The essentials in 30 seconds
- Charting follows the chartplotter, not the other way around. Raymarine = LightHouse + Navionics+ (since 2017 merger). B&G/Simrad/Lowrance = C-MAP as standard. Garmin = proprietary Garmin Navionics+. Choosing charting means choosing the chartplotter ecosystem.
- Comparable coverage on European leisure areas (Atlantic, Channel, Mediterranean). Minor differences in Scandinavian fjords and the Caribbean.
- 2026 updates: Navionics+ includes 1 year of updates, then annual subscription ~ $99 USD ex-VAT. C-MAP Discover X includes 2 years, then ~ $89 USD ex-VAT/year. Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision: 1 year included, then ~ $129 USD ex-VAT/year.
- SonarChart Live: Navionics exclusive — your depth sounder automatically feeds the chart. For pure racing or exploration, this is a significant advantage.
- Workshop verdict: 80% of Skysat 2026 refits follow the existing ecosystem. For a full refit with free choice, Navionics+ on Raymarine = leisure standard. C-MAP on B&G/Simrad = racing standard.
Marine charting is no longer a product, it's a service. An SD card loaded once for life is gone: the modern standard is an annual subscription with bi-monthly updates, user-sourced depth sounder data, weather overlay layers, and community bathymetry. Three European providers dominate this market in 2026.
This article distinguishes the three ecosystems (Navionics, C-MAP, Garmin Navionics+) based on the chartplotter you own or plan to buy. For choosing the chartplotter itself, see our GPS-depth sounder combiner 9 vs 12 inches for sailboats 2026.
The 2026 marine charting market
Garmin's acquisition of Navionics in 2017 completely reshaped the market. Since then:
- Navionics+ comes in two flavors: "open" version for Raymarine, Lowrance (Navico group), Humminbird; and "Garmin Navionics+" exclusive to Garmin with some layer differences.
- C-MAP has been part of the Navico group since 2007 (Simrad, Lowrance, B&G). C-MAP Discover X is the flagship product 2024+, with subscription and updates included.
- Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision is Garmin's historical charting, still available alongside Garmin Navionics+ for users of portable Garmin GPS units.
Navionics+ — the Raymarine/Lowrance/Humminbird ecosystem
Navionics+ is the native charting for Raymarine Axiom, Lighthouse, Lowrance, Humminbird. It is also available on the Navionics Boating mobile app (free with zone purchase).
- Coverage: 99% of global leisure areas. Europe charting = ~ $99 USD ex-VAT.
- SonarChart: high-resolution community bathymetry, user depth sounders integrated within hours.
- SonarChart Live: your depth sounder automatically feeds the chart while navigating. Your passages enrich the chart for everyone.
- Weather overlay layers: grib integration via Boating app + sync with the chartplotter.
- Compatible with: Raymarine Axiom+, Lowrance HDS Live, Humminbird Helix/Solix/Apex.
C-MAP — the B&G/Simrad/Lowrance ecosystem
C-MAP is the historical charting of the Navico group (B&G, Simrad, Lowrance — Lowrance dual-charts Navionics+ and C-MAP). C-MAP Discover X is the flagship product 2024.
- Coverage: excellent in Europe + Caribbean + Mediterranean. Discover X Europe charting = ~ $119 USD ex-VAT.
- Genesis Live: C-MAP's equivalent of SonarChart Live. Your depth sounder automatically enriches the bathymetry.
- Easy Routing: automatic route calculation accounting for draft and obstacles.
- Tides & Currents: standard integrated, annual updates.
- Compatible with: B&G Vulcan/Zeus/Zeus³S, Simrad NSS/NSO, Lowrance HDS.
Garmin Navionics+ — the pure Garmin ecosystem
Exclusive charting for Garmin GPSMAP, ECHOMAP, Striker. Merged Navionics + Garmin BlueChart databases since 2018.
- Coverage: 99% worldwide, particularly rich in US areas (BlueChart legacy).
- Auto Guidance+: Garmin's proprietary automatic routing, considered one of the most accurate on the market.
- Quickdraw Contours: user bathymetry — you create your own charts while navigating.
- FishEye 3D: 3D bottom visualization for fishing (less useful for cruising).
- Price: ~ $129 USD ex-VAT/year for Europe Vision.
Technical comparison table
| Criteria | Navionics+ | C-MAP Discover X | Garmin Navionics+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe charting price ex-VAT | ~ $99 USD | ~ $119 USD | ~ $129 USD |
| Updates included | 1 year | 2 years | 1 year |
| Annual subscription ex-VAT | ~ $99 USD | ~ $89 USD | ~ $129 USD |
| User bathymetry | SonarChart Live | Genesis Live | Quickdraw Contours |
| Automatic routing | Dock-to-Dock | Easy Routing | Auto Guidance+ |
| Tides & Currents | Included | Included | Included |
| Global coverage | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Companion mobile app | Navionics Boating | C-MAP Embark | ActiveCaptain |
| Compatible with | Raymarine, Lowrance, Humminbird | B&G, Simrad, Lowrance | Garmin only |
Workshop verdict by chartplotter brand
If you own a Raymarine Axiom (60% of our customers)
Navionics+ Europe = standard, ~ $99 USD ex-VAT initial + ~ $99 USD ex-VAT/year. No native alternative. To use C-MAP, you must change the chartplotter (major effort).
If you own a B&G Vulcan / Zeus / Zeus³S (25% of our customers, racing/performance)
C-MAP Discover X = standard, ~ $119 USD ex-VAT initial + ~ $89 USD ex-VAT/year. C-MAP is better for sailboat racing (more precise wind/current overlay layers). Possible to add Navionics+ as a secondary chart on some Zeus³S (rare).
If you own a Garmin GPSMAP / ECHOMAP (10% of our customers)
Garmin Navionics+ = the only native choice. Auto Guidance+ excels in coastal navigation. Highest price on the market.
Full refit 2026 — free choice
Our recommendation: Raymarine Axiom + Navionics+ for versatile cruising. B&G Vulcan/Zeus + C-MAP for sailboat racing and performance. Garmin for big-game fishing and specific fish-finder needs.
Updates: frequency and annual budget
Modern charts update 4-12 times per year automatically via the chartplotter's Wi-Fi:
- Navionics+: bi-monthly updates, mainly buoys and SonarChart.
- C-MAP Discover X: monthly updates, integration of European Notice to Mariners (NtM).
- Garmin Navionics+: bi-monthly updates, integration of ActiveCaptain (user reviews on anchorages/marinas).
Realistic annual charting budget ex-VAT for a cruising sailboat: ~ $100 USD ex-VAT/year to stay current. That's 1-2% of the total annual operating cost of a sailboat — a non-negotiable investment for safety.
FAQ — Marine charting in practice
Can paper charts be used as a supplement?
Yes, and it's mandatory in some cases. Division 240 requires paper charts for offshore sailing (>60 NM). SHOM in France, NOAA in the USA. Electronic charts complement, they do not replace. In case of chartplotter failure, paper charts + magnetic compass + portable GPS are your backup.
Cost of a physical SD card vs download?
2026: pre-loaded physical SD cards are gone, replaced by download via subscription. Subscriptions (Navionics+ ~ $99 USD, C-MAP Discover X ~ $119 USD) include the initial download. The blank SD card provided with the chartplotter is just storage.
Can a chart be shared between 2 chartplotters?
Navionics+: 1 license for 1 user, max 5 devices. C-MAP Discover X: 1 license per device (not multi-boat). Garmin Navionics+: 1 license per device. In practice, plan one license per boat.
SonarChart Live vs Genesis Live — which wins?
Both work on the same principle: your depth sounder automatically feeds the community chart with your passage. SonarChart Live (Navionics) has more data on historical European waters. Genesis Live (C-MAP) integrates faster and performs better on lakes and estuaries. Offshore, 95% equivalence.
What SD card size to plan for?
Full Europe = 8-16 GB depending on provider. A 32 GB or 64 GB Class 10 SD card is enough for 5-10 years of charts. No need for high-speed SDXC — charts are read intermittently, not streamed.
3 real-world workshop cases — charting choices
Case 1 — Sun Odyssey 410 cruising refit, Mediterranean
Boat purchased second-hand in 2023, original Raymarine Axiom+ 12 chartplotter with expired 2019 Navionics Gold charts. Recommendation: Navionics+ Europe Central/Western subscription (~ $99 USD ex-VAT) + 1 year updates included. Activation in 15 minutes via Boating app. The client immediately noticed new buoys added in Spanish Mediterranean waters.
Case 2 — Mini 6.50 solo transatlantic racer
Preparation for Mini-Transat 2025. B&G Vulcan 7 chartplotter + C-MAP Discover X Atlantic charting (~ $119 USD ex-VAT). Choice justified by: H5000 integration + complete Azores/Antilles coverage + Easy Routing accounting for Mini's draft. Skipper feedback: "C-MAP Genesis Live refined the bathymetry of Lanzarote Bay during my preparation sailing."
Case 3 — Lagoon 50 charter yacht, Caribbean
Two Garmin GPSMAP 1223xsv chartplotters on helm + flybridge. Garmin Navionics+ Caribbean + Bahamas charting (~ $159 USD ex-VAT). Auto Guidance+ used successfully by non-professional charterers — automatic route calculation respecting 1.8 m draft. Bi-monthly updates via marina Wi-Fi.
Alternatives excluded — solutions not retained
- OpenSeaMap (open source): commendable community project but irregular coverage, missing buoys, few updates. Consider as a free backup on smartphones, not as a primary source.
- Paper SHOM charts only: legally required offshore but do not replace a chartplotter. ~ $25-40 USD per SHOM chart, with annual updates needed for modified areas (Mont-Saint-Michel, northern Brittany).
- NV Charts ("all-in-one" paper + digital charts): interesting for Scandinavian and Balkan coasts. Less detailed coverage than Navionics/C-MAP in most Mediterranean areas.
- Old "lifetime" charts (pre-2017 Navionics Gold): some users keep their original lifetime subscription. Legal and functional, but updates limited to the original chartplotter model. Migration to Navionics+ recommended every 5-7 years.
3 advanced errors — charting usage
Errors beyond the basics
- Not activating SonarChart/Genesis Live. Your depth sounder feeds the community bathymetry = you benefit from others' soundings in return. Disabled by default on some chartplotters. Enable in settings before each season.
- Updating charts while navigating. Updates can take 30-60 minutes and consume 1-2 GB on 4G. Always update at port with free Wi-Fi, never while sailing on 4G at sea (cost + risk of interruption).
- Over-reliance on Auto Routing in coastal areas. Dock-to-Dock and Auto Guidance+ do not account for all temporary obstacles (nets, pots, unmarked mooring buoys). Always visually verify the route on the final coastal mile.
Skysat is an authorized distributor for Raymarine, B&G, Garmin and Navico. This article compares 2026 charting solutions based on authorized distributor ex-VAT prices. Prices and coverage are updated regularly — verify on product pages before ordering.
