Tips on Planning a Nautical Voyage

Here are some practical first steps when planning a nautical voyage.

1. Step One is most important: DO YOUR RESEARCH!

• You'll be needing all the info you can get. Here are a few links to helpful articles on the internet...
• How to Plan a Passage
• How to Plan Your Boating Trip
• David Burch Navigation Blog

2. If you plan to use paper charts, but don't know which charts you'll need...

• Start by looking at a map.
• You can draw some rough lines to indicate your idea of what your route may be.
• Do some research and learn what are the most traveled routes on this journey.
• If you'll be cruising in U.S. Waters, check out the NOAA Chart Finder App↗ to help you identify the charts you'll need.
  See a Guide on using the Chart Locator App here↗
• If you'll be travelling outside of U.S. Waters, then you may require charts by British Admiralty, Canadian Hydrographics, or other relevant international Hydrographic agencies. Do your research.