To Each His Own

Few things polarize recreational boaters more than the topic of electronic versus paper charts.

It’s safe to say that electronic and paper charts should both be viewed as position-fixing tools. Most of us employ some version of electronic chart systems these days, ranging from inexpensive handhelds to standalone GPS chartplotters or costly arrangements integrated with AIS, radar and more. Commercial ships almost universally now use the Electronic Chart Display and Information System, which is computer-based satellite navigation integrated with position information, an array of other navigational sensors, and Automatic Radar Plotting Aid. Its users have to be trained and certified.

Recreational boaters don’t have electronic charts that complex, but the technology we do have access to can