I just replaced my electric dual trumpet horns (Signaltone) because one
failed after 13-years. I still have a third, single trumpet air-horn that
works fine. I took apart the old horns and found significant corrosion
inside including the internal housing, connectors and wiring (un-tinned).  I
looked at Signaltone, AFI, Ongaro and one (unidentified manufacturer)
available in a local chandlery at almost half the cost of the others.  Most
of the choices were around $Cdn 200 and air-horns were almost double. I then
contacted Signaltone (part of FIAMM Technologies in MI) by e-mail and asked
if their newer horns were all SS and told them the story about the
corrosion.  Within a day, they shipped a new set of electric dual-trumpet
horns to me at no charge under their 'lifetime' warranty (which normally
expires after 10-years).  Needless to say I was very pleased - the new horns
had exactly the same hole pattern and were operational within minutes,
although I did take the time to upgrade the wiring to proper (tinned)
wiring.  As I have discovered with many other SS items on my sailboats and
trawler, not all devices (especially the 'bargains') are SS all the way
through and don't necessarily use anti-corrosive connectors and wiring.
Regards,
Ed Bottrell
DF41 SAPHAEDRA
Halifax, NS

Clarence,
An 'old salt' told me many years ago to fold charts in thirds.  This size
was essential for sailboat cruising and, now that we have a trawler, is for
ideal for piloting where frequent reference to the chart is common. The
paper can take the unfolding and refolding many times before it needs
replacement.  As you move from one chart area to another, you simply refold
so that the current area is on top.  The folded chart is about the size of a
briefcase (I don't have one handy to measure), which is what I use to carry
around my charts, tables, dividers, etc.
Regards,
Ed Bottrell
DF41 SAPHAEDRA
Halifax, NS

When our pilothouse CHB was built the previous owner ordered a chart table
built in. The length is as wide as the widest chart we have and the width
goes forward to the windows, so accommodates the largest of charts.  The
drawer (? it doesn't pull out, it has two panels piano hinged on top that
slide back out of the way) is about 4" deep.  I can put a complete set of
Puget Sound Charts, B.C. charts past Prince Rupert and Southeast Alaska
charts.  I have them all.  I keep them in numerical order so it is easy to
check the right corner and see what chart you have.

A few years ago I started dividing the charts into three portions (Alaska,
Puget Sound and Canadian)  Getting the charts out was no problem but trying
to insert them into the stack takes a little ingenuity so a smaller stack is
easier.

Since I have been using electronic charts I find I get out the overview of
the area for reference instead of every chart we have of the area.  Only
exception is in cruising an unfamiliar area I get out the harbor chart.
Murphy's law says that when entering a rock infested harbor you are
unfamiliar with, the nav program will go belly up just as you approach the
first reef.  Actually that was in the older programs, my current program has
been belly-up-free.

On the sailboat we folded them in half twice so when we bought the powerboat
I IRONED them all.

If I had my druthers I would have the chart table just the way it is.  With
the top folded down you can spread a chart.  With the charts put away you
can use the top for whatever you want.

Anne on Seabird
45' CHB pilothouse

Friend of mine with the same boat (called a Grand Mariner in Canada) as your
CHB45 built a chart table is attached to the headliner at one edge and has
two chains with hooks so it drops down with one ridged edge and one
suspended on the chains.
The chart compartment, about 2" deep is part of the unit and is accessed by
lifting the lid of the table. Size is a full size CHS chart +1inch. The lid
has a catch to keep it in an open position so two hands can shuffle the
charts. This works very well on his boat as he has good height to the
overhead and uses a high stool to run the boat which works perfectly for
chart work.
Personally, I just use a large screen laptop and split screen the near/far
chart.

But he has gone around Vancouver Island and Queen Charlottes and I haven't.
8^(
Richard