There are small-scale and large-scale charts (this division is relative, of course).   The ones that are used most often by sailors are 1:80,000, 1:40,000, and 1:20,000.   If you are going for a rather long trip, it might be useful to have a 1:200,000.  The charts give you such important information as:

• depth of water;
• shape of the shore and the islands;
• location, type, and color of government and private aids to navigation (buoys, for instance);
• bridge clearances;
• land topography;
• composition of the seabed; and
• tides (range).

One thing you must keep in mind is that no chart is static (just as with any other map).  Landmarks change, buoys get relocated, and so on.  You can update your charts by contacting your local Coast Guard District - they provide regular corrections for free.

The charts are usually first developed by the federal government, and frequently they are reproduced and sold for a much lower price - all legal - with slightly less details than the originals.  You can purchase the charts in most marine stores, but if you want to be sure that they are up-to-date, you can obtain them from the following sources:

Course protractor - is a plastic device used for measuring angles, laying out courses, and read bearings on a chart.  There is a vast number of course protractors, and they all offer something valuable.  Other instruments used for measuring angles include rolling and parallel rules, and navigator triangles, but in order to use these for measuring the direction of a course, the compass rose should be visible on the chart.   This may be difficult to achieve on a small boat, where the chart must be folded into a very small piece.

Dividers - the best are rather heavy, brass dividers, that can be used with only one hand.  It's good if you can find ones about 7 inches long (17 - 18 cm).  They are the easiest to operate, and try to get them with not too sharp ends!

Binoculars - you'll need them to identify different landmarks or buoys from a distance.  If you get an expensive set - you'll have something very special for bad weather conditions (they'll probably be of a greater magnitude), as well as waterproof.  If you get a cheaper set - you'll have something that you won't feel sorry you lost, or once it gets broken - a very likely possibility on a sailboat.   I'd say, the call is yours.

Hand-bearing compass - the best kind is the one that fits in your pocket, and has a betalight to lit it at night (kind of like the Indiglo).  Don't fall for the older type compass, because they tend to break easily.  I don't know it from my own experience, so if I'm wrong here - correct me!

Sextant - it's possible to get an inexpensive, plastic sextant.   You don't need the beautiful, elaborate one, but on the other hand you don't need one anymore at all.  It is fun, though, and once you learn how to use it - you can always show off!  It will, in fact, give you very precise positioning.

Pencils - I know it sounds unimpressive, but you really need an assortment of a few, well sharpened pencils.  The best would be the #2 lead (soft) - it will make it more difficult to tear your charts.  Of course, you will also need a pencil sharpener, although being in possession of a good knife - you don't need another pencil sharpener.

Watch - or rather 2 - 3 of them.  It's an absolute necessity, because without being able to tell the time, you won't know how long it takes you to travel such and such distance, or to make predictions as to when you are going to be at your place of destination.  I'm advising you to have more than one watch, because these things for some reason often get lost on a boat.  They might also break, or the battery will go dead.  You know, "if something can go wrong - it will"...  You can never be too sure of your electronics.

Speedometer/log - they are usually sold together, reliable, and inexpensive (although you can get an expensive set).  They will give you the speed in knots (which means nautical miles/hour), as well as the distance (in nautical miles, as well) traveled.

Depth sounder - there are three basic types of depth sounders: flashing light, pointer, and digital readout.  The former will be least expensive, and the latter the most.  The choice is totally up to you, since all of these will provide you with an accurate information.  The flashing light will also give you some indication of the type of bottom you're over (the length of the light).   You can use your depth sounder for alarms (if the water is shallow), or for getting an overall picture of the seabed (its topography, that is).  If you use it for alarming you of the danger, you can either get one that will have three choices (5, 10 or 20 feet), or there are some that give you total control over the depth you want to be alarmed about.  The latter type will be more expensive.  You must remember, however, that it is always a good idea to have a general knowledge of the type of bottom you sail over, because if it has dramatic increases, you may run aground forward, but the sounder located amidships will still show you that you have some space.

GPS/Loran - this is one of the latest electronic navigational gadgets, which for many people has altogether eliminated the will to learn navigation.  This thing will give you your pretty much exact position, direction in which to sail (once you tell it where you want to go), time needed to travel at the present speed, how many degrees off course you are, and so on, and so on...  The possibilities are practically limitless - especially if your wallet is.  The main problem that I see with it is that it can break - just as any other electronic device.   Once it breaks and you have no knowledge of navigation - you are lost.   Therefore, even if you don't find satisfaction in doing things by yourself - I'd advise that you learn at least how to find your position, so that if need arises you'll be able to give your position to the Coast Guard.

Chartplotter - This is a very pleasant addition to your GPS.  It's not necessary, but can be very helpful.  Most chartplotters don't have the original NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) charts in them, but what's available is good enough for plotting.  Each chart is stored on a small cartridge, and displayed either on a color or on a monochrome display.  Most chartplotters have GPS incorporated in them, but some can be connected to one.  Once you find your position on the chart, you can move the cursor to your point of destination, and the plotter will give you the bearing, distance and ETA (estimated time of arrival) - just like the GPS.  The only difference is that you will see whether there are shoals or any other obstacles on the way, and you can break your trip into a number of legs divided by waypoints.  Many chartplotters allow you also to input your own information, such as your favorite marina, or any hazard that's not already on the chart.   When buying the chartplotter keep in mind where you want to install it (if outside, it shouldn't be too huge, and a colour LCD panel will most likely fade in the sunshine - therefore buy one that suits the size of your cockpit and one that won't fade - either a monochrome, or a more advanced colour one).  Also, keep in mind that there is a possibility of getting a dual-station LCD system, which will allow for two displays: one for the helmsperson, and one for the navigator.  It's best to buy the biggest LCD that you can afford for the nav station.  Other things to consider is whether you prefer a full keyboard, or is a keypad with "soft keys" (displaying features on the LCD panel) enough.  This is ONLY a matter of preference.  And last feature to think about is an incorporated DGPS (differential global positioning system) - it's a very good idea if you can afford it, because it's much more accurate than the usual GPS.   DGPS comes with one of two antennas: H-field and whip.  H-field can be mounted almost anywhere - including belowdeck, and is not susceptible to electronic noises, but the whip antenna has a better range.  It however, has to be mounted aft, and can be sensitive to electronic noises.  To read more about some new chartplotting stuff, click here.