Reeds Nautical Almanac - best edition ?

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Boo2

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Hi,

I see Reeds do a ring bound version of their Nautical Almanac and I wondered how this compares in practical use with the normal paperback version ? There doesn't seem to be a hardback edition, or am I missing something ?

Thanks,

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
Hi,

I see Reeds do a ring bound version of their Nautical Almanac and I wondered how this compares in practical use with the normal paperback version ? There doesn't seem to be a hardback edition, or am I missing something ?

Thanks,

Boo2
Click to expand...

This seems to be coming back every year round about this time.

Been there done that got the tee shirt...

Back to paperback with its cover strengthened by Duck tape at the beginning of the season. It is not quite a hard back but a bit better than the softback sold. Its cover still peels off round about September. But Tigger is heavily chartered and the almanac gets a good drubbing.

Ring binder? Well, the binder is OK, but the pages are **** and tear too easily. It might work at home, but not on a real boat.

That's my take, anyhow.
 
I get the loose leaf version. Extract the three sections I need and run a piece of cord through the holes. Fits in the chart desk and most importantly stays open at the page I'm on! I keep a plastic sleeve for use on deck. The rest goes back in the box which is chucked in a locker. Works for me!
 
I've got the looseleaf version as well. 2011 update pack (for my birthday!) from WH Smiths for £23.99 including delivery seemed good value.
 
My local yacht club's sent me an email flyer on a free almanac designed for mobile phones - its sailingalmanac.com its a web based service and not an App and its seems to work on both iphone and Android.
 
I used the looseleaf version for the first time last year.

Disadvantages -

easily torn at the punched holes.

Advantages -

you can throw most of it away (unless you are going to cover a huge mileage during the year).

when piloting you can remove a page, put it in a clear plastic sleeve and take it into the cockpit.
 
If you have a Reeds from last (or this) year, why not buy the Crusing Association Almanac this year and keep both on board.

The CA almanac lasts for two years as they send you out a fresh set of tide tables. These are separate from the ports guide which is great because you're not constantly flicking back to Dover and forth to the port you're in :)

Worth a look anyway
 
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Having tried the loose leaf version we've gone back to the book. For us it's much more practical, less flimsy and takes up less space than the binder.

At SIBS this year we manged to acquire the 2011 edition at no cost. We were paying a large sum for two new winches and, after agreeing a price for them, we asked the retailer to throw in a new Reeds for free.

The current going rate for Reeds 2011 is about £30, e.g. £29.95 at the Marine Super Store.
 
I used to buy Reeds, but they rather let me down with their online debacle in 2009, and I hear they're going to have another go at going online next spring. I have to say this one http://sailingalmanac.com/ seems to have it all, and what's more its portable and it seems pretty up-to-date with their Nav News.
 
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snooks said:
If you have a Reeds from last (or this) year, why not buy the Crusing Association Almanac this year and keep both on board.

The CA almanac lasts for two years as they send you out a fresh set of tide tables. These are separate from the ports guide which is great because you're not constantly flicking back to Dover and forth to the port you're in :)

Worth a look anyway
Click to expand...

The cruising Association Almanac is now a yearly publication and the Tide tables are in the back of it, not in a separate booklet.
 
Just ordered the loose leaf version £30 + free delivery (Amazon). Like the flexibility of being able to remove the pages. Also annual upgrade pack (think £20)
 
ZEBEDEE said:
The cruising Association Almanac is now a yearly publication and the Tide tables are in the back of it, not in a separate booklet.
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Well that's just pants! :(

I really like the separate format...I didn't know how we would get on with it, but it's great cos you don't need to drag out a big almanac, to find out the time of your local standard port

Hurrumph!
 
Sailfree said:
Will you be at LIBS?

Will you be selling it there at that price?

Price is OK its the P&P that kills it.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, as far as I am aware with the current position, the company decision this year is not to attend, due to operating costs to do so. (We're based about as far away as you can get without moving off the mainland!) :(
 
Boo2 said:
Hi,

I see Reeds do a ring bound version of their Nautical Almanac and I wondered how this compares in practical use with the normal paperback version ? There doesn't seem to be a hardback edition, or am I missing something ?

Thanks,

Boo2
Click to expand...

loose leaf, then laminate the pages you are going to use. Keep them in a separate waterproof file. Now you've got an on deck almanac.

If you can't be bothered to laminate the pages, get the book as they are too thin otherwise as others have said.
 
Loose leaf Reeds v book

My vote is for the 3 ring binder party.

Pros - lies flat open at the pages I am using - wheras it is impossible to keep the book open flat. That is handy for pilotage checking on chartlets etc - the book keeps flopping shut.
Can remove sections if going to sail somewhere else - for example if I go to N. I. to sail my brother's boat I just take out the relevant Irish chapter plus the pages for Dover - the tidal stream chartlets all refer to times of HW Dover so that is all you need.
A wee bit cheaper.


Cons - the three ring binder is a bit of a ballicks - can't find another thee ring binder anywhere - I like to store last year's almanac at home for passage plans but the common size is 4 holes.
The pages do tear out easily - but easy to reinforce the few pages for Home Port and Dover with hole reinforcers as they are the ones I tend to use most.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
 
No, the best edition of Reed's was the old hard back one with the entertaining habit of moving almost at random into bold type and,of course, not forgetting the invaluable section on "emergency childbirth at sea"! Every boat should have one. Nostalgia from an old salt. JB
 
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