Looking for Guide Books... Not a List of Facilities... Ideas?

[2hullvenus]

Hi,

More questions.

I have Active Captain going now. It's decent and useful.

There is, however, nothing quite like reading about upcoming terrain while in your bunk on a quiet evening.

I have a girl I've been enamored with for years making the trip from FL to Long Island with me. I want to show her the time of her life, so she looks favorably upon cruising (with me).

Where can I find paper guidebooks just like this one?

Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast

I'm looking for a true guide... with local stories, legends, history, things to do ashore. Stiuff that makes cruising fun and exciting. I want to plan our stops together and have places to look forward to seeing.

I'd like to buy the complete set from Miami to Massachusetts. (the linked guide is the best foir Maine)

Any tips?

Is there such a guide for arewas

[makana]

Along with Active Captain the Dozier Waterway Guide's are a nice addition with color photos and shore side advice. Here is the link to preview the guides http://www.waterwayguide.com/shipstore/index.php?cPath=21

Cheers,

[Tingum]

I suggest the books of the late Claiborne Young. He writes primarily of the South East, telling the history of the area along with highlights of nearby sites. Check out the Salty South East site, they may list the books there. Take your time through the low country, it is a beautiful trip.

[David M]

Do you have a Coast Pilot for your area?

This is the official guide used by professional mariners and any mariner. It is published by NOAA.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ot%2Caps%2C211

[John_Trusty]

If you want to look at the US Coast Pilot without buying the printed version for $18, you can download the PDF's directly from NOAA for free (my favored price point!) ... United States Coast Pilot®

I know you're looking for a paper version to cuddle with, but this will let you preview it to see if it's what you're looking for, and for others who may not want to haul the paper. I've found them somewhat useful for navigation, but not for sightseeing.

[Comogene]

Try A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast, Robert (?) Duncan

[2hullvenus]

Originally Posted by Comogene

Try A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast, Robert (?) Duncan

I used to have that one. Yes... it's the right type.

The waterway guides don't seem to have too much more than a list of facilities.

It's the history, legends and deep local knowledge of what's ashore in various harbors I'm after. The coat pilot is the exact opposite.

I am outfitting the boat with all the navigation stuff, like the coast pilot, but am looking for books like the one I linked to from Maine, but that cover the whole east coast.

I guess this doesn't exist in a current, updated form?

There's a "make money while cruising" idea. I'm ready to buy them all... Canada to Key West.

[bsurvey]

on the west coast we have charlies charts.


believe it or not the us coast pilot is good reading


forgot to bring reading material for a trip back from Hawaii it was the only thing on the boat

[onestepcsy37]

And all of the U.S. Coast Pilot books are available for free downloading on the NOAA website.

[tstano]

Originally Posted by 2hullvenus

Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast

I'm looking for a true guide... with local stories, legends, history, things to do ashore. Stiuff that makes cruising fun and exciting. I want to plan our stops together and have places to look forward to seeing.

I'd like to buy the complete set from Miami to Massachusetts. (the linked guide is the best foir Maine)

Any tips?

Is there such a guide for arewas

I've used Richardson's Maptech or Embassy Guides. I also have the "On the Water Guides" for the ICW. -no affiliation with either

All U Get

[2hullvenus]

Originally Posted by tstano

I've used Richardson's Maptech or Embassy Guides. I also have the "On the Water Guides" for the ICW. -no affiliation with either

All U Get

Ah! I forgot about the Embassy guides!

I used to have those as well. They were decent.

[Waterway Guide]

Waterway Guides are not just a list of facilities...in fact, far from it. Waterway Guides include historic info, shoreside access/features, and a large amount of other information on 100s of destinations in its "Goin' Ashore" sections, plus navigation info, facilities listing tables, inlet information, chartlet, and lots of photos, including aerials showing navigational access – and each of the editions are updated every year by on-the-water cruising editors. And we have a website designed to work with the guidebooks to keep users updated.

Northern Edition covers from Maine thru NJ. Chesapeake Bay Edition covers the Bay. Atlantic ICW Edition covers the ICW from VA through GA. Southern Edition covers the rest of the Atlantic ICW in FL, plus the Keys and the Gulf Coast thru TX.

Any questions? Feel free to contact me.

[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by 2hullvenus

Hi,

...making the trip from FL to Long Island ... Where can I find paper guidebooks just like this one?

Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast

I'm looking for a true guide... with local stories, legends, history, things to do ashore ... I'd like to buy the complete set from Miami to Massachusetts ...

There is no single "complete set" but there are many suitable printed books that cover parts of the regions. Always remember that when it comes to specifics, these books are technically out-of-date when they are printed. However general attractions and regional history are still quite useful.

In the US southeast up through the Carolinas, Claiborne Young's books will do you well enough. Once into the Chesapeake, look for Shellenberger's book. I also like the "Chesapeake Cruising Guide" annual, but it may be too "listy" for your taste. In New Jersey, look for Donald Launer's book. On LIS there are many choices but nothing really outstanding. Duncan and Ware is perhaps the most useful single volume.

I would not recommend the Embassy Guides, although at first they appear useful. They are quite "advert" oriented. Perhaps it's helpful to realize that asking local boat people what they think is a very good method.

You do not state details, but all these books cost money and take up space. If you can find electronic versions (and I have not looked into this), you will probably be way ahead.