"Waterproof chartbooks are very handy, very easy to use and I highly recommend them for cruising."
   - Passagemaker

"Although many skippers are cruising without paper charts these days, I always have a paper chart at the helm to supplement the navigation information from my chart plotter and radar. The traditional Maptech chart books are excellent, but they have inherent disadvantages: The can be too large (22 inches by 17 inches) for convenient use at the helm station, and they are printed on conventional paper, which must be protected from spray and rain.

Maptech has addressed these short comings with its new series of limited coverage area chart books. Each measures 12 inches by 17 inches and is printed on waterproof material. In addition, the charts are annotated with useful GPS waypoints.

During a recent voyage through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, I used the new chart books in conjunction with my Furuno 1833C NavNet chart plotter/radar/sounder and a Tecnautic autopilot, hull speed, wind velocity system. The very dense fog combined with vessel targets on the radar screen, and strong currents made frequent alteration of radar scanning range necessary. The chart area presented on the Maptech charts was ideal for maintaining situational awareness, a key element for safe navigation.

The fog soaked the new charts, but a wipe of my hand restored full visibility. No need for a plastic sleeve."
   - Yachting

"Maptech has a new series of maps on the market that are incredible. If Columbus had these maps at his disposal I doubt that he would have tried to sail to the 'New World.' A copy of Maptech's new maps would have scared him silly as he saw the intimate detail of shoals, rocks, ledges and shallows...The spiral chart that I have is from Cape Ann to Portland and includes 24 maps. It truly is incredible and makes plotting a course child's play."
   - The Telegraph

"Over the years I have worked with numerous electronic charting programs similar to Maptech's [Companion CD]. Many had capabilities far in excess of my requirements, and came at a price that would deter many boaters looking to explore electronic charting.

In my opinion, Maptech has succeeded in placing the advantages of electronic navigation within the grasp of the average boater. The program is easy to load and use without reviewing volumes of documentation or wondering why none was provided."
   - Soundings

"For electronic marine charting, Maptech's Waterproof Chartbook is a steal at $50..."
   - Backpacking Light #3

"Most plotters have small screens. In my opinion using the electronic plotter without a paper back-up---especially large, easy to read paper charts like the ones in the Maptech ChartKits and Waterproof chartbooks---is poor navigation practice.

This is especially true when the navigator wants to look ahead a distance, an action that with a chart plotter deprives him of information about what is immediately ahead."
   - Chuck Husick