Digital electronics have caused massive changes to navigation technology in the latter half
of the twentieth century. This paper presents an alternative view to much of the commentary
on the future of electronic navigation. It is written from a small craft perspective, although
the principles are of value to commercial and naval shipping. Essentially, it proposes the
development of environmental simulation as the basis for computer-hosted charting systems
on vessels. This is drawn from the author's experience of developing the DyGeo system for
environmental simulation, of which the navigation version forms a part. It stresses that much
of the additional data we have placed on charts this century has been cultural in content, and
necessitates a large bureaucratic system for its maintenance. An environmental system
requires different types of inputs, but can be largely self-maintaining. The advent of the
inexpensive, portable, personal computer has put this sort of facility in the hands of the
leisure mariner as well as professional navigators.