I opened OpenCPN. The screen was still blank. The software didn't know the charts existed yet. This was the final hurdle in the "install" phase of my search.
Many mariners share archived chart sets via torrent networks or cloud storage links (Google Drive, Mega) within private sailing groups.
: Each numbered folder covers a distinct 40° x 40° geographical grid of the planet. The folder naming convention is derived from a coordinate grid originating at the South Pole ( −90∘negative 90 raised to the composed with power 0∘0 raised to the composed with power
C-MAP CM-93 Edition 2 charts are normally installed in MaxSea using CD-ROM media and an authorization code from C-MAP. To obtain the authorization code, you must first define which chart zones or areas you need. Contact C-MAP to enter into a licensing agreement and obtain CD-ROMs for the zones relevant to your navigation.
Let’s assume you have a legitimate copy (e.g., you ripped it from an old C-MAP cartridge you owned). Here’s how to make it work in : cm93 v2 charts download install
The subdirectories are labeled with 8-digit numeric names stretching from 00300000 up to 04501020 . Each numeric folder maps out a distinct
Smaller file sizes, customizable display (layers), zoomable, intelligent objects.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. The CM93 v2 format is copyrighted material. While many sailors possess copies, official commercial use requires a licensed C-Map subscription.
Because direct links change frequently, search for: I opened OpenCPN
This 2,500+ word guide will walk you through everything—from understanding the file structure to a step-by-step installation guide and troubleshooting common errors.
Go to Options > User Interface > Fonts . Adjust the size and styling of the "Chart Texts" to ensure labels scale properly when zooming in and out. Issue 3: Sluggish Performance / Lagging Zoom
If you only see .A , .B , .C files but no .DAT files, the dataset is incomplete.
Sometimes the directory double-nesting confuses OpenCPN: This was the final hurdle in the "install"
: Contains a handful of system files and a unique empty file ending with a .EXD extension (e.g., 20110803.EXD ). The filename formatting dictates the exact publication date ( YYYYMMDD ) of the dataset.
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Ensure that the root of your CM93 folder directly contains the subfolders named with numbers and the core tracking files. If there is an accidental "folder within a folder" structure, your chartplotter software will not recognize the data. Step 3: Installing CM93 v2 in OpenCPN (Windows, Mac, Linux)
CM93 was a proprietary vector chart format created by (now part of Jeppesen, a Boeing company). Version 2 (v2) was released in the early 2000s. It contains:
QuteNav is a newer chart plotter application for Sailfish OS and Linux that supports CM93 v2 charts offline. If you are using this application, you must point it to the correct folder (for example, via DOTS → Chart Folders → Add) and perform a full database update to see the charts displayed correctly.