The Chart Locker

A free resource for cruising sailors
Download chart files in MBTile format for 
use with OpenCPN and other charting programs.

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What are MBTile Files?

MBTile is a file format for storing tilesets. It's designed to allow many chart files to be packaged into a single tileset.
A tileset is a collection of raster or vector data broken up into a uniform grid of square graphic tiles at 22 preset zoom levels.

MBTiles have many advantages over the older KAP format. They support more colors, are smaller than KAP files, and many tiles can be contained in a single file. 

PLEASE SHARE THESE FILES BUT 
NOT THE LINKS IN THE TABLES BELOW

Share these files with others but please only share the downloaded files (along with this readme file or a link to this page that you are now reading). That way others who want to download the files will do so knowing everything they need to know (and be able to read the warnings!). It will also give them a chance to donate to a great cause.

Thanks for helping out.

READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE!

It’s up to you -- not these files or the people who made them -- to keep you, your crew, and your boat safe. We did our best with these files, but we make no promises.

Always use multiple sources when navigating -- including your eyes looking at the real world, not just a chartplotter.

What's New

2 April 2024
New chart set for FIJI
Update to GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert 2.3

20 March 2024
New sets of charts with improved zoom levels for:
BERMUDA
COOK ISLANDS
RAPA NUI & PITCAIRN ISLANDS including Archipelago Juan Fernandez, Isla Sala y Gomez & Islas Desventuradas
SAMOA & AMERICAN SAMOA
TONGA, NIUE, MINERVA REEFS & BEVERIDGE REEF
TOKELAU
TUVALU
WALLIS & FUTUNA

20 February 2024
New set of charts of the MARQUESAS and the AUSTRALS
New set of charts for VANUATU
Update to GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert  2.2

14 January 2024
New (and improved) complete set of charts for MEXICO and CENTRAL AMERICA with new download table layout
Link added for British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon & California charts created by s/v Amazing Grace
Minor update to GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert

4 November 2023
Full coverage of NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA'S NORTH and SOUTH ISLANDS
New PACIFIC OVERVIEW with zoom levels 8-12
Minor update to GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert

COMPLETE SITE CHANGE LOG
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Missed some newsletters? Check out The Chart Locker Talker archive.

READ THIS NOW

These files -- like all chart files -- have errors and do not display all possible dangers.
Compare and use multiple chart sources. Don't be lazy. You are responsible for navigating your vessel safely.

The Chart Locker

Read HOW TO USE THESE FILES below, and view the

World map showing charted regions

What Charts are Available?

Here are the regions covered by 
 The Chart Locker charts. 

Index of Countries & Island Groups

American Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Antigua :: ATLANTIC
Aotearoa/New Zealand :: NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA 
Austral Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Australia - East Coast :: AUSTRALIA
Bahamas :: ATLANTIC
Barbuda ::  ATLANTIC
Bermuda :: ATLANTIC
Beveridge Reef :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Canada (British Columbia) :: USA & CANADA
Chile (Juan Fernandez, Desventuradas, Salas y Gómez) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Clipperton Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cocos Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cook Islands  :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Costa Rica - Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Dominican Republic :: ATLANTIC
Easter Island (Rapa Nui)  :: SOUTH PACIFIC
El Salvador – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Federated States of Micronesia :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Fiji :: SOUTH PACIFIC
French Polynesia :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Gambiers :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Guatemala - Pacific Coast  :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Honduras - Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Japan - Ryukyu Archipelago :: ASIA
Kiribati :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Louisiade Archipelago (PNG) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Marquesas :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Marshall Islands :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC 

Mexico – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico – Sea of Cortez :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico – Islas Revillagigedo :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Micronesia (Federated States) :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Minerva Reefs :: SOUTH PACIFIC
New Caledonia :: SOUTH PACIFIC
New Zealand/Aotearoa :: NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA 
Nicaragua – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Niue :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean :: PACIFIC OVERVIEWS
Palau :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Panama – Pac Coast & Canal :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Panama – San Blas Islands :: ATLANTIC
Papua New Guinea - Louisiades :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Pitcairn Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Society Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Solomon Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Taiwan :: ASIA
Tokelau :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tonga :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tuamotus :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Turks and Caicos :: ATLANTIC
Tuvalu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Vanuatu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Wallis and Futuna :: SOUTH PACIFIC
USA (Southeast AK, WA, OR, CA) :: USA & CANADA

Note for Mac Users

The native Mac unzip utility sometimes doesn't like zip files made on a Windows computer. If you have problems, we recommend trying a different unzip program like the free Unarchiver.

PACIFIC OVERVIEW

Zoom levels 8-12

Approximately 30N to 30S -- also includes New Zealand, Australia East Coast, Java Sea and SE Asia
Excellent for planning. No need to use overviews of individual island groups when using these.

Use the section you need: East of 180°, West of 180°, or Complete.

View thumbnails to compare areas covered.

Click the link in the Area column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

RegionArea# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date Created
Description
PACIFICTropical Pacific - Complete
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
43.12 GB
(3,359,456,312)
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
 View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - East
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
East of 180° only		41.37 GB
1,482,178,486
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - West
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
West of 180° only		41.74 GB
(1,877,913,590)
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA

Use Mexico Charts with Mexico & Central America Overview or a Pacific Overview.

Region Area Date ArcGIS BingSat Google Navionics Notes
MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICAOverviewJan 2024203 MB302 MB207 MB100 MBZ8-Z12 - Mexico and all of Central America -
East & West Coasts
CENTRAL AMERICAWest Coast - Mexico to ColumbiaJan 20243.35 GB4.43 GB3.31 GB613 MBZ8-16,18 - Includes Panama Canal, Cocos Island, & Islas de Las Perlas
CENTRAL AMERICAEast Coast - Mexico to Columbia<coming soon>
MEXICOBaja - Pacific CoastJan 20241.56 GB3.04 GB2.17 GB418 MBZ13-16,18 - San Diego to Cabo San Lucas including Isla Guadalupe & Rocas Alijos
MEXICOGulf of California - West sideJan 20241.42 GB2.33 GB1.68 GB333 MBZ13-16,18
MEXICOGulf of California - East sideJan 20241.77 GB2.73 GB2.01 GB313 MBZ13-16,18
MEXICOMainland - West CoastJan 20241.83 GB2.45 GB2.01 GB367 MBZ13-16,18 - Mazatlán to Guatemala including Islas Revillagigedos and Clipperton
MEXICOMainland - East Coast<coming soon>
MEXICODrone-Mapped High Resolution Anchorage Charts (link) 
Z19 or 20
Created by s/v Perspective

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Click the link in the Chart Area column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please do not share file links... only share a link to this page.

Country/RegionChart Area# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
FRENCH POLYNESIASociety Islands41,191,525,616
(1.1 GB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
(Z14 may be the best available zoom level for some islands
when using Bing Sat)
FRENCH POLYNESIAMarquesas4858,364,264
(818 MB)		Feb 2024Z10-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIAAustrals4

356,682,713 
(340 MB)		Feb 2024

Z10-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - ArcGIS12,298,442,346
(2.13 GB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18 ArcGIS
Do not use these files for navigating atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Bing Satellite12,718,331,324
(2.53 GB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Bing Sat
Do not use these files for navigating atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Google Satellite12,631,506,770
(2.45 GB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Google Sat
Do not use these files for navigating atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Navionics1304,577,661
(290 MB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Navionics
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus Passes - GPX Layer
Version 2.01		152 KBJul 2023GPX file to add as an OpenCPN layer. 
Best viewed on satellite image.
Includes pass notes in description.
Color codes: Green = Pass 
Red = No Pass
Magenta = Small Pass (local boat only) 
Yellow = Possible Pass
White = Quay in Pass or Moorings

SOUTH PACIFIC

Use these charts with a Pacific Overview.

Country Date ArcGIS BingSat GoogleSat Navionics Notes
COOK ISLANDS
Mar 2024ALL (607 MB)

  

Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
FIJIApr 20245.89 GB6.57 GB2.89 GB736 MBZ8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NOTE: GoogleEarth is missing areas in the Lau Group (e.g. Malevuvu Reef & parts of Mbukatanoa Reefs). Also, Ceva-i-ra is not charted on GoogleSat or BingSat.
Use with Pacific Overview
MINERVA REEFSsee TONGA
NEW CALEDONIASep 20225.11 GB3.22 GB3.12 GB751 MBZ12, 15, 18
Use with a Pacific Overview
NIUEsee TONGA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA -
Louisiade Archipelago		Mar 20234.4 GB2.0 GB638 MBZ8-16,18
PITCAIRN ISLANDSsee RAPA NUI
RAPA NUI (Easter Island)
including PITCAIRN ISLANDS,
Arch. Juan Fernandez,
Isla Sala & Gómez,
Islas Desventuradas
Mar 2024ALL (447 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NOTE: The positions of some islands are often poorly charted on the Navionics charts and some satellite
images do not include coverage of some islands.
SAMOA & AMERICAN SAMOAMar 2024ALL (2.98 GB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOLOMON ISLANDSMar 20223.98 GB
4.71 GB2.75 GB586 MBZ8, 10, 12 Overview
Z15, 18 Detail
TOKELAUMar 2024ALL (189 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
TONGA
Including Niue
Beveridge Reef
Minerva Reef		Mar 2024945 MB1.27 GB1.26 GB235 MBZ8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
Note: South Minerva Reef & Beveridge Reef are not visible on the satellite images. North Minerva Reef is only visible on Navionics and GoogleSat.
TUVALUMar 2024ALL (385 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
Niulakita does not appear on BingSat
VANUATUFeb 20242.36 GB
2.58 GB2.82 GB164 MBZ13-16, 18
Use with a Pacific Overview
WALLIS & FUTUNAMar 2024ALL (400 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics

TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC

Thanks to sy Pakia Tea for creating these charts.

Click the link in the Country column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

RegionCountry# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICKiribati
Gilbert, Phoenix & Line Islands
223,657,588,990
(3.41 GB)		Dec 2021Overviews at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15 and Z17 or 18
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICMicronesia & Palau
85,688,652,244
(5.30 GB)		Feb 2022Overview at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15, and Z17 or 18
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICMarshall Islands
65,453,657,662
(5.08 GB)		Dec 2021Overview at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15, 18
ArcGIS, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)

NEW ZEALAND / AOTEAROA

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

North Island East and West Coasts: Cape Reinga to Cape Terawhiti
South Island East Coast: Cape Farewell to Puysegur Point (including Stewart Island)
South Island West Coast: Cape Farewell to Puysegur Point

Use the country overview (Z8-12) along with the coast you are sailing (NE, NW, SE or SW at Z13-16,18)

IslandCoast# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
OVERVIEW OF ENTIRE COUNTRYAll41.28 MB
(134,995,488)		Oct 2023Z8-12
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NORTH ISLAND /
TE IKA-A-MĀUI		East44.36 GB
(4,686,901,367)		Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NORTH ISLAND /
TE IKA-A-MĀUI		West42.96 GB
(3,183,493,192)		Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOUTH ISAND / 
TE WAIPOUNAMU		East45.53 GB
(5,945,357,823)		Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOUTH ISAND /
TE WAIPOUNAMU		West42.65 GB
(2,855,593,503)		Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
OUTLYING ISLANDSAntipodes/Moutere Mahue,
Auckland/Motu Maha,
Bounty/Moutere Hauriri,
Campbell/Motu Ihupuku,
Chatham/Wharekauri,
Kermadec/Rangitāhua,
Snares/Tini Heke		<coming soon>

AUSTRALIA

Thanks to Mark & Jennifer Ullmann of m/v Starlet for creating these charts.
 
Coverage is the Gulf of Carpentaria, the East coast of Australia from the Torres Strait south to Tasmania and west through Victoria.

Note that some areas -- particularly on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea -- are not covered at greater than Z16.

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

Country/RegionArea# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
AUSTRALIACoral Sea 4(2.40 GB)Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIAQueensland West - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Queensland West - BingSat & Navionics
Queensland North - ArcGIS & Navionics
Queensland North - BingSat & GoogleSat
Queensland Mid - ArcGIS
Queensland Mid - BingSat
Queensland Mid - GoogleSat & Navionics
Queensland South - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Queensland South - BingSat & Navionics		2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
(3.09 GB)
(2.03 GB)
(4.69 GB)
(4.41 GB)
(3.62 GB)
(3.27 GB)
(2.96 GB)
(3.66 GB)
(2.41 GB)		May 2023

Mar 2023		Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIANew South Wales - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
New South Wales - BingSat & Navionics		2
2
(3.58 GB)
(2.38 GB)		Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIAVictoria - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Victoria - BingSat & Navionics		2
2		(4.75 GB)
(3.29 GB)		Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIATasmania - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Tasmania - BingSat & Navionics		2
2		(3.36 GB)
(2.10 GB )		Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18

ASIA

Click the link in the Area column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

Country/RegionArea# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
JAPANRyukyu Islands
(Okinawa, etc.)		4(4,570,715,068
(4.25 GB)		Jun 2023Z8-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat,
Navionics
TAIWANEntire Coast and all Islands4

3,404,330,840
(3.16 GB)
Jun 2023
Z8-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat,
Navionics

CANADA & USA
West Coast

Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon & California
Provided by Peter & Adrienne of s/v Amazing Grace

RegionDescription
North America - West CoastCharts Available Here (link)External Link

ATLANTIC

Click the link in the Country column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please do not share file links... only share a link to this page.

RegionCountry# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
ATLANTICAntigua & Barbuda4496,275,758
(473 MB)		Jun 2023Z12-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat,
Navionics
ATLANTICBermuda4635 MBMar 2024Z8-Z18  ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat,
Navionics
ATLANTICBahamas North36,002,785,684
(5.59 GB)		Apr 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18
Grand Bahama & Great Abaco
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Navionics
ATLANTICBahamas South - Bing Satellite
Bahamas South - Navionics		1

1		12,077,903,301
(11.2 GB)
1,211,017,427
(1.13 GB)		Apr 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18
All areas except Bahamas North
ATLANTICDominican Republic
DR ArcGIS
DR Bing Satellite
DR Google Satellite
DR Navionics
1
1
1
1


1,473,355,715 (1.37 GB)
1,972,492,240 (1.84 GB)
1,787,400,021 (1.66 GB)
225,876,359 (251 KB) 		Jan 2023Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 with some
Z14 where Z15 isn't supported
and Z17 where Z18 isn't supported
ATLANTICPanama - San Blas4368,259,072 (351 KB)Feb 2023BingSat, GoogleSat, ArcGIS, Navionics
Z8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18
ATLANTICTurks and Caicos
ArcGIS & Navionics
Bing Satellite & Google Satellite


2
2
1,496,267,743 (1.39GB)
2,049,015,050 (1.9 GB)		Mar 2023BingSat, GoogleSat, ArcGIS, Navionics
Z8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18

OTHER RESOURCES

DescriptionFileDate CreatedCreated by
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Anchoring GuidePDF (788 KB)2008Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
South Pacific Weather (Latitude 38 article)PDF (525 KB)2011Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
How To Use MBTiles in OpenCPN Video SeminarMP4 (948 MB)2021Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
Making a Case to Disconnect
Cruising World article, October 2022		PDF (1.8 MB)2022Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert Spreadsheet
Version 2.3		ZIP (1.9 MB)April 2024Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
This LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet makes it easy
to see if any dangerous weather is expected in your
location based on a downloaded GRIB spot forecast.
Instruction PDF included in ZIP.
Terry's Topics Newsletter
(kindly hosted by s/v Soggy Paws)		Terry's Topics (link)2022A monthly newsletter with lots of
chart and anchoring information from
Terry of s/v Valhalla.
Readme.pdf to include
when sharing charts		PDF 578(KB)2023Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
Please include this Readme File when sharing The Chart Locker charts.
Other MBTiles SourcesSoggy Paws Satellite Charts (link)

Hacking Family Chart Downloads (link)		2023Other sources of MBTiles and older KAP charts.

Note:  If possible, use MBTiles rather than KAP charts  -- they are a far superior file format.
World MBTiles (non-marine)OpenAndroMaps (link)2023Nice resource for planning as these maps have lots of information that you don't find on nautical or satellite MBTiles (like place names!). Be sure to read "Which map categories do I need?" so you know what to download.

HOW TO USE THESE FILES

56 minute video seminar on using MBTiles in OpenCPN.
(Download available in Other Resources above)

  • OpenCPN Version  ::  OpenCPN 5.x is required to use MBTiles. They cannot be used with OpenCPN 4.x.
  • Keep your CHARTS folder clean :: Don't accept charts from everyone you meet who offers a hard drive full of charts. And don't throw charts into a single folder. Organize your charts and get rid of anything that is outdated or not useful. KAP files, particularly, are of no use if you have good coverage of the same area with MBTiles.
  • Folder Structure  ::  Create an organized folder structure  on your computer. Unzip and copy files into folders. For example:
    C:/charts
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles/Overview
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles /Mainland Pacific
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles /Sea Of Cortez
    etc.
  • Load What You Need :: When "installing" charts in OpenCPN, you will find OpenCPN much more responsive if you only choose those folders with the charts you currently need. For example, if you are sailing in Mexico, don't include charts for French Polynesia. Never include your entire "Charts" folder!
  • Overviews  ::  Some areas have a separate overview. You should include these files when you use the more detailed files for an area; it will look better when using quilting. However, there is no need to use a local island group overview if you are using one of the Pacific Overviews that covers the area of interest.
  • Zoom levels  :: Overviews usually are Z8, Z10 and Z12. Charts created after June 2023 are usually Z8 to Z18 minus Z17. Before June 2023, coastal and island charts are usually Z12, Z15 and Z18. If a single MBTile covers an entire region, it may have Z8, 10, 12, 15, & 18 (or Z8-Z18 minus Z17) and there will be no overview. Some locations may not have all zoom levels. If that is the case, charts usually include the best zoom level available. 
  • Type of Charts  ::  Most chart sets include Bing, Google and ArcGIS satellite imagery as well as Navionics charts. Remember that MBTiles based on vector Navionics charts ARE NO LONGER TRUE VECTOR CHARTS; they are raster MBTiles at various zoom levels. 
  • Chart Groups  ::  We highly recommend reviewing OpenCPN's Chart Group documentation and using chart groups with MBTiles. For example, if you are sailing in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, create four groups: Nav,  ArcGIS, BingSat and GoogleSat. Put the Sea of Cortez Navionics charts in one group, the Sea of Cortez Bing satellite charts in another, and so forth. Then you can easily switch back and forth between the type of chart you want to view. To switch chart groups, use the 1, 2, 3, etc. keys, or right-click and select Chart Groups. Again, read OpenCPN's Chart Group documentation. It's an incredibly important and cool feature; another proof that OpenCPN is the best charting program out there. Thanks OpenCPN Developers!
  • Folder Organization  ::  Feel free to reorganize your folder structure to allow easier and more logical creation of chart groups. Do what works for you but do keep your charts organized.
  • Quilting  ::  Using these charts in OpenCPN works best with Quilting turned on (Press the 'Q' key).  However, if you do not use chart groups (which you should!), it is often better to have Quilting turned off.  This is really important: Clicking on a chart in the OpenCPN chartbar at the bottom of the screen excludes the chart when quilting is off, and selects the chart when quilting is on. Read that sentence again and make sure you understand it.
  • OpenCPN 5.0 Release Notes about MBTiles   ::  

    OpenCPN treats the MBTile format different from normal raster and vector charts. MBtiles are NOT fully capable and quiltable charts. They are used as switchable overlays. This is seen as the best compromise considering the unknowable zoom composition and accuracy of tilesets loaded from unknown sources. 

    MBTiles are shown as switchable overlays to whatever base chart sets are loaded. In the picture below, the background map is the base-map and the MBTiles is a satpic overlay. There are four charts in the chart-bar. All are MBTiles. Three are of a darker shade with a red "X". One is a lighter shade of violet and represents the visible satpic. Left click on a MBTiles piano key is a visibility toggle shortcut. Same effect as Right-click->"hide" on a piano key. Clicking on one of the darker shade buttons makes that MBTile chart visible. The button changes to a lighter shade and the red "X" disappears.     (Note: this is only if quilting is OFF.)

    With MBTiles it's advisable to show the charts outline - use the "O" shortcut key. If a chart is not visible, and there is no red "X" on the piano key, zoom in until it's visible. 

    MBTiles use the Web Mercator projection, with possible quite large errors in geo referencing. In real life these large errors are hard to find.
OpenCPN MBTile example
Red X over social media icons

Why No Social Media? No Patreon?

Because social media is harming society and cruising. The incessant monetizing and merchandising of the cruising life detracts from its beauty and community. We appreciate the hundreds of people who helped us learn by simply giving freely of their time and experience.  

Vloggers, stop trying to be famous and just sail already. And please stop cheapening this wonderful life with your reality-TV over-the-top approach; it's cheesy and juvenile. And those who support them, there are so many more worthwhile causes. Really.

Migration anchored in North Minerva Reef
Credits

Charts and website created by Bruce Balan & Alene D. Rice of s/v Migration

Support

Sorry, but I can't offer OpenCPN support. Please use OpenCPN's built-in help file and/or visit  the OpenCPN Forum for help setting up and using the program. However, if you find a problem with any of the charts (missed area, mislabeled file, etc.), or incorrect information on this website, we really want to know as we strive for accuracy.

Contact

Email:
thechartlocker [at] gmail.com
(Use for conversations about Chart Locker charts ONLY... please read SUPPORT [look left] for help with OpenCPN.)

We may be at sea and away from an internet connection so replies may be delayed.

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