Pavlidis' 'Exuma Guide, 3rd Edition' - Thoughts?

[nmwarren]

Hi all, I'm preparing for a winter Bahamas cruise and pulling together the necessary charts and guides. I'm on a pretty tight budget, so I'm mostly looking to anchor out and eat cheap rather than stay in marinas. So far I've found used versions of all the Explorer Chartbooks and Dodge's Abacos guide. How does everyone feel about Pavlidis' Exuma Guide? Does it offer a lot of useful information that's not in the Explorer Chartbooks? I feel like the Explorer Chartbooks already have lots of waypoints and useful information on towns and stops.

Also, does the new 3rd Edition of The Exuma Guide ($60) have a lot of updates versus the older 2nd Edition ($25)? And finally, how does everyone feel about "The Yachtsman's Guide to The Bahamas"?

I would check out all these books myself, but I'm in the middle of Texas so all I can really do is order them online = ).

Thanks,
Nick

[Keegan]

Bahamas Cruising Guide?

Read this thread for discussion on Bahamas guides if you have not already. It does not answer all your questions but is worth a read.

[Dave852]

Nick,

At one point they included the Ragged Islands in the Exuma Explorer chart, cant remember if 2nd has them or not. Other than that you will do just fine with the old edition. Some marina, store info etc.. will be out of date but I am pretty sure the soundings will be the same. You can live with out the glossy color pages.
Pavlidis guide will add info not found in the Explorer charts, The Yachtsmans guide is no where near as good.

[Vasco]

The Yachtmans Guide is imho the worst guide for the Bahamas, it's also the oldest and was the only guide in the eighties. I have two versions, about ten years apart and it's all the same old stuff and poor sketch charts. It was good in its day but failed to follow the times. My newest one is about 2003, they may have improved it now but I doubt it. Mathew Wilson's guide is much superior but you don't really need that one either.

Palidis' guides are always good. His one on the Exumas is the bible. If you're on a budget an old one will do. Don't know about his new one.

[Fishspearit]

Originally Posted by Vasco

The Yachtmans Guide is imho the worst guide for the Bahamas, it's also the oldest and was the only guide in the eighties. I have two versions, about ten years apart and it's all the same old stuff and poor sketch charts. It was good in its day but failed to follow the times. My newest one is about 2003, they may have improved it now but I doubt it.
Palidis' guides are always good. His one on the Exumas is the bible. If you're on a budget an old one will do. Don't know about his new one.

I second all of that. I used the Yachtsman's Guide in the mid '90's, with a copy from the late '80s. So last year I bought a copy of their new one, and it's the same book that they were putting out 25 years ago.
The Pavlidis Guides are great.

[nmwarren]

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! Less than a day and I already have my question answered. I'm going to get an older version of the Pavlidis guide and skip the Yachtsman Guide.

[gbanker]

IMHO if you are anchoring out and not interested in marinas and restaurants then the older guides will work. The islands and rocks don't change, just the restaurant and marina owners/services.

[robw_fl]

I use the Explorer Charts. Nav/waypoints are accurate. Charts are clear (not sketches etc.) and 2nd edition is still very functional. I've made the trip a few times with both second and third editions and the changes, especially with what you're looking to do, are pretty minimal.

Good luck. Have fun.

Cheers,

Rob