Inshore Britain

Publisher: Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson, £29.50

Publication Date: 2006

CA Library Reference:

The author dedicated fifteen years to a solo circumnavigation of the British Isles in a kayak in order to complete his immensely detailed research for this comprehensive guide. The sixty two sections of coast were first published serially in Canoeist magazine and thus Stuart Fisher’s book is an indispensable guide for those making day trips in small craft with shallow draft capable of navigating and exploring the nooks, crannies, coves and inlets of our endlessly fascinating and varied coastline. Despite the restrictions of shallow waters, the book holds much of considerable interest to all coastal sailors.

There are coloured maps for each section of the coast and every page of text is plentifully interspersed with the author’s own photographs which are an attractive and practical illustration of coastal features and in themselves would woo others to follow in his wake. A highlighted block of text at the end of each section contains sound practical advice on equipment, safety, pilotage, charts, tidal information and useful places for day sailors to stay along the way. He acknowledges that the task would have been impossible without the equally dedicated land support of his wife and family. Staying ashore during his waterborne travels enabled Fisher to explore the coastal landscape and its historical features more closely and provide his readers with an exhaustive directory of useful and interesting information. - PKC