I'm looking for free digital charts. Most people recommend:

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm

Most free .enc viewers have charts available, but they link back to noaa.

Unfortunately, the selection for the Pacific NW is quite limited.
(Specifically, I'm looking for Columbia River and up the coast to the Puget
Sound,)



1) Anybody have information on when more charts will be released?

According to NOAA: "The current plan calls for completion of the
initial collection of features in all 40 major U.S. commercial ports by the
end of 2002..... NOAA estimates that an additional 400 charts will have to
be converted to NOAA ENC® form for complete coverage of U.S. waters."



2) Any suggestions for another format or source for free digital charts?
Scans would be helpful also. I am a poor college student trying to make
plans for this summer; I will probably borrow paper charts for the duration
of the trip.



Aaron