Turn your Laptop and GPS into a powerful chartplotter,
using C-Map electronic charts and SOB ...

SOB is a Windows™ PC-based navigation program which, when loaded with C-MAP charts and connected to a GPS gives real-time on-screen chart positioning and details such as speed and heading.
More about ECS (Electronic Charting Systems) 

Enable additional features and functionality by connecting other on-board NMEA instruments ...ie: AIS, Autopilot, Speed LOG, Sounder, Radar and Wind Instruments.
Compatible instruments

More than 500,000 people have trialed SOB over the last few years, the positive feedback has been overwhelming:

• "Magnificent Software" - Troels, Germany
• "A truly magical piece of Software" - Karen, UK 
• "I can't stop playing with this, it is Great" - Jimi, Australia
• "This is SO cool" - Peter, Norway

We also pride ourselves on offering superior email support service. This is not "install and ignore" software. We are committed to assisting all our users with setting up and configuring SOB and their instruments for maximum benefit:

• "Thanks again, your support is out of this world" 
     - Dave, Australia
• "I appreciate your excellent email support" 
     - Virginia, USA
• "What an amazing support service! Thank you so much from the Greek Ionian Islands" 
     - Bruno, Italy

Computerised navigation requires four primary components:

Navigation Software
DigiBOAT provides this for Windows users as Software-On-Board (SOB). SOB is free of charge for a 3 month (90 days) trial period, and thereafter reverting to a free LITE version or pay to upgrade your copy to the Standard or Pro Licensed version. 

Computerised Charts
C-Map Electronic Charts are the industry leader and are fully compliant with SOB.
SOB will read MAX and NT/NT+ C-Map charts: NTonPC, MAXonPC, or Cartridge (USBMM, USBCC, USBFP, PCMCIA) formats.  SOB cannot read CM93 or Max Pro charts.

Computer
Any recent model laptop or desktop with at least 128Mb RAM, running Windows™ 2000 or newer operating system.

Positioning Device (GPS)
Almost any GPS manufactured since 1993 should work with SOB. The GPS must be NMEA 0183 compatible. Some older models may require data interface boxes which may no longer be available. Any GPS manufactured in the past 5-10 years is sure to be suitable, and apart from requiring a data cable (a standard accessory), will be pre-configured to work with little or no setup. Modern USB or Bluetooth connected GPS units are suitable for use with SOB.

ECDIS - Electronic Chart Display and Information System
ECDIS defines a complete computerised navigation solution including the charts, computer hardware, GPS and required system features. These complete solutions are built to specifications from official international bodies such as SOLAS, IMO and IHO and are recognised as true replacements for paper charts and traditional navigation methods. Simply installing a nav program and electronic charts on your laptop does not comprise an ECDIS solution. Check with your National maritime body whether this setup is a legal replacement for paper charts in your country.

SOB Uses C-Map charts

C-MAP electronic charts are the choice of more than 50 chart plotter manufacturers worldwide. With 20 offices in 17 countries around the globe, C-MAP is a world leader in precision navigation serving the recreational marine, professional fishing, commercial shipping, military and aviation markets with advanced charts and charting systems. 

In Feb 2007 C-Map worldwide was purchased by Jeppesen Marine, a subsidiary of Boeing.

More information:
C-Map USA
Jeppesen Marine

ENCs are vector format charts from official sources. Most Nations' ENCs are created by the government, or private companies contracted by the nation's Hydrography department.

Various international "Standards Bodies" control the quality and accuracy of ENCs. The underlying data format in digital vector charts is known as the S57 standard, with S52 an extra "Presentation Standard" for nautical S57 charts (S57 data is used for most modern vector maps, including terrestrial for instance). The S52 sets the standard for cartography symbols for displaying nautical objects such as lights, buoys, turbulence etc. So a combination of S57 and S52 data signify the chart as an ENC.

C-Map electronic charts are created from official S57/S52 data making them fully compliant with international chart standards. The S57 data is converted to C-Map's encrypted format from all international chart data suppliers, creating seamless and consistent global coverage. C-Map also enhances the official data with improved chart object display and additional features and information such as tides and tidal streams; ports; marinas; aerial photographs; etc.

C-Map Links:
On-line Catalogue
Request the latest Chart Selector CD
UK Forum  |  USA Forum

Italy (Head Sales Office)
Norway (Commercial) 
USA | UK | Australia | Japan | Poland | Russia

SOB includes all the standard features expected from a computer navigation program plus an extensive list of useful advanced features - all thoughtfully combined into a very simple to operate design quickly learnt by everyone onboard!

OwnShip Display
 

Waypoints and Routes

AIS Targets

 

Animated Lights	Perspective View
Tide Graphs	Tidal Stream Predictions
Aerial Photographs

SOB is also available from our official resellers:

Marine Industry  
NASA Marine - UK
MailASail - UK

Sail/Navigation Training  
Clyde Tabh Sailing - UK  
Melbourne Sailing School - Aus
BAE Systems - UK
Royal Sea Cadet CORPS  - Belgium/Brussels

Coast Watch And Radio Base Stations 
Sea Rescue Tasmania Inc. - Aus  
National Coastwatch - Ingoldmells Point - UK
Japan Coast Guard - Japan
Prince of the Red Sea - Egypt
Radio Holland - Curaçao
  
Adventurers  
Crossing the Ditch - Aus/NZ  
Blind Sailors - Circumnavigating  

DigiBOAT Pty Limited is a Sydney (Australia) based company incorporated in New South Wales.

ABN: 16 101 842 746

creators of 
Software On Board