East Coast Rivers

Publisher: Wiley Nautical; 19th Edition; £24.99.
Publication Date:

This pilot book needs no introduction having been produced by Jack Coote since the first 1956 edition and his daughters since 1993. Little need to be said about the sailing instructions or their love of this muddy bit of England. The tone is sensible, unlike some pilot books, which are so cautious that they make you a nervous wreck before you leave harbour. This book is nicely produced and makes you want to point your vessel to the East, which might be a good idea, as the Introduction paints a rather gloomy picture of its wharfs and quays being rapidly converted into flats and supermarkets.

Certainly, when I sailed the London River, I felt the eradication of history described at the end of “Fatherland” had nothing on the loss of the historical buildings from the Medway to the City. My only advice for the next edition would be to re-do the photographs. Too many show buoys without context, empty pontoons, bits of marinas and restaurants. The family archives, more shots of the barges that defined this area and pictures showing the beauty of this region would improve this book, which is part of yachting’s heritage, still further. - Mike Bender