Cruising Guides Review

Summary

There are few things we can definitely say you should never leave the dock without, and a plan is one of them. Experienced boaters can shove off toward familiar waters with a few mental notes, but those determined to seek new shores will want a comprehensive and up-to-date cruising guide.

These small and relatively inexpensive books are priceless to beginners and veterans alike. Their authors have done all the homework for you. Suggested waypoints, docking fees, shore attractions, dangers zones—it’s all there in one handy reference. If you’re unfamiliar with a particular water way, then a geographic-specific guide will prove invaluable to avoid danger zones and keep on well-traveled courses. And even if you’ve been through the area a couple of times, you’re bound to discover something new in the out-of-the-way spots featured in a decent guide.

It doesn’t matter where you’re headed, either—there are guides available for nearly every conceivable location. Pacific and Asia cruising guides are harder to find, but their information is essential for the long-distance boater. Books on the Pacific Northwest and Alaska contain invaluable warnings for the many disadvantageous anchorages along the western coasts. Intracoastal waterway guides may seem extraneous, but their sightseeing sections are worth the money alone. Similarly, books on the Great Lakes contain essential information on area attractions, both historical and otherwise. And if you’re thinking about heading up the North and South America East and Gulf Coast, you’ll want to find a region-specific guide there, as well.

Do your homework before purchasing one of these guides, however. In this age it’s not difficult for almost any publishing company to splice together a few hundred pages’ worth of online articles and user reviews and call it a book. Look for those cruising guides which are written and updated yearly by qualified, experienced boaters. Anyone can recommend a particular restaurant onshore, but it takes an expert to let you know exactly where is best to drop anchor.

Pros

• Reveals the ups and downs of your particular boat trip, all from experts.
• Available in one handy reference.
• Great for those who want to check out the lesser-known attractions.

Cons

• More expensive than internet research.
• Must be up-to-date and written by an authoritative source.

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Conclusion

The primary alternative to the modern cruising guide is the internet. Today boaters can peruse online messaging boards or reference websites to find much of the same information found in books—and all for free. However, the trouble with boating advice found online—as with any other similarly sourced material—is questionable accuracy. Frankly, not everyone who posts online is as knowledgeable as they’d claim to be. With a purchased cruising guide by a recognized author, you’re assured a higher level of expertise. For $25-30, there’s little reason not to follow the more trustworthy course.