On Mon, 17 May 2004 07:09:59 GMT, "marklan" wrote:

Please let me know
that would be a big help and could save me from having to buy more charts.

No! Get a full set of the most detailed charts you can for the area
you are going to sail in and keep them up to date (from the web).

If you use GPS make sure you plot your course on the charts first to
check you're not sailing into danger areas before you set off.

GPS is useful for a quick check to confirm your position but you
should also confirm this by any other means you have available -
healthy scepticism is the order of the day!

Be aware that buoys move / are moved / appear / disappear and that at
best their positions are only approximate.

You should also be aware that some charts (Greek charts for example)
were surveyed using astro nav techniques and the land is shown in the
wrong place! (1/2 mile out last week in a bay on south coast of
Kalimnos!)

To sum up - use all available forms of position finding and treat them
all with caution!

Good sailing
Mike