Free chart navigation software

I've been using this free software from Maptech for years.  It works pretty well.

EDIT: First, here's the download page: http://www.maptechnavigation.com/support/doc.cfm?docid=123&CFID=2396597&CFTOKEN=90312832  They have in different languages

Then here's the free charts from NOAA: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/RNCs/RNCs.shtml

I just downloaded all the CA ones in the CA link.  To view the free charts you need a viewer.  It sorta like you need Word to view documents.

Finally, here's the instructions on what to do with the zipped NOAA files: http://www.maptechnavigation.com/support/doc.cfm?docid=412&plid=17&CFID=2396597&CFTOKEN=90312832

It's a little complicated, but not really if someone like me can do it.  Once you're done, you have mapping software for all the nautical charts of CA where you can get lat-long...distances....print out charts.

Maybe if you have a charting gps, this stuff is old school, but for my etrex all I need is lat long locations to program how to get to spots that look good on the charts.

Thanks for the info Dave. I was looking for some NOAA navigation solution a while back. Wish I had seen your post earlier. I ended up with the FlyToMap for iPhone for $5.
Btw, your first link has a typo. It should be
ftp://ftp.maptechnavigation.com/downloads/CHTNAV_ENGLISH.exe

ernest

This is pretty cool stuff!  I've looked at the NOAA charts before, but didn't know I could have them all in one place! 

Thanks for sharing this!!!