Navionics NOT for Bahamas

I know I mentioned this in another post on the tablets, but it is worth its own topic. Navionics is a fantastic app for Droids and iPads, BUT, it is NOT ACCURATE FOR THE BAHAMAS. The reason for this is that they do NOT pay for the EXPLORER CHART DATA. So, on the Navionic charts, most of the data is close, BUT there are MANY reefs and shallows that are missing or simply just NOT THERE. This winter, there was a serious sinking of a new 45+ foot catamaran just south of Georgetown on FOWL CAY where Navionics shows a perfect route right over a 1 foot reef!!!!! This new cat owner drove his boat right into the reef and total the yacht!

IF you are sailing the Bahamas, you need to be following the EXPLORE CHARTS and their clean waypoints. Some charting software includes this data, for example, our C-MAP NT charts from Jeppesen, includes the Explorer Data. I wrote to them and they confirmed this fact. I also have seen the Garmin Blue Chart App on the iPad and it too had the Explored Chart data, so it seemed. But you better write to Garmin and verify that.

Bottom line is, Navionics is not to be trusted in the Bahamas, but there are others that can be. You need to ask your app developer if the app includes the Explorer Chart Data and then get that in writing. Also, use the paper charts!

Hayden in Rock Sound Eleuthera, Bahamas

This is the PAPER EXPLORER CHARTS, look at the REEF next to FOWL Cey


This is the NAVIONICS APP....LOOK....a course line next to FOWL CAY!
This is where the Cat sank due to this app !!!

Sorry about that Steve, as I have been a BIG supported for Navionics until I got to Georgetown and noticed lots of errors and then asked questions. Then Jeff arrives with this new slick GARMIN BLUE CHARTS for $20 app ( for IOS 6 only on new iPads) and it was perfect in the Bahamas.

So, if you have a new IOS 6 iPad, go with Garmin Blue Charts, and of course, the Explorer Charts.

PS:
Navionics is PERFECT Maine to Key West to Tampa and even in the USVI from our experience.

Hayden

Randy:
WARNING.....WARNING.....WARNING.....
What you have shown is the COMMUNITY LAYER in your app. Go to your settings and TURN THAT OFF.

Community Layer in Navionics is where you and I and any willy nilly sailor can add marks, buoys, waypoints and anything they want!!!! WHat?.....yup.....anyone can add a buoy anywhere and then you think this is GOOD TO FOLLOW.

That is a very dumb idea!!!!!

Here on your example, a user has added these marks AFTER THE CAT HIT THE REEF. Yes, this will prevent another boater from hitting this reef, BUT....this is NOT NAVIONICS data, it is data added by the users of the program.

So, If i were a bad person, I could now add buoys in bad places and people using the program would follow my points and run aground. This could be a fun and sick game.

If you use NAVIONICS:
#1: TURN OFF THE COMMUNITY LAYER, do not rely on the willy nilly sailor to add data
#2: DO NOT USE THIS IN THE BAHAMAS except for reference and study!

Thanks for adding the picture.

NOTE:
You can study the exact same issue in the FLORIDA ST. AUGUSTINE INLET. That inlet is MOVING all the time.....BUT.....users /community layer, in NAVIONICS have added buoys in the inlet. Yes they may be good today, but tomorrow when the USCG moves the channel buoys they are CRAP.

NEVER FOLLOW COMMUNITY LAYER DATA in NAVIONICS, it can be old and outdated.

Hayden

Randy:
Thank for that photo, that is closer to the Explorer charts.
Fresh Boarder means new user with a few posts
Karma, goes up as users like your postings.
These are just fun sections of this app.

Hayden

Carey:
That screen capture is showing the COMMUNITY LAYER with marks that were put into Navionics AFTER the cat hit the reef. Turn off the community layer and THEN look at this area east of FOWL CAY.
I am not trusting any COMMUNITY LAYER pins, buoys or marks. I want the chart markings and that is all.

The fact that Navionics is allowing users to add buoys and marks into their software is really messed up. It is not like Active Captain where the user data is supporting data to help. These community layer looks like OFFICIAL BUOY MARKS, and people are now trusting them. If you look at Navionics for ST. AUGUSTINE, you will see the same issue of community layer buoys added my users.

Hayden

Marko:

The Bahamas chart data that everyone lives by is THE EXPLORER CHARTS. This data is owned by C-Map / Jeppesen. Another company, Navionics uses their own chart data for the Bahamas. Navionics DOES NOT USE or Pay For the Explorer Chart Data. So, it is key when sailing the Bahamas that we use Explorer Chart Data. Use C-Map for Bahamas. That is what I understand is the best. Note: We have now used C-Map 5 years in the Bahamas and we run a Samsung Tab 2 tablet next to this with Navionics and we have seen MANY errors on the Navionics charts in the Bahamas. I do find Navionics perfect on the entire USA East Coast. IT also is not bad in the Abaco, but south in the Exumas, not good.

Hayden