Note: for the time being at least, you can down load free ENC
(electronic) charts suitable for navigation from noaa, he
http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/download.htm

You will need either a free chart viewer (which is had to use) or a
commercial navigation suite capable of using ENC charts in order to use
the charts.

As for paper charts and updates, they're expensive and a pain. I do
not know many people who bother updating them.

mickey