Which Publications For South West UK Cruising?

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

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I'm going to buy the Admiralty Lesiure Folio for the SW UK... but I'm also going to need a Plymouth (et al) harbour pilot and some tidal stream info.

If I bought "The Shell Channel Pilot", would I also need to buy a tidal stream atlas? If so which one, for inshore cruising in and around Plymouth?

Thanks
 
The definitive tidal stream atlas for Devon and Cornwall, south coasts were written by a windsurfer. Da***ed if I can remember his name though. Thery are small white pages with green printed chatlets and arrows. One For Devon and one for Cornwall. The chandlers at QAB Plymouth have always stocked them. They have saved me many an hour as they give really good detail of all the back eddies and counter currents.
 
There has been a lot of rapid development of harbours in the Bristol Channel area, and even the last Pilot is out of date in some places. I can't speak for the south coast, but it isn't something I would worry about - presumably your charts would be current?
 
By all means buy the Shell pilot which has the advantage of loads of bedtime reading, on both sides of the Channel. If you are considering a more local publication, I don't think you can beat West Country Cruising Companion by Mark Fishwick. Covers Portland Bill to Padstow and is very readable.
 
I don't think its s good idea to go to sea without an Almanac - a PBO small craft almanac will suffice for waters around the channel (including the Plymouth area you mention).

As far as pilot books are concerned, The Shell Channel pilot is excellent and the West Country Cruising Guide as already mentioned also gets my vote.

If you had the above plus your small craft folio you would be very well equiped.

Welcome to the West Country. The Solent and other areas will no longer appeal...
 
I would endorse the Fishwick Cruising Companion. The aerial photos and pilotage notes are excellent. Reeds has chartlets for the area around Lands End, which we used when we sailed from Plymouth to Swansea in 2006.
 
Agree Fishwick is DB's think there will be new edition some time early this year.
Tidal stream atlas mentioned earlier printed in green ink is brilliant written over many years by canoist.
Both available from Seachest QAB Plymouth www.seachest.co.uk Be warned if you go in there take lots of money as it is an amazing place and you will end up buying things that are hard to find elsewhere
 
[ QUOTE ]
The definitive tidal stream atlas for Devon and Cornwall, south coasts were written by a windsurfer. Da***ed if I can remember his name though

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm damned, too, but I can remember, 'cos I have copies right here.

"Tidal Stream Atlas of the <South Cornwall>< South Devon > Coasts compiled by Mike Fennessy. Printed by Moorprint, Plymouth 606026"

The first was instrumental in a Class Win in a Fastnet Race....

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