Tidal stream atlas's/data; sources

[pcatterall]

Still armchair planning!!
The trip is from Preston to the South coast in spring and crossing Solent to Le Havre in May.
I recognise that good tidal stream data is invaluable especially for coastal work around the uk. I like to have good info for planning but also to have it on hand for ( the inevitable) 'changes to the plan' !!
I know there is lots of stuff on disk and some very detailed atlas's for specific areas.
This is a one off/way trip so I don't want to spend loads of dosh on atlas's which may never be used again!
Any advice please.

 

[JSYmartini]

One cheap option if you have a smartphone is to buy an app like Navionics which will give you tide heights and streams for the whole UK.

Or for £13 you could buy the Reeds Small Craft Almanac which will have tidal stream data plus much more info which you are going to need anyway.

 

[guernseyman]

Tidal stream atlases available,new and used, at booksellers for less than £10. Amazon, WHSmith, Abebooks.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks guys. Is the navionics stuff detailed enough? I think I had the Reeds almanack but that it ( again ) was not detailed.
I have seen the various atlas's, is it the case that ( if coast hoping) I need detailed atlas's for each part of the coast we may visit?

 

[Skysail]

You don't need lots of books.

The Reeve-Fowkes Western and Eastern Channel covers almost all your plan for £20.00. If you look after them there is a ready resale market. I would not make the passage without them.
.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Skysail. I could get that and then look for sources of the areas outside that.
realise that I should replace my almanac ( last one left on my last boat) There seems to be a plethora of Almanacs around ( and prices ) it would be nice to browse them before deciding.
Any recommendations on that? is there a big difference between the PBO small craft almanac and the Aberdeen/Reeds version ( mit Marinas!!) for example

 

[VicS]

Another vote for Reeves-Fowkes .

But I would have though that for armchair planning the tidal charts in Reeds were quite adequate.

If not then the tidal stream charts at http://www.visitmyharbour.com/ certainly are.
Just about all the charts you need for planning the trip to the south coast on there as well.

I'd suggest Reeds for pilotage notes including details of lights and buoys.

 

[nigel1]

Might be able to help, PM sent

 

[LadyInBed]

Get any old almanac and use the data
I have scanned and laminated mine: