Brian Windrope wrote: > > [snip] I recently purchased a staggering number of B.C. charts > and had a great time building PVC waterproof chart tubes for my boat > (that PVC glue is nasty stuff), so now I am in the market for good > foredeck chart cases. I have seen the heavy duty Gaia chart case and > the lighter weight models as well and am looking for feedback from > people who have actually used some of this gear. > Do those zip lock sliders actually work in real conditions with sand > etc.? Do the roll up models with velcro stay closed well enough? [snip] I have not had good luck with the cases. They either leak at the closure or fail when the weather gets cold (plastic gets brittle and then cracks near the edges). I now laminate charts in plastic after cutting (gasp! Yes, I cut up my charts) into sizes what will easily roll up inside tubes like the PVC pipes Brian describes. I leave them inside the tube except when needed for sorting out a crossing, etc. If the conditions are really mellow, I might slip them under my deck bungies -- though I've lost a few that way. I usually can form an adequate mental image of my intended route, so I've never found having the chart on the deck was critical during gnarly conditions. Others would not be comfortable with this. Most of my navigation is done on the beach before launch -- deducing ferry angles, bearings, etc., and I put these on the charts using fine-tipped "permanent" markers -- which are not really permanent, but easily removed with denatured alcohol when I get home. Now and then, I whip the chart out in some quiet water and sort out the next section of that day's paddle. YMMV, though Brian's Seattle - Prince Rupert trip should fit this mode pretty well. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Feb 10 1999 - 17:06:03 PST
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