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Old 03-18-2018, 09:05 AM   #284
BandB
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City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star0210 View Post
Serious question...not rhetorical.
How up to date are the charts? How often are they wrong?
They're as up to date as you make them. You can download new charts today and they'll be current. Otherwise they will not be. They'll be as old as the length of time since you last updated them. You control how up to date they are.

How often are they wrong? After a major event, they may often be. Also depends on where you are. That's why notices to mariners are important, but also other tools such as Waterway Guide, Active Captain, Cruisers Net and Local Knowledge.

Then in areas of unfamiliarity, go in with extra caution and distrust. That means slow, observing.

One other thing not asked, "How often are your depth instruments inaccurate?" New boat to you, might be worth really checking out. Is 5' really 5' and if it is then how much is my draft and how much space does that leave.

Last, you ran aground or hit something. As no one has looked yet, you don't know what. However, it's something that happens. Don't let it make you overly fearful, just cautious. S... happens.
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