nautical charts: NS to BVIs

[novapamela]

Hi all,

More research for my work of fiction. All input is appreciated. :)

I checked out www.charts.noaa.gov for BVI charts. My character's plotting a potential course (no dead reckoning - let's say he's hanging out in Lunenburg Harbour, NS or slurping mussels and Keiths at The Knot Pub) from Lunenburg to the BVIs. Though he's a diehard paper chart guy (is there some lingo I should know here?), I wonder if there's an online program I could use to view his possible course. I've charted a wee bit, but just in the BVIs...

I do not need details for each 'leg' of the trip at this point, just an idea of waypoints and what the course might look like on paper.

Also, is there an online chart service like noaa's for the Maritimes?

Thank you!

Pamela

[Woxbox]

There are cruising guides that would probably be of more help than a chart. Books written for people planning such trips.
The biggest question on that route is "inside or outside?" You can island hop south and then take the Intracoastal down the US coast to Florida, and island hop some more till you get there. Or you can just go offshore all the way. Or a mixture of the two.
I don't know if this specific book has what you need, since I don't have a copy, but if not there must be similar that covers that route.
http://www.amazon.com/World-Cruising-Routes-Jimmy-Cornell/dp/007159289X/ref=dp_cp_ob_b_title_3#reader

[Hwyl]

The NOAA online charts are for the US only at the moment, there are various chips and programs that can be bought.

Your man would do well to stop at St Georges Bermuda, most insurance compnies don't let you South of 30 degrees before about November 10th, I've done this trip from Newport and the Chesapeake, but don't want to write the book for you.

This thread gives you a well written account of a passage from New York to Bermuda
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61697

[Hwyl]

By the way, there is one paper chart that will cover the whole route. I'm to lazy and/or sick to get my copy right now. I also use Reeds Nautical Almanac (two seperate versions East Coast and Caribbean, but Bermuda is in both, mine are out of date/)