"Chart Table"

[Gypsynurse]

Hi all,
On my ranger 26 the PO had a chart glued to the dinette table, and it was trashed. I like the idea and want to do something similar, but with a better execution? Maybe a piece of plexiglass over the top of chart? Any other ideas?

thanx, Paul

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Gypsynurse

Hi all,
On my ranger 26 the PO had a chart glued to the dinette table, and it was trashed. I like the idea and want to do something similar, but with a better execution? Maybe a piece of plexiglass over the top of chart? Any other ideas?

thanx, Paul

Laminate a chart, cut into sections at the hinges, and Velcro it to the table top. Stow when you want to see the wood, and attach when you want to have a spill-proof surface (although you'll want those woven rubber non-skid mats for the plates as well).

You can laminate a new chart to a desired thickness and still see it clearly.

[s/vfootloose]

Put the chart down and use a crystal clear epoxy bar resin

[Terra Nova]

For a quick DIY solution, just put a thin sheet of clear acrylic (like Plexiglas AR) over your chart. Tiny bits of thin double-stick tape prevent it from sliding. Then you can can easily update it, depending on your cruising grounds.

[Jammer Six]

You need to be able to correct the chart.

[captain58sailin]

There is a product, I think it is called map coat, or something like that maybe chart coat. You can paint in on your chart and render it water proof, then use as you see fit.

[1Sunseeker]

I simply trimmed a chart to fit the panel then covered it with Plexiglas that I screwed down with teak trim. I can change the chart as I go along. It is just a conversation piece anyway as I use other charts for navigation. "All those who wander are not lost."

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

You need to be able to correct the chart.

Isn't that why they made grease pencils in different colors?

Oh, what? You mean you're actually supposed to clean the table top occasionally?

[captain58sailin]

We keep a working chart under plexiglas on my tug and use a grease pencil to plot, if we didn't the chart wouldn't last more than a couple trips.

[Jammer Six]

With the PDFs that NOAA started releasing, they can be replaced every time you get back to the printer.

I went so far as a 13x19 printer.

Then I started using a graphics program to chop the charts into smaller bits.

You'd be surprised at the number of compromises that happen when you try to make a chart smaller.

[Cacique]

Perspex (plexiglass) works well, I cut a piece to fit my table exactly and the chart underneath never moves, if I want to change it then I can get under the edge to lift it and then change it, but actually we keep a small scale one there that covers our whole cruising range and use the bigger scale charts for actual navigation.

[klmmicro]

The idea of putting down a chart and covering it with a resin seems like a nice idea. It will resist "dulling" better than a poly sheet, though it has the drawback of being almost permanent.

[jackdale]

One chart? How do you do that? Even the BVIs requires 2 minimum.

[sharkbait]

Ummm, guys, I think the chart in question might be decorative.

Glue down wirh Spray 90. Pour bar epoxy on top. Make sure you have power for a hair dryer
to blow the bubbles out.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by sharkbait

Ummm,guys, I think the chart in question might be decorative.

Good point. Somewhere I have a BVI placemat.

My decorative charts are framed and on the wall. As much as I like my 1604 and 1748 charts of Senegal and The Gambia, I would not use them for navigation.

My 1859 chart of the Gulf and San Juan Islands is pretty good - but it too is framed.

A decorative chart on a chart table would be a nice touch.