Installing a Chart

For demonstration a freely available U.S. chart (CAPE SABLE TO CAPE HATTERAS) will be used.

Downloading and installing a U.S. chart

Options 2.0 on the tool bar Charts

2.1

  • Select the Chart Downloader tab

2.2

  • Press Add Catalog

2.3

Select USA - NOAA & Inland charts and press OK

Two sets of charts are available, RNC and ENC.

  • RNC are Raster charts, scanned charts with full navigational detail, where the detail cannot be adjusted.

  • ENC Electronic navigational charts where the objects and amount of detail needed can be chosen by the user. These charts are rapidly taking the place of RNC.

ENC is used.

2.4

2.4.1

Select "by States"

2.5

A default entry for the folder for downloaded charts is shown. For simplicity the default is used.

RNC "NY - New York" is selected. Press OK

An entry for New York state appears in the catalog.

2.6

Update

Only one chart is needed CAPE SABLE TO CAPE HATTERAS

2.7

Select All first to allow deselecting all the charts

2.8

Select None and then select Cape Sable to Cape Hatteras

2.9

Download selected charts

2.10

Apply

This returns you to Options

2.11

Staying in Options select the Chart Files tab and press Add Directory…​ Find the folder US_NY where the Cape Sable to Cape Hatteras chart is located

2.12

  • Press Select Folder An entry appears in the list of directories

2.14

Apply and OK to return to the main screen

Move the base chart until you can see the East Coast of the USA.

  • Drag with the mouse

--OR--

  • Click the arrow 40 that appears when the mouse pointer is moved to the side of the display

2.15

US Charts use the unit Feet for depths and heights.

If you want to change units use Options

2.16

Display and select the Units tab

2.17

Use the dropdown for Depth to change the unit Feet to Meters

Apply OK

2.18

Charts available for OpenCPN are described in the User Manual

Even without a navigational chart a GPS can be connected and tested. This is described HERE.

High resolution base map

To improve the look of the base map a high resolution version can be installed using the chart downloader (Internet connection needed).

Options Charts Chart Downloader Add Catalog

Select GSHHG basemap then All GSHHG basemaps

Use the default installation directory.

OK

Update Download selected charts

Apply OK

2.19