bahamas are terrible, so I don't see the point of this...

I'm sure that's true.