Hello everyone,
Having just dipped my foot into the world of boat ownership for the very first time, I am after a bit of advice.
I will be keeping it on Mersea Island and would like to get hold of some charts showing details of the rivers at both ends of the island ready to do some exploring in my new toy next year. unfortunately I live a fair way inland so a trip to the nearest chandlers to have a look is really day trip (and the wife is already getting a bit touchy about the amount of time I spend with the boat and not her!!).
So, can anyone recommend the best ones to get so I can order them online.
Really the best thing to do is to buy the East Coast Pilot as a start. I'll declare an interest as the authors are chums but it will not only give you some good info about Mersea but the Blackwater and Colne Rivers as well as the whole of the Thames Estuary area which is about to become your playground. In best BBC fashion, 'other pilots' are available - which is the East Coast Rivers Cruising Companion.
Thereafter if you want charts, there is a choice of Admiralty and Imray charts in paper. If you going to electrickery and chart plotters, I am not the person to advise but some modern chaps will be along soon.
I would recommend you buy both the Pilot and the Cruising Companion. Both charming reads in their own right as well as being darn useful.
I second tillergirls recommendation, but I also declare an interest - I am the Crouch and Roach Honorary Port Pilot for East Coast Pilot.
I suggest you buy the Admiralty leisure folio (other publications are available) number SC5607. About 40 quid, covers the whole essex coast in detail, and is of a size which are usable in the cockpit too.
Chartplotters are a real variety, as are chart standards for electronics. I suggest you have a lot of conversations with a lot of people before commititing to purchase.
For a small boat the Standard Horizon CP180 is well thought of.
Welcome to the most diverse and interesting sailing waters in the UK!
Another one for your book shelf is Janet Harbers East Coast Rivers First published back in the dim distant past by Jack Coote (Janets father!) and like East Coast Pilot is a mine of valuable information written by people who actually SAIL these waters.
Location: Boat in Brightlingsea, Essex. Live and work in Norfolk
Posts: 2,642
Quote:
Originally Posted by OLLIE45
and the wife is already getting a bit touchy about the amount of time I spend with the boat and not her!!
Welcome to the club!! My wife is past the touchy phase and getting into the NO touchy bit I am away so much!
As well as East Coast Pilot as previously mentioned have a look at Imray Charts. Depending on how far you want to venture out the East Coast rivers http://www.imray.com/record.cfm?i_stock_code=ICSTN-PK4 is a good starter for about £27.
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Location: Me: Zummerzet, Boat(s): All over the place
Posts: 1,380
The East Coast pilot books (both of them) are great - TG is spot on.
We use Imray charts as per FC but the Admiralty ones are of course very good too.
If you want to be terribly avant guard you could buy the Navionics UK charts for your iPhone, available as an App from the Apple store for only £15. They really are proper charts but of course you mustn't get your iPhone wet or it won't work However, they are great for scoping things out on wet afternoons at home or planning a cruise when you're on the train.
Thanks for the advice one and all.
Had a look on the East coast pilot website and it looks absolutely spot on for starters. Wonder if I can get away with putting it on my Christmas list for 'er' indoors to get me or is that pushing things a bit (still there's always exfinnsailor's link to fall back on I suppose).
I will certainly be a regular visitor to both the forum and the area, maybe I may well even bump into ( not literally I hope) some of you next year.
If you are going to buy one of these then the Imray version covers both Essex & Suffolk Rivers giving you the whole of East Anglia to explore. Not including those funny North-folk types of course.
If you are going to buy one of these then the Imray version covers both Essex & Suffolk Rivers giving you the whole of East Anglia to explore. Not including those funny North-folk types of course.
I quite like the Admiralty 'Tough Charts' ... not much more cost and a really handy size for use in the cockpit or probably an open boat and waterproof as well
regards
Russ
Thanks for the offer Kioni,
It came with 4 life jackets,(2 adults and 2 childrens) that look almost new to be fair, spare fuel can and an anchor. I was wondering about some small oars and you have confirmed my thoughts so I will get some and a square bucket.
As for the charts that Cotillon and Boz mention, have you got the code numbers handy so I can look at them?
I think that for safety's sake I will do the VHF radio course over winter and get one of those as well. Is it too big a subject to ask for recommendations as to which one is your favourite make/model here? Bearing in mind that funds are limited.
Ollie
Last edited by OLLIE45; 09-11-09 at 14:52.
Reason: spelling
they are chart agents for UKHO (Admiralty) as well for the Imray range so come fully updated to the last available notice to mariners. they also stock a good range of pilot books. You can't beat the Admiralty folios for value for money.
Mersea charts
Hmmmmm ...
not literally I hope) some of you next year. 
Hybrid Mode
