Which Chartplotter Chip for Bahamas/Florida-Simrad NSSEVO3

Just starting my research on a new chartplotter and radar system. It looks like my 2003 Furuno GD1900c system is ready to call it quits. The array wand no longer spins which is not a problem for where I am (Nashville, TN) except that the USCG Auxiliary likes to stop me to tell me that the regs require it to be on while I'm under way.

It's hard to find people who can work on it here so it may be best to replace it. Future cruising plans include the west coast of Florida and eventually the Bahamas and Exumas in a few years. Right now I'm mostly using Navionics on an iPad but I also have the CMAP charts running as well. Any suggestions on what I should consider replacing the Furuno system with? It's an analog system but it does have a NMEA 2000 backbone. Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have.

The older Garmin BlueCharts used to incorporate Explorer Charts data for the Bahamas. Over the last few years they ve gradually switched to navionics data which is just plain awful.

If you stick to the typical Chubb, Nassau, Highborne, Compass and Staniel routine, it s fine. But if you enjoy getting off the beaten path, access remote anchorages and use cuts like pudding, pigeon pass and others... beware

So, your saying the Explorer charts do include these areas in good detail? or beware on any chart?
On the upper bank, updated Navonics chips have always done well. We plan on the Explorer chart book and insert WPs on the electronic Navonics chip equipment (E120 & RNS PC). While traveling watching the screen. All has always worked. However, Been doing it for many, many years. I already know the usual bars (sand bars also).
If the Explorer chart kits are still up every year, we may continue this method of operation.

This summer got blown away,, again..
Josie has her cast pan in hand. Cruising the river is nice but it's the clear salt we both crave. Posting the Bahamas news is not just for YF, it's keeping that dam cast pan off my head. It's not my fault is a thin excuse with her.

We got to get down in the waters Pascal visits or KaBong will be heard down the e-coast.
Who knows, it may fix the ringing in my head.

Navionics May be ok stateside but not in the Bahamas. There are dozens of spots where following Navionics will he you aground. Explorer charts are the way to go. In the past garmin blue charts were great because they used Explorer data. No more


explorer charts are available from C map for a number of plotters including Furuno Navnet3D which we have in black box version with two large monitor. Very solid system which I plan to hand on for as long as possible. Great radar too.

There is a reason why every commercial boat has a Furuno radar ...

You kids have worked the areas that I was in once after Andrew and been trying to get back to since.
No chips then.
Where I have been on the north banks is all printed on dinner table place mats. I agree the Explorer charts are better,,, but really,, how often are they updated?
Do they really cover the areas Pascal mentioned (I asked # 24 - 25).

On a lot of the arrays you'll find a toggle switch that boat washers are notorious for hitting. Might want to check that before you buy new stuff.

There's a "webinar" out there with Furuno comparing their new TZT3 interface to three competitors. Not surprisingly, they "won" but in general it looked like the comparisons could be useful to get a glimpse of the several systems.

We have the older NN3D system and like it a lot even though it's a bit long in the tooth these days. Furuno support has been excellent.

C-Map vector charts -- with Explorer Charts, said to be the bee's knees for Bahamas -- are available on the Furuno systems, as are Navionics vector charts. Both at extra cost. NOAA raster and vector charts are available for free, with free annual updates.

We use TimeZero on a laptop as one of our layers of back-ups., mostly because it's (mostly) the same user interface and because it uses the same chart files. Ditto bee's knees.

-Chris

Exactly. In the last 10+ i haven’t seen changes in shoals and depths despite a number of storms that have affected the Exumas. For shallow tracks I have waypoints with the MLW depths I be encountered in the names and none have changed. Despite climate warning, sea level rise, depths haven’t increased either

This is all super helpful. Thank you, gentlemen.

Thanks for the suggestion, NYCAP. Unfortunately, there's no switch on my unit.

Maybe add one? Kidding, of course...

Second the take on CMap and CMap Vector. They've treated me well. This week, however, the chart didn't display the fog I hit at Sandy Hook...darnit...