Best Cruising book for Caribbean?????

[MarkJ]

Hi Folks

With a bevvy of books on the Caribbean on offer (all at non-bargain prices) I wondered as to your opinion which is best cruising guide?

Of course, with all those wonderful secret anchorages, and, secondary maybe including piloting sketches. It needs to be pretty correct, if not up to date.

Thanks for your thoughts


Mark

[Southern Star]

I've found Chris Doyle's books to be extremely helpful and his website provides updates, as necessary. In addition to sketches of harbour entries and recommendations as to the best spots to anchor/fishing boat traffic/security concerns, he has also included numerous aerial photos and great descriptions/maps of shore side services. As to 'secret' anchorages..... not many left, and lets face it, those that are published in a book are hardly 'well-kept' secrets.

Having said all of that, my experience is limited to short-term cruising in the Virgin Islands, the Windwards and the area around Margarita Island. I can say that for me, Donald Street seemed less user-friendly and rather dated, in comparison.

Brad

[GordMay]

Cruising guides Covering the Bahamas and the Caribbean ~ by Steve Pavlidis
Island Hopping Shameless Plug Book Page

The Pavlidis Guide(s) to the Bahamas are excellent; but I've not used the others he's published since so cannot offer comment.

[Hud3]

Mark,

I concur with Brad. Chris Doyle's Cruising Guides to the Windwards and Leewards (two books) are the best. I found that his sketch charts and navigation advice is very accurate, and conservative so you won't get into trouble. He also includes a wealth of info on what's to be found on the islands, mostly up to date.

My only complaint is that he tends to favor his advertisers in the write-ups, leading to restaurant recommendations that don't always pan out.

[MarkJ]

Thanks guys!!!!!!!!! Mr Doyle gets a sale.

[Sandero]

I vote for Chris Doyle

[MarkJ]

How do I know you guys arn't playing an April fools joke and are trying to get me lost? Or worse, eating in bad resturants!


Im sus!


Mark

[Southern Star]

Darn Mark, you caught us! Chris Doyle is the founder of a chain of Mexi-Pol restaurants (an 'interesting' combination of Mexican and Polish cuisine). His cruising books are largely a promotional device for this rather unique culinary fusion - although menu items such as 'refried beets' (self-explanatory) and 'peritos' (a combination of perogies and burritos) must be experienced to be believed.

Indeed, the same can be said about the entertainment at his clubs, including the popular Polka-Hat Dance (my personal favorite is the 'She's too fat, por favor' polka).
His reviews of marinas tend to devote an extroardinary amount of space to the quantity of toilets in a section entitled, 'Beyond the Polka-dot Door'. Some reviewers have criticized that, but I say it flows logically (and inevitably) from his cuisine.

Brad

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Mexi-Pol restaurants 'refried beets' ...Brad

ROTFLMAO

We ate there, I'm sure

[Southern Star]

Then I'm certain you'll appreciate his guide to the marina washrooms of the Caribbean - lets face it, sometimes quantity is better (or at least, more important) than quality when waiting is out of the question. As Chris Doyle says in his guides, "any port in a storm".

Brad