Do any of you know of any web sites where we can view and/or print nautical charts, for free? I'm talking about something like Mapquest or Google Maps, for lakes, coastal charts, bays, with depth info. etc. ?

Never mind, I found something. But if you know of a better site, please do tell.

http://www.charts.noaa.gov/

That is one thing I wish we could emulate here in Europe. You make the results of public financed stuff available to the public. That is the right way to create business opportunities and get good payback on the investment.

how do you select an area from that page?

Click on the "parent directory" at the top, then the Viewer link, then there is a menu that comes up. I was able to zoom in and print what I needed. Very nice, and free.

http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ is a better starting point. You can download the electronic charts from NOAA and use some shareware software to view / print.

SeaClearII is a nice freeware that also can communicate with your GPS. http://www.sping.com/seaclear/

Thanks Jake and Genealex.

Try this site that mixes noaa charts with Google Maps. Move the slider bar on the top right to adjust transparency or chart relative to ground features. Worked nicely for the south shore of lake erie but didn't check anywhere else.
http://demo.geogarage.com/noaa

That is most excellent! Thanks!