Bahamas using Navionics software

[svfinlandia]

For anyone who frequents the Bahamas and uses Navionics software on your chartplotter - How accurate do you find it to be and do you have any comments about it?

Thanks!

[Gaelen]

Don't use Navionics in the Bahamas, Garmin BlueChart. We've run both side by side multiple years and if your only reference is Navionics, it is far more "when" than "if" you ground.

[travellerw]

Another option is the C-Map charts. They include both the Explorer and Wavy line charts. SUPER accurate.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by travellerw

Another option is the C-Map charts. They include both the Explorer and Wavy line charts. SUPER accurate.

Yep, we found them very reliable thru Exumas last year.

[nautical62]

All the boats I've chartered in the Bahamas have unfortunately used Navionics, as did an ex charter boat I sailed through the Bahamas from bottom to top. I found that for sticking to the main travel routes, the navionics was not a problem. It's a problem when exploring some of the less visited islands and the surrounding shoal areas.

My solution is to bring a tablet and/or iPhone with the Garmin app and garmin charts loaded on it. The charts for the U.S. and Bahamas were only $50, the app was free.

Personally, if frequently cruising the Bahamas, I'd spend the money to switch to a garmin system. If it were just a one time trip or occasional small trips, I'd invest in the garmin app mentioned above.

[witzgall]

Navionics does not supply "Software", they supply electronic charts. What make and model of chartplotter do you have? C-map has an east coast and bahamas 4d product that includes Explorer chart information. It is compatible with much of the Simrad/B&G line. You can go to the cmap website and check compatability with YOUR chartplotter.

Chris

[akprb]

I've used Navionics with no complaints. Alongside raymarine chart plotter was more accurate going into chub cay in pitch black.

All that being said, keep head up and look around.

The Bahamas will show you da way.

[Aquadome]

I've used Navionics charts in my Raymarine E120s in the Bahamas for years. No issues. Remember that there are many areas where visual piloting rules apply no matter what charts you use so use common sense.

[flyingfin]

Having cruised the Bahamas for many years, including the time before GPS, I always use these navigation tools:

1) Old British Admiralty Charts
2) Steve Dodge Cruising Guide
3) Screen shots from google earth for harbors and passages, download snip to your laptop and a thumbdrive
4) Compass and clock
5) GPS for speed and position that will be within 1/4 mile of your actual position

[tdh1849]

For those of us from the old school, I used a Garmin192C with the Bahamas Chip and found it to be wonderful.
Admittedly, this was a few years ago.
And always remember to travel in the Bahamas in the daylight if possile.

( geez, how did I get this old ?)

[Wallaby]

I've used both Navionics (locked into my Raymarine C series) and Explorer (both digital on a Garmin hand-held and paper) in the Bahamas. As a broad generalization, Explorer is more accurate/useful, though Navionics has more contour lines, suggesting it is more accurate. I've now added a second chartplotter with CMap (with explorer), and I use both it and Navionics--checking one against the other. If there is a discrepancy, I go slower.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by tdh1849

For those of us from the old school, I used a Garmin192C with the Bahamas Chip and found it to be wonderful.
Admittedly, this was a few years ago.
And always remember to travel in the Bahamas in the daylight if possile.

( geez, how did I get this old ?)

By avoiding the alternative! Enjoy your sundowner.

[tdh1849]

Re: Enjoy the Sundowner, last week I sailed with pals from the Tampa Sailing Sqd, did 4 hours in Tampa Bay and almost cried.............
Thanks for the reply.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by travellerw

Another option is the C-Map charts. They include both the Explorer and Wavy line charts. SUPER accurate.

===

I'll second that motion. We use the C-Map chart chips on our Furuno plotter and have found them to be very detailed and accurate.

[Lionelsole]

Navionics is very inaccurate when it comes to close navigation. But don't make my mistake and download the waveyline ap to your phone. It may give accurate information but, unlike Navionics ap (where, once you have downloaded an area, it stays in the ap) it requires constant contact to the server so, just as you want to check where a reef is entering harbour or you want to plan a voyage while sitting at anchor out of 3G coverage all you get is 'problem downloading tile'! $27 wasted.