Sources of Further Information

Pilot Books and Charts

For navigation and pilotage you will need corrected charts and local pilot guides.  To obtain a discount, buy these from the Imray catalogue through the CA Discount Shop   

Free printed catalogues, showing areas of chart coverage, are available from Imray's and the
UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO). Both also have web catalogues showing chart coverage. Imray's catalogue is probably easier to follow, while UKHO leisure folios shows Admiralty leisure chart coverage best.  Where good local references are available, we mention them in our region pages.

Publishers and Catalogues:

  • Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson, Wych House, The Broadway, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
    PE27 5BT,
    Tel:  +44(0) 1480 462114
    Fax: +44 (0) 1480 496109
    email:  orders(at)imray(dot)com (but see on line catalogue and buy through CA for discount)

  • UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Admiralty Way, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2DN
    Tel:  +44(0) 1823 337900
    Fax:  +44(0) 1823 284077 
    See Leisure Folios catalogue here (but buy through CA for discount).

  • Kelvin & Hughes online catalogue probably gives the easiest access to chart coverage information, and has an excellent book catalogue. By all means search this catalogue, but again, having found the book or charts you want, for discounts, buy through the CA site.

Second hand chart folios and pilot books are often advertised on our web site and other sources. Always check the last correction dates against the UKHO data. Old charts will be very cheap. People say rocks don't move, but sand banks, harbour layouts and buoyage do change!

CA Almanac. Our Almanac is a pilot book covering the tidal Atlantic Coasts of Europe, from the Shetlands to Gibraltar, including the North Sea and Irish Sea.Tidal information is included, and detail is good for making safe passages and some detailed exploring around the area.

Navigation Notes  Navigation Notes, published regularly on the web and in print, keep us up to date with notices to mariners and recent reports from various cruising regions. 

 

Other Sources of Information

Information Centre. Our Information Centre includes the Cruising Association lending library. This world class source of cruise planning information includes charts, pilot books and reference books for the whole world. Troves of boating magazines (back copies to issue 1!) add detail. Many of our editors use the centre to help their work. Annabel, our information centre manager, is available during normal office hours. Make a direct enquiry to the office by Skype, phone, email or post. Other library resources are:

  • Member's logs, stored in the information centre, add colour and personal experience to dull facts. 
  • Reports. Print outs of recent reports from the regions

Regional Sections. Attend the regional seminars and social events run by the Baltic,  Mediterranean or European Inland Waterway sections. Read their web pages. And when in UK join in with your local area social activities and talks.

Email Nets. You have further questions? An email to any of our user nets (balticnet, mednet, blue water net) will provide up to date answers from people who have recently been there, done it.

Forums. Ask on our forums. Or just join in and have a chat. 

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