Its almost time for my annual Q Adventure nad as I am pooring over maps and dreaming I looked at my map case  (Chinook) and need a new one. The Chinook was a complete waste of money and never was "Waterproof", resistant yes waterproof  :-[ not at all.

So far my choice I have narrowed my choices down to:

Dry Pak   (You need to Login or Register

Sea Line   (You need to Login or Register

The old style Sea Line is not  Waterproof, as I have a friend who has one and I have pictures of his maps on the clothes line at camp  :'(

This year my son age 12 is going to start carrying a map in the bow, so he can better learn to navigate. I am interested in 12 x 16 size to aid him in the learning process and eliminate the constant turn, fold, flip routine.

Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated.

I have tried lots of different solutions for keeping maps and charts dry.  Most haven't been very successful.  I have tried a number of map cases and the problem I've found is not that they don't keep the water out but that over time, usually in the course of a single trip, the plastic seams tear.  Last year I picked up the Sealine case, the one with the roll down top, and was very pleased.  It did what it was supposed to do.  That said I've only used it for one season (about 30 days on the water) but so far its held together and kept the water out.

I have no experience with either of the two cases you mentioned.
I use a Granite Gear map case that isn't waterproof by design as it just has a fold over top secured with Velcro.

I've had great luck with using zip-lock type plastic bags to put my folded maps in. I found some on line that are 2 gallon I believe. Laid flat, they fit the clear portion of my map case. I fold and stack my maps in relationship to my line of travel. I've found that by squeezing out all the extra air and zipping them, I end up with a waterproof map case.
You could do the same with your old Chinook. To avoid the flip and fold, you could put one map per zip lock bag. I think you could do it so you just flip the bag to continue on with the line of travel.
I'm using McKenzie maps but unless your using just one map like a Chrismar, it should work okay.

Thanks for the reply, I have been using the ziplock method inside the chinook. Unfortunetly the seal is torn badly at the corners and is ready to be retired.

I think i am leaning toward the sealine with the rool top and velcro. i am also thinking about throwing a couple of those little dessicant packets that come in electroincs and various other products.

I normally take a fisher map and canadian topo. Since they are different scales I can flip back and forth from one side to the other with out opening the case on the water. I use the topo to log wildlife, plants fishing structure, eyc. On the fisher I mark campsites, portages, sandy areas etc.  
You can use a sharpie mark on the outside of the map case then wipe it off at camp after you transpose it to the map.

Its great for reliving previous trips :)

I run a granite gear case also, it seems to be of a similar design to the piece that is mentioned above. It is also true that I refold multiple times during the day and run the "lake finder" maps in ziplock style bags inside the case. I also add notations in sharpie to the Fisher and Voyager maps as it strikes me. I believe the GG case is somewhere around 15-18 years old, no construction issue except i did replace 1 of the cam style buckles in the last couple of years went 1 of the rention tabs on the plastic buckle finally gave out. It has 100's of days in trips on it , most likely 1000's. Not sure if they are still the same but I would do it again. It's hard to loss something purple I might add, and the price was right to boot. Oh if that map case could talk!

I use a double zip-loc. Not perfect but hey, it works. The white logo and label areas come off easily with denatured alcohol. Any alcohol would probably work as well I suppose.

I use the Chrismar for traveling and that's waterproof anyway. The printed topo details I take are sprayed with crystal clear. That's not perfect either but they are just for marking up. That's mostly busy work. Even I can remember where things are 'till I get home and an done unpacking.

Hey Saltedleech - before you buy, check out The Boundary Waters Journal Trading Post. I've had his map case for 6 years. I believe it is a  beafed up version of the GG one. It works perfect for me. It is not real big, about the size you are looking for.  You can only view 1 side but it keeps water out well and it is tough. I had the plastic clasp (like the clasp on most packs )snapped around my thwart and It was strong enough to hold my eagle fish finder on when a floppy northern got caught in the transducer cable :o. I spray the cordura back side each year w/ a heavy coat of camp dry. I think it is around $25. Good luck!

I guess they don't make my map case anymore.  It's a Sealine case with a very stout zip-loc style closure, yellow fabric running down the sides, with d rings.  It's been on at least 20 trips (all 6 nights or more).  Great experience with it.  If you can find one, let me know and I'll buy another.

I have a GG case with a ziploc tip closure. I really like it but it isn't very durable. The first one I bought only lasted about 3 seasons but I liked it enough that a replaced it with the same thing anyway. The first one basically dry roted and got a few cracks. The one I have now doesn't seem to be doing that at all, so far (this will be its third year) Just bad batch on the first one? Otherwise I really like it.
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There is a whole other approach you can take.  If you have a route planned in advance, make a copy of various sections of the map along the route using plain paper.  It can be one map per day or mutliple maps per day.  Get a cheap zip-lock waterproof case and each morning put the day's map(s) in that case.  At the end of the day, put them in the campfire.  All you other day's maps and your "real" map stay dry and protected in your waterproof pack.

I'm surprised to hear that about the SeaLine.  Their stuff is usually good stuff.

I use zip-locks and waterproof paper.  I've seen people laminate maps.

Someone gave me a cheap one as a present, it quickly became all milky and useless before I ever tried it.

I like to have my maps laminated, then it doesn't matter.  Our church children's program had a great laminating machine and they used to laminate them for me.  

I then still use a map case for ease of use and storage, but I don't ever have to worry about my maps gettng wet.

I laminate my maps as well. If I was able to make trips of great distance it might not work too well, resulting in too many sheets to carry, however not my problem. One 'trick' that I do, is to use two maps that I cut up and overlap or duplicate the section where you would go on to the next sheet.
Best Wishes, Rob

Thanks for all the suggestions. I went with the sealine version that Campmor Sells. If it doesnt work I will go back to the ziplock inside the sealine, least until its time for another one.

I will let you know how they worked when we get back from our trip. ;)

we leave in just over 2 weeks  :o