Cruisers: We are now publishing Downloadable Track Files in both MaxSea (.ptf) format and in OpenCPN (.gpx) format (not all tracks are available in all formats yet - we're still working on it and they take time).  You can download the track files either by clicking on the links in the tables below, or by clicking on the track in the Google Map below the table.  The MaxSea files are in native format but the OpenCPN files are zipped so they download faster, and they need unzipping after they've been downloaded (which Windows does natively).  If 2 files are shown, the smaller one has been edited to remove redundant points from straight tracks.  This improves the speed of the download as well as performance once the file is loaded.  Sometimes MaxSea Track files are separated from the Mark (chart notations) files.  Download instructions are provided if you need them.

These files are provided free and we are actively soliciting cruisers to send us your track files so we can post them for others to download.  If you would like to to participate, please email us your track files (as attachments to our HackingFamily account, not our Winlink acct) along with your boat name and draft.  If you include your website and boat details, we'll link back to you from our Cruising Links page.

Note: If the tracks disappear as you zoom in on the maps, try switching between Satellite and Terrain modes to get them to come back.  Better yet, use Earth mode, which is faster anyway and doesn't seem to lose the tracks.

Disclaimer: While we always try to provide useful information, we can take no responsibility for its accuracy or usefulness.  Prudent mariners will always navigate using all means at their disposal, and will not rely on electronic navigation.

Track and Layer Files:
Track (or "layer") files can be imported into many navigation programs.  They display as transparent overlays on top of your existing charts and they can be turned on or off with just a few mouse clicks.  They do not affect your underlying charts at all.  Many cruisers like to lay a track of where they've gone -- It provides them with a record and it can be very useful if they happen to go back there.  It's often much easier to leave a well protected anchorage than it is to enter one, and using a pre-existing track can help.  We once had to guide friends through a gap in the reef in Fiji (at night) and having our track made it much easier.

Perhaps more importantly, track files are very useful to other cruisers, especially those new to an area.  Our charts are usually pretty accurate, especially near population centers, but out in the back of beyond our charts often have inaccuracies.  All of Tonga was out by about 1/4 mile, and places like the Philippines can be out by more than 2 miles!  This can be very disconcerting when you first arrive in a new area.  We have been publishing track files for a few years now, and cruisers we talk to really appreciate them.  When we were in Madagascar the wind switched 180° one night, putting us on a dangerous lee shore, but we had a friend's track file (and apparently the same thing had happened to them) so we were able to follow their track to a safe anchorage.

We were recently asked to become a repository for cruiser's track files, for both OpenCPN and MaxSea (and possibly others if there's enough demand).  This page is a first cut at that.  Cruisers who wish to participate, please email your tracks to us as attachments to our HackingFamily acct.  OpenCPN track files are basically XML (text) files and can get pretty big, so we've zipped them here with the excellent free 7‑Zip utility to make them easier to download.  Windows can unzip the files by itself.  Areas are listed from East to West.  The Maps links take you to our Cruising Information page for that area (which are in varying states of completeness).

Click the Size link to download the track files

Instructions for downloading and using Track, Mark, and Route Files:

These instructions are for Windows, but can be adapted for other operating systems.

OpenCPN released version 2.5 in August 2011, which now gives OpenCPN the concept of Layers.  If you aren't using at least version 2.5, we recommend you download the latest version and install it.  This allows 2 ways to import the files:

For OpenCPN v2.5 or later:

• Find your Opencpn.ini file.  This should be in:
  • C:\Program Files\OpenCPN if you're running Windows XP, or
  • C:\ProgramData\OpenCPN if you're running Vista or Win7 or a later operating system.
• Make a Layers folder under that folder
• Click the link to download the ZIP file
• Unzip the GPX file(s) and put them in the Layers folder you just created.
• The next time you start OpenCPN, the information from the downloaded files will appear.
• If you open your Route Manager and go to the Layers tab, you can click the eye icon to the left of the track files to make the information appear or disappear.

Using Layers is recommended as the information in the downloaded files does not get mixed up with your own track and waypoint information.

Alternatively, for all versions of OpenCPN (gpx) files:

• We suggest you create an OpenCPN folder under My Documents and save all your track, route and waypoint files under this folder, including downloaded files.
• Click the link to start the download and either download the .ZIP file directly to your track folder or move it there after downloading it.
• Unzip the file(s) and put the GPX file(s) in your track folder.
• Then in OpenCPN, open your Route Manager and click Open GPX... in the lower left.
• Navigate to where you saved the GPX file and select that file.
• The new information (tracks and/or marks) should appear instantly if you're looking at the area in question.

For MaxSea (ptf) files:

• We suggest you create a MaxSea folder under My Documents and use that folder to save all your layer files, including downloaded files.
• Click the link to start the download and either download the PTF file directly to your track folder or move it there after downloading it.
• Then in MaxSea, go to File, Open...,  navigate to where you saved the downloaded file, and select that file.
• The new information (tracks and/or marks) should appear instantly if you're looking at the area in question.
• The information can be made to appear or disappear by un-checking or checking (respectively) the box to the left of the file name in the Layers tool.

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