Want To Buy: Charts for Panama Canal

[goldbeard]

Greetings All,

I'm headed down the West Coast through the Panama Canal and I'm looking for all the paper charts for Mexico and Central America.

I am looking to purchase, but if you are local to Washington or Oregon, I have a bunch of stuff for barter. I also accept gifts!

[Paul L]

There is a chart book for about $100 that covers Mexico to Panama on the Pacific side. Good back up to electronic charts and easy to store.

[Misiu]

I have the chart book Paul mentioned. How soon do you need it? I have it on the boat in Bocas del Toro and may bring it next time I'll be flying back to San Francisco...

[John A]

I used the chartbook mentioned in my sail from SF to Panama. Be aware that some (most) of the surveys were taken in the late 1800's and don't match GPS readings. Some plotters use the datum from the charts and it is not uncommon to be anchored somewhere and the plotter displays your position as being two miles inland.

[Misiu]

Originally Posted by John A

I used the chartbook mentioned in my sail from SF to Panama. Be aware that some (most) of the surveys were taken in the late 1800's and don't match GPS readings. Some plotters use the datum from the charts and it is not uncommon to be anchored somewhere and the plotter displays your position as being two miles inland.

Yes, I remember sailing inland in Puerto Vallarta and couple of other areas.
Isn't it true for all charts for the area with error? My C-maps and paper charts were 'error consistent'.

[Misiu]

Originally Posted by John A

I used the chartbook mentioned in my sail from SF to Panama. Be aware that some (most) of the surveys were taken in the late 1800's and don't match GPS readings. Some plotters use the datum from the charts and it is not uncommon to be anchored somewhere and the plotter displays your position as being two miles inland.

We also used Sarana's guidebooks for Central America
Guide Books -- Cruising Guide Books to Central America
With the waypoints physically obtained at the location it takes away some of the guesswork.

[John A]

Depths on the charts were taken by leadline, and anomalies on the seafloor were plotted by dragging a chain between two boats.

Try to obtain a cruising guide written by someone who has plotted the anchorages by being there with a GPS and depthsounder.

[Misiu]

Originally Posted by John A

Depths on the charts were taken by leadline, and anomalies on the seafloor were plotted by dragging a chain between two boats.

Try to obtain a cruising guide written by someone who has plotted the anchorages by being there with a GPS and depthsounder.

I believe Eric Baicy did it.

[Continuing]

Made the trip from Mexico to Panama and on to Florida last year. Definitely purchase and download the inexpensive Central America Cruising Guide by Eric Baicy. We printed and put in a binder. He has another book for Costa Rica and western Panama. The Panama Cruising Guide by Eric Bauhaus is good for the Las Perlas and the Atlantic side of Panama.