NavigationSea charts for plotters put to the test

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 19.04.2021

Navigation: Sea charts for plotters put to the testPhoto: YACHT/K. Andrews
Not every combination of hardware and software is freely selectable
The quality of the information and the user-friendliness of the device are also determined by the nautical chart software - which is therefore an important purchase criterion

The style of the cartography and its typography, the customisability, the data supplied, the zoom levels, additional information such as satellite images, addresses and three-dimensional representations are criteria that determine the quality of a nautical chart. In the case of electronic products, there is also the reference, updates, the period of usability, possible networking and also the prices. YACHT has compared the six current systems from Garmin, C-Map, Navionics and NV-Verlag and shows representative examples of use. In addition: Where the two types of vector and raster nautical charts differ in production and use.

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Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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