Which Port book?

[Wardy]

Another stupid question from a 'soon to be' proud owner of a Colvic Watson 28'6"'.

Entering harbours could be deigned dangerous, especially with the movement of larger craft within. So, I think there must be a publication that describes all of the UK harbours, gives directions in and VHF channels to report intention or monitor.

What is it?

Excuse my ignorant questions but this is my first foray into the world of Sailing/ Boatcraft (Unfortunately, one issue of PBO doesn't tell me everything). I've ordered up two books to assist; The Complete Yachtmaster & a Navigation book by Tom Cunliffe, hopeful that these will help.
Please bear with me! (Is that how you spell bear/bare?)

Steve

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[AndrewB]

The first thing you need is a Nautical Almanac for the UK and nearby countries. Virtually all yachts that go beyond their local waters carry one, as incidentally do most ships. One of the most popular is Macmillan-Reeds (see Tom Cunliffe's "Shell Channel Pilot" covering the English Channel, but there are generally several alternatives for all cruising areas. If you ask here which one is best for your main cruising area you will get opinions about a range. A selection can be found in most chandlers, or of course ordered in the usual way.

 

[SteveGorst]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://"www.nwcc.info">North Wales Cruising Club

 

[Georgio]

you want to get hold of a pilot book or Nautical Almanac such as as those from Reeds or the Cruising Association. There are many to chose from if you take a look in your local swindlery. They will contain the info you spoke of.

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[tcm]

imho, if you don't know of macmillan's, you should get some training on the boat, if only for a day, from someone. You can't learn it ALL from a book, esp if you ain't sure which book and anyway you'll have a happier time with a bit of show-how.

"please bear with me" is correct! tho either fine, really.

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[Swampyhotdog]

Don't worry about asking questions, it's the best way to learn.

My grandfather told me that you spend 3 years doing your ticket, and the rest of your life learning your trade.

Stu

<hr width=100% size=1>As with most posts here - my personal opinion - take it or leave it.
Stu

 

[Sunnyseeker]

I wouldn't worry too much about entering harbours and big ships, assuming you've got your eyes open you'll see them and if the space is really tight they will often have a police boat in front. The almanacs are usefull for telling you if there is a particular channel for small craft, or if there are lights signalling ships entering/leaving, or lock gates open/shut. These sort of rules generally only apply to the big commercial ports.
The almanacs will show you where the visitors pontoons/moorings are so just go in and tie up. Maybe its because we couldn't hear the radio on our boat, as it was too far away from the helming position? but I think I only used it to get a taxi a couple of times, and to chat to other boats about the weather

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[Soong]

Reeds Almanac, truely life saving info.

By the way, dont leave it in the privy at home - you may never come out... Just one more page!

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[peterb]

I don't know where you're planning to sail, but if the area is fairly restricted (like the East coast of England) then you could do a lot worse than looking at the Admiralty's Fisherman's Pilots. They're designed to provide everything that a fishing boat skipper might need, including chartlets, aerial photographs and tide tables for each port. For some reason they haven't had much publicity in the yachting world.

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[Oldhand]

You seem to be implying its OK to wait for a "Police" boat to tell you to get out of the way rather than knowing what you shouol be doing in the first place... Nuff said?

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[Wardy]

The actual act of learning to sail will be dealt with when we take possession of the boat (and I won't be going to sea without some help at first, hopefully there will be helpful crew, who'll show us the ropes, at hand; come the day.)
Thanks to all, for the information, I've ordered Macmillans Almanac off Amazon to become a little more worldly wise.

I'm sure there'll be another simple question to follow.

Thanks

Steve

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Does that mean you can ignore red lights which signify tidal gates.

From the sounds of it you may not have cruised to many foreign ports (foreign meaning not home rather than not British).

Sailing into an unknown harbour, lets exclude marinas here, but harbours where a little local knowledge is required, an almanac or pilot is vital, not just for finding the visitors moorings or pontoon if you are scared of dinghies.

I would like to see you enter places like Wexford in Eire without a pilot, not really a commercial port. Or even make passage through many of the races around the UK, most of which are clearly described in the pilots or almanacs.

Entering harbours the almanac will give you VHF information for port control, essential as you should monitor this channel if you are entering. I called them up the last time I entered Milford as it was midnight and I couldn't see anything. Other than hundreds of lights from buoys and ships obviously. I asked for any traffic information as I was crossing to Dale from the south and was assured that all movements had ceased for the night.

Almanac + vhf 1
eyeballs 0

I understand what you are saying, but anyone who sails away from home without almanac or able to hear VHF, and sails into busy commercial harbours will soon become a statistic. IMHO/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

</A>

 

[BrendanS]

I'm not sure. I usually draw up a little easily read charlet from the chart from the area, and make sure I have loads of waypoints on the plotter, and if possible talk to people who know that area before I go. Reason being, it's not easy to read many almanacs, and if you want the information in a hurry in the dark, they are def not he easiest source of information.

I usually check out the harbours or ports I will be entering on the internet first, the wealth of local information is enormous.

You don't need an almanac to get around tidal races, a search on the information here on the forums is far more illuminating.

Nothing wrong with almanacs and pilots, they are useful information sources, but I would typically only use one in anger if trying to enter a port in an emergency that I didn't already know, or more importantly have planned for.....and usually I have things like vhf channels for emergency ports en-route that I don't know already written down in a plastic folder on the helm. Far quicker to look up, and you build up a resource of these over time.

I've probably only used my Reeds twice in anger.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

wow, I am quite surprised by this. I usually read the almanac info before looking at the chartlets. I find using both gives you a good understanding of what to expect. Many entrances require transits, reading it in the almanac and then seeing it on the chartlet makes the passage comfortable.

We find, when visiting somewhere new we will talk about our proposed entrance. Both of us will read the info and then raise any questions if not sure. The internet is a valuable source of info, but even though I do have limited access aboard it is slow and expensive. I have never yet managed a passage that goes to plan, the weather always gets in the way of a proposed destination. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

I find also Pilot books one of the greatest sources of information, especially the overhead photographs. Nothing explains a strange looking entrance better than a well taken photo.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

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[BrendanS]

Yeas, but internet gives you overhead aerial shots etc that you can print off (as well as those in the mags, pull outs and the like) All far more informative than Reeds.

When I said chartlets, you'll see I said handwritten, I make my own, with bouys, flashes, leading lights etc, together with compass directions and time between each (based on expected speed). It's common practice on RYA courses to teach this. We do similar on night exercises with our club, and it's a very useful aid, everything you need is on one or possibly two pieces of paper, with all the essential information distilled out.

I use a variety of information sources. In the Solent, the books Solent Hazards and Wight Hazards are amazing. Detailed photos of everything you could possibly hit, taken at extreme low Spring tides, so you can see all the rocks that might get in your way. Lives on my boat, and much used. Far more so than Reeds.

PS did you ever see the BoatHow site. If not, pm me your email address, and I'll send you a few PDF examples of their downloadable pilots.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Jeremy_W]

>>>> I've ordered up two books to assist; The Complete Yachtmaster & a Navigation book by Tom Cunliffe, hopeful that these will help. Please bear with me!

Books with yachtmaster in the title are usually Intermediate standard rather than Beginner level. Books with "Day Skipper" in the title are written for the absolute beginner. You may find Cunliffe's "Complete Day Skipper" and Pat Langley-Price/ Phil Ouvray's "Day Skipper Navigation" very helpful.

Gerry Smith's "Coastal Navigation" lays the absolute basics of navigation on with a trowel. Thoroughly recommended by this Bear of Very Little Brain.

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[Peter_Chennell]

Congratulations on your boat purchase! Sailing is a great pastime, and will give you countless hours of pleasure if you do it right. However if you do it wrong the consequences range from mere embarrassment, through expensive mistakes, to the real possibility of death or serious injury. We sail in a benign environment, but the sea can be a dangerous place.

Reading between the lines of your two posts, I gather that, as this is your “first foray into the world of Sailing/ Boatcraft” you haven’t had any training, and indeed your sensible question about Pilot Guides show that you are aware that there is a lot to know.

You say that “The actual act of learning to sail” will be acquired, but I’m sure all contributors to this bulletin board will agree that there is a lot more to it than that. You could compare it with learning how to steer a car, and owning a road map – in principle you’re okay, but in practice there is a lot of knowledge and technique to acquire.

You’re obviously keen to get out on your boat, and will be accompanied by experienced yachtsmen – that is a good way to start, but, as Winter is near, may I suggest you consider attending one of the excellent courses run by the RYA http://www.rya.org.uk/ . They are really enjoyable, and will provide you with good knowledge to augment the practical experience you will get with your friends. You will be amazed at how much there is to know!

If I’ve misunderstood your level of experience, please forgive me for trying to teach you to suck eggs!

Happy (and safe) sailing!


<hr width=100% size=1>Sea Safety Manager - RNLI

 

[Evadne]

I knew the RNLI was naturally pessimistic but to warn that winter is approaching at this time of year is taking it a bit far!

Seriously, you are right to recommend evening classes, it's a great way of meeting a good range of people, but they don't start until September.
The sub-thread started by Jools has lots of sound advice, and if you are sailing in and out of a non-commercial harbour then that is a good way of gaining experience of harbour handling, possibly the most dangerous phase of any voyage.
One small tip is to always look over your shoulder as you leave, so you'll recognise it when you are looking for it again. Not as daft as it sounds.

Entering an unfamiliar harbour, I always have the pilot open in the cockpit for reference, it's better to damage an expensive book than a cheap yacht. Reeds/MacMillans just won't stay open at the chartlet page when you need it to. I use the shell pilot (the 2-book edition, not as new as the TC version) and Jack Coote's east coast pilot, both are excellent, I can't vouch for other areas. I believe the Cruising Association's handbook is highly recommended, so if you plan on going to lots of different places it might be worth the investment. If you're not sure which pilot to buy, buy both. Two books is better than one.


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[Wardy]

Thanks everyone for contributing with ideas, books and information.
I have very limited knowledge at the moment and intend to fully gen up on everything I can before setting foot on the boat. Once the boat is ready I intend to get all the help I can to understand it inside out and yes, a RYA course will be high on my list of priorities.

Getting through the terminology of sailing is certainly proving fun, simple things that are assumed that I should know are actually hard to decipher in the land-locked midlands... Pushpit! Thank god for the internet!

The nearest I've been to sailing prior to this boat purchase is one week on the Caledonian Canal in a rental. Some may think I'm taking a hell of a risk based on my experience, not even knowing whether I will enjoy sailing or whether i'll be prone to incredible bouts of sea-sickness. But... this is the way i need to go. My wife and i have our freedom from the kids now and this is our new adventure together. We intend to learn together and enjoy our lives as much as possible and in ten years time we won't be saying "I wish we'd tried that, it might have been fun!" Life is all about living it and enjoying what we can whilst gaining experience, not sitting back and watching it all pass by.

So thankyou for your interest and help, the picture is getting clearer with every silly question answered.

Cheers

Steve

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[Jeremy_W]

Never forget....

... one of my sailing mentors - a Watch Leader on a yacht that had raced six times around the World - always said "He who asks is a fool for a moment. He who doesn't ask is a fool forever".

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