On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:05:17 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

I do not see GPS plotters replacing paper charts anytime soon.

If you want to get a feel for what can be done with electronic
navigation and no paper charts, download and install the latest
release of OpenCPN. It's free, easy to install and easy to use.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/

It comes with some sample charts but you can download free charts for
your area directly from NOAA or I can EMAIL a few of them to you. In
an hour or two you can download all of the charts for the entire east
coast.

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm

If you want to use it on your boat for actual navigation you can get
an inexpensive USB "hockey puck" GPS for less than $60.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2C7TG

I have one of the MR-350s for backup and it's a decent unit.

Assuming you already own a laptop you can be on the air with
state-of-the-art electronic nav for about the price of 3 or 4 paper
charts.