wrote:

This is just what I needed. Thanks!

Any thoughts on navigational software for the laptop? Ease of use is
important, cost is secondary.

I use SeaClear II occasionally and it is truly a wonderful donation to
the public domain. SeaClear is best when used with a mouse with a
scroll wheel, otherwise the zooming and panning control are a little
hard to get used to.

If I were going to buy a navigation software today without any regard
for the cost I would purchase Coastal Explorer:

http://rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplorer/Version1_1.htm

I've tried it in the trial version and really found it to be a well
designed product:

http://rosepointnav.com/CoastalExplo...al/default.htm

There are some limitations on the trial version but they are reasonable
enough to let you get a full, although brief, trial of all the features.

Both SeaClear II and Coastal Navigator will use the free NOAA raster
charts. Coastal Navigator will also use the also free (but fewer in
number) S-57 vector charts and raster and vector charts from several
commercial sources.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)