Almanacs

[ColleyV8]

Daft question time, are Reeds Almanacs like calendars

Just bought my boat and would like to take advantage of any weather windows for 2023

Do I need a 2023 almanac, and buy a 2024 next year?

Also if my cruising ground will be wales and Irish sea, but may go to Portsmouth next year, are they area based or all uk?

Sorry, only used to day power boats so never used one

 

[Boathook]

Reeds do a full UK almanac or ones for the channel, etc. You can buy the 2024 version now but the tidetables are for next year so would need to sort that out by going online for tide times.
I use easytide.admiralty.co.uk that shows the next 7 days tides free of charge. There are other ones that people on here prefer, but some require money.

 

[ColleyV8]

Thanks, so it is only the tide tables that are specific, I can live with that, found a site that will do tides for a year anyway

 

[ashtead]

If visiting Portsmouth KHM publish useful info and you can sign up to receive emailed notices etc. sad to say I haven’t refilled my loose leaf almanac for a few years but if you do I think it also gives online stuff .

 

[Yealm]

I use Absolute Tides app - gives tides for about a year ahead I think.
And buy a paper Almanac every few years for the port details.

 

[Sandy]

I purchase a new Reeds every seven years and like @Yealm use Absolute Tides as they use the same data to work out the tides. Although there is a problem with the 2023 data past the end of October and it fails to give you the tidal curves. I've written to the developers three times, but there is a stony silence. I shall be all over the 2024 download when I buy it.

 

[dunedin]

I use Absolute Tides app - gives tides for about a year ahead I think.
And buy a paper Almanac every few years for the port details.

I use Absolute Tides also. But rather than a “jack of all trades” item like an “almanac” why not invest in the proper pilot books / sailing directions for the area you plan to sail. These tend to cover in a lot more detail than an almanac.
Not sure the best pilot book(s) for your sailing area but might be something like this - Irish Sea Pilot

 

[benjenbav]

I used to buy an almanac every year. Few years back a sailing school was pleased to get a couple of boxes full of old ones still useful for training.

 

[B27]

We do carry an Almanac.
We don't tend to use it for tide times, but it's good for:
Plans of ports, which often show things which are not on the chart, e.g. visitor moorings
Distance tables
VHF channels for Harbour Master etc
Phone numbers for HM, clubs
Pilotage info and passage info, there's enough in there to survive if your Navionics should take the day off.
Tide Stream chartlets are IMHO in a more accessible form than most apps, to get an overview of streams.

There is a lot in there, and knowing that so much is in that one book (somewhere!) can be handy if things get fraught.

 

[bedouin]

Almanacs contain a lot of useful information but - apart from the tides - they don't go out of date very quickly. I update mine every 4 or 5 years and use other sources of tidal information in between.

In the OPs situation I would certainly buy the 2024 version, and use an on line source for tides for any trips this year. There are many free sources of tidal information for the next 7 days.

 

[MontyMariner]

Distance tables

Distance tables (for S coast and X Channel) plus some tide info. Put them on your phone / tablet, then their always to hand
Times & Distance : Monty Mariner North Sea Co-Tidal lines

 

[Sandy]

Distance tables (for S coast and X Channel) plus some tide info. Put them on your phone / tablet, then their always to hand
Times & Distance : Monty Mariner North Sea Co-Tidal lines

Some of us also need a magnifying glass to read stuff on our phone, not to mention finding the appropriate file.

 

[Bristolfashion]

I'm an almanac junky! Reeds, CA and the local pilot guide.

 

[B27]

You can have everything on your phone, but if you have crew or guests, the almanac is available to all.

It also keeps working long after Navionics has killed your phone battery or a big green wave has entered the cabin.

Also good for chocking trailer wheels...

 

[MontyMariner]

I'm an almanac junky! Reeds, CA and the local pilot guide.

My goto is Bloc Marine, it also gives some info on UK S Coast.

 

[MontyMariner]

Some of us also need a magnifying glass to read stuff on our phone

You need to learn to spread your two fingers

 

[capnsensible]

I'm an almanac junky! Reeds, CA and the local pilot guide.

Check out this guy loading up for the Ocean Globe Race!

 

[Sandy]

Check out this guy loading up for the Ocean Globe Race!

He should have waited for high water before struggling down the ramp at Ocean Village.

Quite why he needs a copy of Reeds 2023 and 2024, and so many weather books does lead me to worry about his skill.

 

[capnsensible]

He should have waited for high water before struggling down the ramp at Ocean Village.

Quite why he needs a copy of Reeds 2023 and 2024, and so many weather books does lead me to worry about his skill.

Do you get what the Ocean Globe Race is about? Chekkit and you will see why. bet he knows how to navigate accurately with a sextant....

 

[Sandy]

Do you get what the Ocean Globe Race is about? Chekkit and you will see why. bet he knows how to navigate accurately with a sextant....

I fully understand what the Ocean Globe Race is about and hope the chap carrying all the books is far more accurate than me with a sextant. I politely declined an invitation both to the 'Race Village' and the start. Hence questioning the need struggle down the ramp at OV as I can't see any use for Reeds in the Southern Ocean. At this level skippers, and crew, should be competent ocean sailors and am even more puzzled at the reading material on weather. It would be an unusual passage to submit for an RYA Ocean ticket.

I am not a fan of the McIntyre harp back at a golden era of sailing races, but wish every competitor well. Materials, nutrition and clothing have moved on, I assume they are not still using hemp string and cotton sails.