Caribbean pilots advice

[Biscayan]

I am spending several months in the Eastern Caribbean, and would like to purchase any books in advance.

I like Imray pilots, used extensively in West European and Med waters, but their "Grenada to the Virgin Islands" is slightly outdated (last edition in 2015). Could anyone provide advice about any better option?

Thanks.

 

[Bajansailor]

Chris Doyle's Cruising Guide to the Windward Islands is always excellent, and regularly updated.
https://doyleguides.com/

There is even a free brief guide to Barbados in my 'signature' below.

 

[Sandy]

Despite being a luddite when it comes to electronic navigation I use the internet with old pilot books. The coastline does not move much and the old pilot book gives you a starter for 10. With the addition upto date information from the net I create my own pilot book.

I am sure you will be using Noonsite.

 

[Biscayan]

Thanks for your replies.

Interested in the Chris Doyle's Cruising Guide, that I didn't know; but I couldn't find information about differences between this pilot and the Imray. Which one is better for navigational purposes (not for tourist information and trips ashore)?

As mentioned, the coastline should be in the same place (at least from 2015), so Imray pilot is still an option.

 

[Bajansailor]

Which one is better for navigational purposes

I think that Chris Doyle updates his Guide pretty much every year or 2 - he is continually sailing up and down the islands gathering information for them.
And this includes his wonderful sketch charts of the anchorages, buoy locations, photographs for pilotage etc.

 

[Kelpie]

Thanks for your replies.

Interested in the Chris Doyle's Cruising Guide, that I didn't know; but I couldn't find information about differences between this pilot and the Imray. Which one is better for navigational purposes (not for tourist information and trips ashore)?

As mentioned, the coastline should be in the same place (at least from 2015), so Imray pilot is still an option.

I don't have the Imray, just the Doyle's. I suspect the Imray is superior.
Doyle's is helpful but not a proper pilot book. Emphasis is on bars, shops, and tour guides, rather than technical pilotage information.
I was quite disappointed that he didn't cover any of the east coast of Martinique at all, despite several potential anchorages there.

 

[Bajansailor]

I was quite disappointed that he didn't cover any of the east coast of Martinique at all, despite several potential anchorages there.

That is strange - I do not have a recent Guide to the Windwards, but I remember seeing in the older editions fairly good coverage of the anchorages on the east coast of Martinique.
The map below is from the online free (but brief) taster guide at https://doyleguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/MTQ-martinique-2020.jpg

 

[Kelpie]

It covers Le Baie des Anglais, but completely misses the rest of the coast.