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Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date: 03-13-06 23:11

For anyone wanting to buy a map before going (back) there.

The nautical chart is
NOS #25653 Isla de Culebra and approaches
This map covers the entire island waters. The usual chart stuff, what the shore is, what the bottom is, coral heads, aids to navigation, depth, etc. There are two others at a larger scale (smaller area covered) that only cover the southern half of the Culebra. I got mine at mdnautical.com. It comes on water resistant paper (unlike the official US government publication) so it ends up being a bit more durable. $20 plus shipping at mdnautical.com. It's less if it isn't printed on water resistant paper.

The USGS 7.5 minute quad map (the most detail I could find) is titled "CULEBRA AND ADJACENT ISLANDS", I bought mine at omnimaps.com. It has all that info that topo maps have, topography, roads, stone walls, open areas, and about 2000 other items, if you know what the symbols mean! $8 plus shipping. These are not water resistant.

Because these are US gov publications, they can be picked up at many places, not just the ones I bought them at.

Even if you're just beach bound, these are fun to look at, know what you're seeing. You might even find that exclusive little pocket beach just around the next point...

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date: 03-14-06 10:16

Now wouldn't it be nice if they put in the charts where the fish are?

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: JoseGuzman (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date: 03-14-06 12:37

Hey Michael... the fish move around don't they... LOL !

Do not go after the Parrot fish, or the Pig fish... Please.
In the bottom line they are not good to eat.

Capt. J.Guzman

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Steve Shivers (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date: 03-14-06 20:40

If you just want to look and/or print rather than buy maps and charts, see some of my earlier posts:

Online Nautical Charts: http://www.islaculebra.com/forvm/read.php?f=1&i=5858&t=5858

Topo Map: http://www.islaculebra.com/forvm/read.php?f=1&i=6025&t=6021

Aerial Photo: http://www.islaculebra.com/forvm/read.php?f=1&i=6239&t=6239

For true navigational use, you should probably buy the originals to be sure the scale is preserved and so they won't disintegrate when wet.

A topo map symbol key can be found at http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/

Nautical chart symbols are at http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/chartno1.htm

S & L in VA
"Stercus Evenit"

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date: 03-14-06 21:22

Steve,
even as I type there's a wonderful aerial photo of Culebra behind my browser that I believe I have thanks to you!

I thought of printing maps myself, but have found that my printer ink is quite prone to moving to different parts of the page when water gets on the page (plus, I love the wonder of just looking at a big map/chart to see it all in one glance).

The links to the symbols are great for those oddball symbols. Thanks.

Good point about the waterproof charts not necessarily being the reported scale (and frequently not up to date), I had forgotten about that benefit of non NOS charts. For the gunkholing I plan to do, I don't think the innaccuracies will get me into trouble.

Bruce

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date: 03-15-06 10:17

Whatever happened to a man in a boat, a leadline and some fishing gear? Charts?!

When in Culebra you should inquire about Sharkie and how he used to catch and bring home the biggies ..

Ahh those good old days - lol.

If those paper charts weren't so big I might leave my GPS at home as well ..

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Steve Shivers (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date: 03-16-06 21:30

Hi Bruce,

Oh - I hadn't even thought about the possibility of the commercially produced charts not being to scale. I was referring to the ones you print yourself. Those home printed ones are what I was also talking about in relation to water problems. You are right about that ink moving all over the place if you get them wet! Never the less, they will be what I bring on my trip next month. They will work fine for me, but I'd hate to be responsible for some novice reading this board to have a problem because of something I recommended. I love the big sheets from the govenment, but I'm too cheap to buy them, and I blew all my money on my house rental anyway :-)

Steve

S & L in VA
"Stercus Evenit"

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date: 03-17-06 07:43

I agree that the big charts are, well, big and a bother, particularly in wind. And yup, the $24 dollars is considerably more than the 10cents of ink for print your own!

The chart I bought at mdnautical.com is absolutely to scale, and , for someone who loves to pour over maps, beautiful and very legible. I keep telling myself it justifies the expense. At the 1:20,000 scale I can see the difference between a coral head and a wreck, fringing mangrove and a coral rubble (or would be able to if I bring my glasses with me...). It also arrived just three days after I ordered it in the night-well packaged, via UPS. [the same alacrity is lacking for the topo map from omnimaps.com]. I've seen plasticized charts that are out of date and not to scale and whose printing quality is dubious. This chart emphatically has none of those drawbacks.

As for navigation, I use potatoes. I just keep chunking them over the bow, and when they stop splashing I know I'm close to shore. This method works even in the dark the fog, and the totally unlikely event of the electronics on the boat having gone further south than you. Really, it is an almost fool proof "low-tech go-tech" method. [The spuds tend to go by quickly in the tropics, so the consumption of mashed potatoes and au grautin dishes is encouraged -- yams and sweet pototatoes work too and add variety to the meals]

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date: 03-17-06 10:23

Bruce, how do you retrieve the Solanaceae? I assume the work particularly well at night ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Bruce Morehouse (---.direcpc.com)
Date: 03-18-06 16:16

The hardest solanacea (spudacious spp) work best as they make a good clunking sound as they hit the hull, aiding retreival. The softer species (particularly cubuanero) are to be avoided du to lack of a resounding thump and a high aspect ratio. Conversely, you can leave them in the water where they act much like way points on a gps. This can be helpful on the return trip.

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Steve Shivers (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date: 03-18-06 23:08

I surrender! You guys are killing me............

I guess I should bring my own spuds. Aren't they kinda spendy on the island?

;-)

S & L in VA
"Stercus Evenit"

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Re: Map numbers of Culebra

Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date: 03-19-06 11:32

It's indeed hard to top Bruce - I take my hat off!

As to price: maybe we can string them up and resell as navgiation aid at a hefty markup?

Aspect ratio: please let's not forget that hey have to hit the water narrow side first, errors of at least half a fathom could result from improper insertion!

Friction plays a very important role: Solanaceae must not be under 95% water. Otherwise wrinkled surface skin influences parallel flow and test results will become completely unreliable.

Please see below for always fresh Solanaceae Navigation Strings - at a discount ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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