Legal digital charts for Thailand wanted

[Wannabe-007]

Hey hey,

I'm going to Thailand to charter a cat for a bit.

I use OpenCPN when sailing around in NZ with the free charts and I like it. (Running a PC tablet)

However, after a couple of frustrating hours searching the web, I can not find any way to acquire legal digital charts for the area.

I'm not interested in pirated charts. If I can't buy or acquire what I want legally, i'll make do without. Paper nav is just fine... I just like my gadgets .

I think I can get something from Navionics for around $50, but i've heard their PC app doesn't actually work with a USB GPS Dongle... so its really just for planning, and i prefer paper for that anyway.


Is there any legitimate and economical to get what I want?

[JNoel]

Whe you are say "PC app doesn't actually work with a USB GPS Dongle" have you tried Bad Flf. I have heard good things about them and then youn can use the Navionics APP. if you want to see the area charts go to the Navionics web site click on the Web APP are to look at there viewer. it covers the world.

[Wannabe-007]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I have no idea what 'Bad Flf' is, and Google doesn't know either...
I've used the Navionics website to look at the charts, but what I'm looking for is real-time chart plotting. ie. The same thing I do with OpenCPN + NZ Charts + PC Tablet + USB GPS Dongle.
I've resigned to the fact that I can either download the Navionics app on my phone, which is a bit of waste of money for a one week trip, or just live without the toys, and use good ole fashioned paper based navigation .

[Sindbad]

It is Bad Elf. For planing cruising in Thailand this website maybe useful. http://www.southeastasiapilot.com/

Terry used to have charts on his site, but don't ask me if legit http://yachtvalhalla.net/update.htm

[Emmalina]

I do a lot of work with the charter companies in Thailand and they all supply paper and digital charts on the boats and a comprehensive guide. Try this Southeast Asia Pilot - the definitive cruising guide for the Andaman Sea...and more
Hey Sindbad I used to live in Hammamet in the 80's Do you go to the bars around there ? If so say hello to Kate in the viewpoint if you do thanks.

[Wannabe-007]

Ahhh... Bad Elf is a bluetooth GPS... fancy. I have a USB one, so i'm good on that front.
That SE Asia Pilot looks like a nice cruising guide, and will be some great reading before I head off - thanks.
I looked through Terry's stuff, and it's interesting, although not really what I'm looking for. It looks like he uses Google Earth to supplement chart data, and give a much richer 'above water' view of things. What im interested in is more traditional chart data - ie. depths & obstructions.
On the plus side, it does all look perfectly legit to me - ie. he's using Google Earth data which is freely available.

Maxsea is also an option - I found the Maxsea chart... but I almost fell off my perch at the price tag - €500.

[JNoel]

Sorry I did mean Bad Elf. Hit the wrong key.

[Sindbad]

Originally Posted by Emmalina

Hey Sindbad I used to live in Hammamet in the 80's Do you go to the bars around there ? If so say hello to Kate in the viewpoint if you do thanks.

Hi Emmalina, not much chance to explore the bar scene in Hammamet. We sailed Laroobaa from Port Napoleon to Yasmine Hammamet and left 3 days later. Will go back in Juli

[Emmalina]

Originally Posted by Sindbad

Hi Emmalina, not much chance to explore the bar scene in Hammamet. We sailed Laroobaa from Port Napoleon to Yasmine Hammamet and left 3 days later. Will go back in Juli

OK Sinbad no prob. Have a good sail.
Bit too cold for me that part of the world at the moment.
Getting soft in the tropics

[fabricator-ken]

A friend of mine bought Maxsea paid thousands. Then found out they are exactly the same as the CM93 charts used in C map for free. There were no updates or changes we checked, what a rip off.