Navionics charts any good for Bahamas after their 2018 revisions?

[MicHughV]

I don't know why anybody would choose to use a chart plotter in B'mas...a cruising guide book is all you need....gives way more detailed information, recommended courses, etc....

[sck5]

The best navigation aid in the Bahamas is a good pair of polarized sunglasses

[tpuckett]

We had to get Aqua maps that use the explorer chart data. Navionics stop using the explorer data. We had all sorts of errors with Navionics in the Bahamas. I would not use it there..

[GinoDelG]

We have been cruising the Abacos for the past two weeks. I believe many people may be confused between the Navionics charts on chart plotters, such as our Raymarine Axiom, and the Navionics charts on the dedicated Navionics app on the iPad.
Although ten times more expensive, the Navionics charts for our chart plotter are terrible. The Navionics charts on my iPad are amazingly accurate, as long as you have it set on the sonar charts.
Today we went through the Tilloo bank, which is probably the trickiest area in the Bahamas, with no problem. The iPad charts were spot on. We draw 5 feet and our buddy boat 6. I always use the iPad to plot and navigate. I use the chart plotter for general directions and the auto pilot.
Can anyone explain why the much cheaper iPad product is so much more accurate than the much more expensive chart plotter product?

[team karst]

Originally Posted by sck5

The best navigation aid in the Bahamas is a good pair of polarized sunglasses

I’m sure this in jest;
But u will find yourself running either at nite, or under clouds. Maybe i am crazy or otherwise aggressive, but I want enough electronics to do a near zero viz navigation. Maybe my airplane instrument rating has formed that mindset.
Ask yourself if you can reanchor at nite if your drag alarm goes off.
And yes, on high quality polarized glasses PLUS a way to directly block the sun. Baseball cap is good. With lanyard.

[MicHughV]

I (as have many others) have been to the B'mas many, many times, long before the advent of electronic navigational even existed....

Never once had the slightest problem or concern.

These days, folks are too fixated on that damned little screen in front of them, rather then using their eyes and common sense.

Seriously, a working vhf and guidebook would get you, and can still get you, anywhere in the B'mas. Pretty much anywhere you go, one island will hove into sight as the last one disappears over the horizon.
Some good binoculars are a help, but even a cheap set of binoculars is more than capable.

I simply don't get this fixation on electronic devices...lord help you, if you have a power failure..

I don't know too many sailors that cruise the B'mas at night..that would be asking for trouble no matter how you slice it.

Anchor alarm....what's that...??? A good spotlight will take care of that at night.

If I had to add up all the time I've spent in the B'mas it will likely amount to 10 years. All of it without a chart plotter. Many others like me. Doubt I would trust a little screen to tell me where I am.

[team karst]

Is ur nite vision same as 30 years ago? Have the boats’ value gone up as well? More factors for the discussion. Have the anchorages become more crowded?

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Anchor alarm....what's that...??? A good spotlight will take care of that at night.

How's that work? You have a spotlight that will wake you up?

-Chris

[MicHughV]

Not trying to start a pissing war here....merely pointing out that depending on electronics only to navigate your way around the B'mas is not the way to go....

Switch the damn thing off for a day or two or three and you'll quickly note that you will become a lot more attentive and aware of your surroundings and to the color of the water...counting islands...the weather.....etc...etc...

[merrydolphin]

I have heard the Garman Blue Charts are one of the better ones for the Bahamas.?

I have had good luck with them otherwise, along with Active Captain.

[team karst]

Originally Posted by GinoDelG

….

Can anyone explain why the much cheaper iPad product is so much more accurate than the much more expensive chart plotter product?

Can u post shots of each? I’m not seeing a diff in the exumas. I have a phone vs a rsymarine plotter right next.

[team karst]

Another example of essentially useless explorer chart. I happen to be there now.

vs;

[neworleansrich]

I've done lots of cruising in the Bahamas over the last 50 years. My boat is there now (I am at home this week).

We had been using Garmin Bluecharts on an iPad since 2014, but as documented in many a CruiserForum post, Garmin is no longer offering the app or charts. I still have an un-updated iPad with the Bluecharts, but now also use the INavx vector charts on another iPad. I think they are what INavx calls the Explorer charts. Both chart sets are very good and very similar. I have more hours using the Bluecharts and have never hit bottom unexpectedly.

Sometimes there are differences, shallow areas shown on one chart program, but not the other. Generally pretty close. I think the INavx charts are the best you can do at the moment for the Bahamas.

I was a big fan of Garmin particularly after running the entire inside-the-reef route from one end of Andros to Jackfish Channel at the southern tip. But with all the Garmin BS with their app and the Active Captan debacle, I hope to never buy another Garmin product.

[FamilyTrips]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum and will be chartering from June 25th - July 2nd, 2022. I'll be with my family and wondered if there are others sailing from Palm Cay Marina to Highborne Cay Marina. Any other boat doing this trip on June the 26th, 2022?

BTW, I am using Navionics to plan the trip, what's your input related to its depth precision?

[Jamme]

Originally Posted by FamilyTrips

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum and will be chartering from June 25th - July 2nd, 2022. I'll be with my family and wondered if there are others sailing from Palm Cay Marina to Highborne Cay Marina. Any other boat doing this trip on June the 26th, 2022?

BTW, I am using Navionics to plan the trip, what's your input related to its depth precision?

Welcome.