Sailing the Northwest

We previously posted links to online NOAA charts for Puget Sound and the Northwest, and today wanted to point you in the direction of an online site that publishes waterproof charts for Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest.

I personally have always found these handy charts to be very useful for everyday cruising and racing on Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.  Their size is much more manageable than the normal NOAA chart, and affordably priced at $24.95.  They roll up quite easily and also have a thin laminate covering the chart to guard against the accidental slip of the coffee cup or occasional rain we get here in the Northwest.  I would not recommend their use, however, as a complete replacement for your NOAA charts when it comes to navigating new harbors, passages or approaches - especially those with navigational hazards.

Five charts are available for the Pacific Northwest.  Unfortunately, there is no coverage for any Oregon or Idaho waterways.  I’ve listed the available waterproof charts here for convenience, along with their corresponding NOAA chart coverage areas.  You can visit the website to order the charts and have them shipped directly to you before your next cruise.

WATERPROOF CHART #30 - PUGET SOUND
Complete Coverage from Olympia through Seattle to Port Townsend and Skagit Bay. Details of Tacoma, Olympia, Pitt Passage and Gig Harbor on south side. Blown-up insets for Port Madison, Eagle Harbor, Agate Passage, Seattle, Kingston, Port Ludlow, Rich Passage, Port Townsend Canal and Liberty Bay on the north side. GPS WAYPOINTS are printed directly on the chart. Color Keyed Insets are easy to find.
Information from 6 Different NOAA Charts; 18445, 18448,18449,18446,18464 &18441.

WATERPROOF CHART #43 - SAN JUAN ISLANDS
This waterproof chart covers the San Juans from Whidbey Island and Victoria north to Galiano Island and Includes Bellingham Bay. Blown Up Details for Henry Island and Roche Harbor, Fisherman Bay, Patos and Sucia Islands, Stuart and Johns Island, East Sound Friday Harbor, Anacortes and the Guemes Channel, Skagit Bay and the Swinomish Chanel, Deception Pass, Bellingham Bay, Jones, Crane and Wasp Islands and West Sound, Lopez Island and the San Juan Channel. 12 Different Insets are clearly explained with a key and letter system.
Information from 8 different NOAA Charts; 18423, 18427, 18434, 18430, 18432, 18431, 18433, 18421

WATERPROOF CHART #86 - GULF ISLANDS - BRITISH COLOMBIA
From Victoria and Discovery Island one side covers the area north to Mayne Island and then northwest to Gabriola Island and Nanaimo. This side also covers the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Sooke Inlet east to Victoria and south to Port Angeles Harbor in the U.S.13 detailed insets are provided on side B for the following areas; Active Pass, Tsehum Harbor, Sansum Narrows, Pender Canal, Ganges, the Gut, Nanaimo Harbor, Pirate Cove, Dodd Narrows, Enterprise Channel, Gabriola Passage, Porlier Pass Montague Harbor. A color keyed harbor locator makes it easy to find each area.
Information from Canadian Charts

WATERPROOF CHART #87 - STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA TO DESTRUCTION ISLAND
Covers the area from Port Townsend north to Lopez Island and west to Cape Flattery and Neah Bay then south in the Pacific to Destruction Island. Detailed insets for La Push, Neah Bay, Sequim Bay and Port Angeles. GPS Waypoints are plotted directly on the chart. Colored designators for details make them easy to find.
Information from 6 different NOAA charts; 18485, 18480, 18465, 18468, 18471, 18441.

WATERPROOF CHART #89E - SAN JUAN ISLANDS CRUISING CHART (large print)
Coverage of the heart of the San Juanswith uncluttered clarity and large print is very easy to read. Large Place names are easy to find. State Parks and Public beaches and Landing Areas are highlighted in green. East side shows detail of Lopez, Thatcher, Peavine and Obstruction Pass west to Friday Harbor with detail for Friday Harbor and Fisherman Bay. Reverse side has greater detail of West Sound, Wasp Passage, Roche Harbor and Reid Harbor, Stuart Island.
Information from 5 NOAA charts; 18432, 18433, 18434, 18430, 18429. GPS Datum