What are CM93 V2 charts?
CM93 V2 charts are a popular choice among sailors and navigators, offering a comprehensive and accurate electronic chart display system. These charts provide detailed information on water depths, navigation aids, and other essential data for safe and efficient navigation.
System Requirements
Before downloading and installing CM93 V2 charts, ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements:
Downloading CM93 V2 Charts
To download CM93 V2 charts, follow these steps:
Installing CM93 V2 Charts
Once you've downloaded the CM93 V2 charts, follow these steps to install them:
C:\CM93V2\Charts.setup.exe or install.exe) and run it as an administrator.Tips and Troubleshooting
CM93 v2 Charts: Complete Download and Installation Guide CM93 v2 charts are a legacy worldwide vector chart database frequently used by offshore sailors and cruisers. While newer formats like CM93 v3 and S-63 exist, CM93 v2 remains popular due to its compatibility with free navigation software like OpenCPN and its relatively small file size. What are CM93 v2 Charts?
CM93-version2 charts are distinct from standard S-57 vector charts. They use a unique folder structure consisting of roughly 144 subdirectories, each covering a geographical area.
Format: The top directory typically contains a file with a .EXD extension (e.g., 20110803.EXD), which indicates the edition date.
Coverage: They provide global coverage at various scales, from world-scale ( ) down to detailed harbor plans ( or larger).
Legal Note: Official support for CM93 v2 ended around 2014, and many versions found online are outdated or distributed via peer-to-peer sites. For safety, always cross-reference these with official, up-to-date NOAA ENC charts or o-charts. Where to Download CM93 v2 Charts
Because CM93 v2 is no longer sold commercially for leisure use, users often source them from community forums or archival sites:
Maritime Forums: Sites like Maritime Forum (SeaTracker) often host links to world chart sets (approximately 1.7 GB).
Archive Sources: Some educational sites like Marine-Courses provide direct download links for OpenCPN-compatible versions.
SourceForge: While Open Nautical Charts on SourceForge is a common destination, verify that the download is specifically the CM93 v2 database and not generic raster files. How to Install CM93 v2 Charts in OpenCPN
Installing these charts is a manual process that involves pointing your navigation software to the top-level folder. 1. Prepare the Files
Download and extract the chart archive (usually a .zip or .rar file). cm93 v2 charts download install
Ensure the resulting folder contains the 144 numeric subdirectories (e.g., 00300000) and the .EXD file. 2. Configure OpenCPN Open OpenCPN. Click the Options (wrench icon) in the toolbar.
Navigate to the Charts tab and select the Chart Files sub-tab.
Click Add Directory and select the folder where you extracted the CM93 charts. Check the box for "Scan Charts and Update Database".
Click Apply or OK. OpenCPN will build a chart database index. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Charts Not Appearing: If the charts don't load, verify they are actually Version 2. OpenCPN does not support CM93 Version 3.
Lack of Detail: Use the "Chart Detail" slider (shortcut key: D) to increase the level of soundings and navigation marks shown on the screen.
Positional Offsets: Some older CM93 data may have geographic offsets. You can manually adjust these in the CM93 Offsets settings if you notice markers are shifted relative to known GPS coordinates. Installing Charts - OpenCPN
CM93 v2 charts are a legacy worldwide vector chart format commonly used with OpenCPN. While officially obsolete and often shared through unofficial channels, they remain popular for hobbyist marine navigation. 1. Verification of Format
Before installing, ensure you have the correct version. OpenCPN supports CM93 v2, but does not support CM93 v3 due to encryption.
v2 Indicators: The directory should contain approximately 144 subdirectories (named with 8-digit numbers) and a specific .EXD file (e.g., 20110803.EXD).
Data Structure: The subdirectories represent geographical areas of 40° x 40°, with the filenames based on coordinates. 2. Download Sources
Because CM93 v2 is no longer sold commercially, it is typically found on community forums or archival sites:
Public Archives: Users often share links on Maritime Forum or via Facebook Groups.
Warning: Be cautious of "free download" sites that prompt for EXE file downloads or Flash Player installs, as these are often malicious. 3. Installation Steps for OpenCPN
Once you have the folder (e.g., "CM93_2011"), follow these steps to load it into OpenCPN: Open Settings: Click the "Options" (gear icon) in OpenCPN.
Navigate to Charts: Select the Charts tab, then Chart Files.
Add Directory: Click Add Directory and browse to the folder containing your CM93 files (select the top-level folder that contains the 144 subdirectories).
Rebuild Database: Click Apply or OK. OpenCPN will scan the folders and build a database.
View Charts: If successful, the world map will now show detailed vector data when you zoom in on coastal areas. 4. Important Considerations Installing Charts - OpenCPN What are CM93 V2 charts
CM93_2010 folder somewhere permanent (e.g., C:\Charts\CM93_2010 or /home/user/Charts/CM93_2010).OpenCPN recognizes CM93 charts if placed in its chart directories and index updated.
Windows:
macOS / Linux:
These charts are old; the codebase is even older. Here’s how to make them run smoothly on a laptop or marine PC:
C:\ProgramData\opencpn\~/Library/Application Support/OpenCPN/~/.opencpn/CM93_Key.txt.CMap Demo Chart CM-93/3
If you encounter any issues during the download or installation process, consider reaching out to the device manufacturer’s customer support for assistance. They can provide model-specific guidance and troubleshooting steps.
CM93 v2 (C-MAP93 Edition 2) charts are a legacy worldwide vector chart database popular among mariners for use in open-source navigation software like
. Although this format is technically obsolete and replaced by CM93 v3, its lack of modern encryption makes it compatible with free software that cannot legally support newer, protected versions. Downloading CM93 v2 Charts
Official distribution of CM93 v2 has been discontinued, meaning they are typically sourced through community archives and forums. Soggy Paws Archive
: This site maintains links to various legacy chart sets, including CM93 v2 for regions like SE Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific. Maritime Forums : Communities such as SeaTracker
often share links (frequently via Google Drive or Mega) for specific versions, such as the "CM93 11.20.15 Mariners Guide". General Search Warning
: Be cautious of "free download" sites offering executable (
) files; legitimate chart sets should be folders containing many subdirectories and a version file. Installation Guide (OpenCPN)
To install these charts, you must point your navigation software to the top-level folder of the CM93 dataset. Installing Charts - OpenCPN
CM93 v2 is a global vector chart format originally developed by C-MAP. While officially considered obsolete since approximately 2014, these charts remain popular among the cruising community because they are unencrypted and compatible with open-source navigation software like OpenCPN. Critical Warning
CM93 v2 charts found online are often outdated (most "recent" legitimate data dates to 2011–2012) and are frequently distributed via unofficial or pirated channels. Never rely solely on these charts for primary navigation. For safe passage-making, always use updated official ENCs or licensed charts from providers like o-charts. 1. Downloading CM93 v2 Charts
Because CM93 v2 is no longer sold to the public, users typically source them from maritime community forums or file-sharing sites.
Identify the Correct Version: Ensure you are getting Version 2. Version 3 is encrypted and will not work with OpenCPN.
Verify the File Structure: A legitimate CM93 v2 folder should contain approximately 144 subdirectories (named with 8-digit numbers like 00300000) and a .EXD file (e.g., 20110803.EXD) in the top directory.
Sources: Community platforms like Cruisers & Sailing Forums or sites like Maritime Forum (SeaTracker) often host legacy download links. 2. Installing in OpenCPN Operating System: Windows 10 (or later) or macOS
Once downloaded and extracted, follow these steps to add the charts to your navigation system: CM93v2 chart download - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
CM93v2 chart download - Cruisers & Sailing Forums. Forums. New Posts. Home > Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling > OpenCPN. Cruisers Forum Installing Charts - OpenCPN
To download and install CM93 v2 charts, you primarily use OpenCPN, a free open-source navigation software that supports this legacy global vector chart format. 1. Download OpenCPN and CM93 v2 Charts
OpenCPN Software: Download the latest version of the chart plotter from the Official OpenCPN Website.
CM93 v2 Chart Database: Official distribution of these charts ended years ago, but legacy versions (often from 2012–2015) are frequently shared in cruising communities. You can find links on sites like S/V Soggy Paws or via community threads on the Cruisers & Sailing Forum. 2. Prepare the Chart Files
Extraction: CM93 v2 files usually come in a compressed .zip or .rar format. Use a tool like 7-Zip to extract them into a dedicated folder on your computer (e.g., C:\Charts\CM93).
Verification: Ensure the extracted folder contains many subdirectories with numeric names (e.g., "00300000") and a file ending in .EXD (e.g., 20110803.EXD), which indicates the database version. 3. Install in OpenCPN Installing Charts - OpenCPN
Captain Elias sat in the dim glow of his cabin, the salt-crusted windows of the Windweaver
rattling against a rising gale. Tomorrow, he was set to navigate the jagged shoals of the Peloponnese, but his paper charts were decades old. He needed the precision of CM93 v2 charts
—the legendary, unencrypted vector maps that had guided cruisers across the world’s oceans for years.
With a steady hand, he opened his laptop to begin the ritual every modern mariner knows: the "download and install" voyage. The Digital Cargo: Finding and Downloading
Elias knew these charts weren't just single files; they were a complex treasure chest of data. He sought out a reliable source—often shared among sailors on forums like the Maritime Forum
or specialized cruising sites—to find a version like the "CM93 2015" edition.
He watched the progress bar as 1.7 GB of data—containing 144 folders with cryptic 8-digit names—streamed onto his drive. Once the download finished, he used a tool like to extract the folder, revealing the telltale that acted as the heartbeat of the dataset. Setting the Course: Installing in OpenCPN With the data ready, Elias launched
, his trusted open-source navigator. The installation was a simple matter of pointing the software to its new eyes: Installing Charts - OpenCPN 30 Dec 2024 —
The most common issue after "installation" is OpenCPN showing an empty map. This is due to encryption.
CM93 v2 charts are encrypted with a proprietary C-Map key. OpenCPN includes a reverse-engineered decoder, but your chart set might need a specific CM93_Key.txt file.
CM93 v2 charts are a well-known standard in the maritime community for electronic navigation. They are raster charts (or more accurately, a hybrid vector/raster format) widely used in navigation software like OpenCPN, SeaClear, and various plotters.