PAGE 14 • SUMMER 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN
SAILING
R ASSOCIA TION
ASA MEMBER PRODUCT REVIEWS
With all of these features packed into one program,
Digital Chartkit makes planning a trip a breeze. Instead
of having to deal with many separate charts, tide tables,
current atlases and other publications, Digital Chartkit
throws it all together into a neat, compact and extremely
versatile package.
However, there are a few things the program lacks. For
instance, a real-time GPS position tracking system would
be very useful. It is possible to download and upload
coordinates to a handheld GPS, however the program
does not track a current position. Also, make sure the
computer running this program has plenty of memory
available and a newer processor. I used a laptop with 64
MB RAM and the program ran rather slowly, but was still
I
really must start out with the brutally honest truth about
very effective. Also, the setup gives the user the option
the Maptech Digital Chartkit. It’s really cool! This
of downloading all charts to the hard drive, making the
program is great for the novice navigator, yet it has all
program faster, but using a large amount of disk space.
the detailed information and features an experienced
Beware: the program did crash on a few occasions due to
captain could ask for. I am extremely impressed with the
low memory, so be sure your computer is up-to-date.
product and feel that it really enhanced my cruise around
the San Juans this year.
This software isn’t for everyone. It does take a little
computer savvy to use quickly and efficiently, not to
mention it requires a newer computer. Also, there is
The most obvious feature of the program is the official never a substitute for charting your position on an
NOAA charts. These are actual charts, programmed to give actual chart; paper never gives you the “blue screen of
exact latitudes and longitudes. Using the course plotter, you death” like most PCs do. However, should you possess
can simply click and create waypoints and routes for your a little computer literacy and a decent laptop to bring
cruise. In two minutes, you can create a course that could on your trip, this software is great for anybody from a
take half an hour with a chart and dividers. With a couple novice sailor to an old salt. It is fair to say that Digital
more clicks you can view all the waypoints, along with their Chartkit makes navigation as simple as double-
coordinates, bearing, ETA, ETE, and total distance traveled clicking.
on the route. Not only a great time saver, this feature
eliminates the risk of errors made in plotting on a paper Though pricy, ($200+ online) Digital Chartkit is most
chart. certainly worth the money if you want to save time and a
little sanity not having to deal with slipping parallel rules
Along with the NOAA charts, Digital Chartkit provides and rolled-up charts. I highly recommend this product,
navigation photos, topographic maps, tides and currents, not only for its ease of use, but also for its versatility and
marine facilities, light/buoy information, and aerial pictures numerous features. Digital Chartkit is a great all-around
of an area, all accessible in a few clicks. Navigating navigation package, perfect for the inexperienced
through the program is easy after reviewing the manual. navigator and licensed skipper alike.
The learning curve for this program is about two hours. One
of the main factors that I really enjoy about this program is Allan Matthew started sailing about seven years ago at the
how quick and easy it is to move through the features. Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle, Wash. Wanting to know
Everything is put in front of the user, all accessible within a and do more with the sport, he headed to Island Sailing Club
couple clicks. For instance, to view tide and current in Kirkland, Wash., and got the Basic Keelboat Certification.
information through a channel or pass, simply right click on
the “Tide/Current” icon in that channel; the icon is placed From there he took off. He was certified up through Celestial
directly on the chart for you. A tide and/or current graph for Navigation and later got his instructor certification at Island
that particular area is shown for a 24-hour period, so it is Sailing Club, where he has worked for the past three years and has
easy to determine what the tides and currents are doing. taught for the past year and a half. This is his second year sailing
Also the graph shows the tide and current at the present around the San Juan Islands and his third year bareboat
time, according to the computer’s clock. chartering.
R
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