Cruising abroad - information source's

[Viking]

Where do you go first for information on new cruising areas abroad? CA?, Local Pilot books?, local tourist boards via internet?, Which internet sources?, Other's, word of mouth ie other yachtsmen.?????

 

[Twister_Ken]

Cruising Association MyCA members' only forum and the Cruising Association library. But, I'm a member, so that was an easy one to answer.

 

[TQA]

I check NOONSITE.COM first.

By far the most reliable and uptodate source of key information that I have found.

Next I check the cruising guide [and its publication date] but accept that information can not be uptodate.

If there is a cruisers net on the go I might ask for advice on a particular subject but am always cautious about the reliability of the answers. If I know that the boat has been there recently then it is good but so often you get 5th hand distortions from 10 years ago that have the status of urban myths.

 

[vyv_cox]

Where do you go first for information on new cruising areas abroad? CA?, Local Pilot books?, local tourist boards via internet?, Which internet sources?, Other's, word of mouth ie other yachtsmen.?????

I'm not sure what non-members of CA can see on their website, so this may not be relevant if you are not one. The cruising guides are currently being redone under the leadership of Jim Baerselman. Under each Mediterranean country there is a page or so of general information about climate, travel and major ports and harbours, plus a few words on good and bad places to visit. As time goes on all the detailed information on each country will be gathered into a single folder, currently rather widely distributed. This will largely be based upon the input of members who have been there, so is current and focused.

Otherwise, for the Med, Jim Baerselman's own website would be a good starting point. http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/

 

[jonic]

Another vote for http://www.noonsite.com/

Where are you thinking of going?

 

[Ariadne]

Noonsite, here, OCC web site (members only), the best is recommendations from fellow cruisers then follow up with pilots etc.

 

[Richard10002]

I automatically come here. If a search doesnt reveal the desired result, a post usually gets replies withing minutes, or a few hours at most. You either get someone who has done it before, or some relevant links, or both.

Ditto for problems with the boat.

This is an amazing resource and it always amazes me how much people are prepared to do to help, (including me when I have a contribution to make ). It's a bit like Pay It Forwards.

 

[Roaring Girl]

* Cruising Association, the liveaboard forum here, the cruisersforum website.

* Pilots and charts

* reading all sorts of books about places, including sailory ones

* talking to cruisers coming the other way

* Going and having a look!

All of the above, in no particular order of priority!