How to Read a Nautical Chart : A Complete Guide to the Symbols, Abbreviations, and Data Displayed on Nautical Charts

Book Description

A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

The best handbook on chart usage, from one of the most trusted names in boating

In 2000, the U.S. government ceased publication of Chart No. 1, the invaluable little book that generations of mariners have consulted to make sense of the complex system of signs, symbols, and graphic elements used in nautical charts. Now Chart No. 1 is not just reborn but expanded and improved in How to Read a Nautical Chart. The demand for a book like this has never been greater.

Arranged and edited by Nigel Calder, one of today's most respected boating authors, and containing four-color illustrations throughout, How to Read a Nautical Chart presents a number of original features that help readers make optimum use of the data found in Chart No. 1, including a more intuitive format, crucial background information, international chart symbol equivalents, electronic chart symbology, and thorough explanations of the practical aspects of nautical chart reading.

Customer Reviews:

The legend on a nautical chart is not enough.......2007-06-13

As a newbie to reading charts I soon realized that much of the information displayed on a nautical chart is difficult or imposable to decode without some reference outside of the chart itself.

This book does a beautiful job of explaining all the mysterious symbols and conventions. It also has a great introduction that puts chart creation and interpretation into a practical, real-world perspective. I would consider this book to be a vital part of any vessel's safety equipment.

Excellent.......2006-11-21

This book was invaluable to me on my last sail around the bottom of South America. I remember one night when the winds were blowing strong and water was splashing everywhere, I feared my crew of scallywags would start a mutiny and leave me stranded on a deserted island near Tierra del Fuego because I was totally lost. Thank goodness I had this book! I was able to nagivate the ship safely through the Strait of Magellan and back up to Brazil... more towards the equador. I have since given up the adventures of a ship's captain and instead I am enjoying the quieter satisfactions of life in selling carpet remnants door to door. But if it weren't for this invaluable book there is no telling where Polly and I might be right now. Thank you Nigel Calder!

"What does 'rky' mean? Oops!".......2006-07-30

Since the current U.S. Administration saw fit to cease publication of CHART NO. 1, the government's own guide to reading maritime maps, back in 2000 (maybe they figured Dubai might pick up the slack around our harbors), HOW TO READ A NAUTICAL CHART is an absolutely crucial educational volume for those of us new to reading charts.

It's all here. Nigel Calder does a splendid job of taking the esoterica of chart symbolism and language and turning it into something any boater can understand in everyday terms. He also does a fine job delineating the differences between harbor charts, large area charts, GPS readings and so on, all of which have their own internal but non-complimentary logic.

If you leave the dock, knowledge of and familiarity with charts can avoid costly errors, save your boat, and literally save your life. HOW TO READ A NAUTICAL CHART is a reference you must have.

Nigel is among the most informative.......2006-07-21

Got about all Nigel's books - as I had expected, he gives a good clear insight on nautical charts and how to read them. Not much else to say! Thanks Nigel for helping make the dream come true!
Dutch West.

great resource.......2006-02-26

A great resource even for experienced skippers. Also makes you very aware of the limitations of modern cartography (ie how many charted depths are based on a survey done 50 or 100 years ago!).

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide : From South Florida to the Turks and Caicos

Average customer rating:

Great information
On and Off the Beaten Path: The Cent/South Bahamas Guide
Lacking
One of the best

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide : From South Florida to the Turks and Caicos
Stephen J. Pavlidis
Manufacturer: Seaworthy Publications Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Exuma Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Exuma Cays : Approaches, Routes, Anchorages, Dive Sights, Flora, Fauna, History, and Lore of the Exuma Cays
The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South
The Bahamas Cruising Guide: With the Turks and Caicos Islands
Tricks of the Trades
The Turks and Caicos Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Turks and Caicos Islands

ASIN: 0963956698

Customer Reviews:

Great information.......2007-10-05

I'm NOT a sailor yet, but am in the "early retirement planning" stage (meaning sailing lessons and drooling over boats). In about 6 - 8 years we will have a boat and will be spending a lot of time in the Bahamas. This book really gives a lot of excellent information on just about everything you need, and more stuff on the things you want to know.

I highly recommend this book and this author to any one, sailor or not!

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Cent/South Bahamas Guide.......2006-02-27

The initial review looks great! When I get to the Bahamas the real review will begin.

Lacking.......2003-02-21

I am getting ready to take off for the Bahamas next month so I decided to take a trip to the ship's store and have a look at the cruising guides. I am heading to the Southern Bahamas so you would think that this guide would be perfect. It is NOT. I took a quick look through the contents and index and discovered he did not cover the Exumas. How could this be? Ah... Mr. Pavlidis wants you to buy YET ANOTHER of his books, one specifically covering the Exumas. Appauling. How can you say you are covering the central and southern Bahamas WITHOUT even one chapter on the Exumas?

I think I will stick with my trusty Yachtsman's guide to the Bahamas. It actually covers the Bahamas. It does not leave out A WHOLE ISLAND CHAIN in order to suck up another 30 bucks.

The book's name should be The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide EXCLUDING a Great Deal of the Southern and Central Bahamas.

Good Grief!

One of the best.......2002-08-27

Pavlidis' guide will get you to places you didnt think you could visit. It also assumes you are a competent tropical water sailor and wont do stupid things like run into rocks, etc. Where other guides state "local knowledge required" for an area Pavlidis gives you the best current info and then warns you to be aware of possible changes and hazards. If you want to find places where there is still a lobster under every rock and no other boats in sight, this is the guide to use.

Average customer rating:

All in all a good read
Adrift at Sea
Well Written, Good Storyline, Engaging Protagonist - What more do you want?
A thrilling novel
Fascinating Mediterranean maritime history and mystery!

The Nautical Chart
Arturo Perez-Reverte
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Sea Adventures | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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The Seville Communion
The Fencing Master
The Flanders Panel
The Queen of the South
Purity of Blood

ASIN: 0156029820

Amazon.com

A treasure hunt for a Jesuit ship sunk by pirates off the coast of Spain is the plot on which Perez-Reverte's new novel turns, but a love story is the real heart of this nicely crafted, carefully told adventure. A suspended sailor happens on a maritime auction in Barcelona, where he meets the beautiful Tanger Soto, a museum curator whose winning bid buys her a 17th-century atlas that may reveal the final resting place of the Dei Gloria. Coy, the sailor, is totally smitten, so it's no surprise that he signs on to help Tanger track the sunken ship to its grave in waters he's sailed since childhood. Enlisting the aid of a diver friend, Coy and Tanger stay a few steps ahead of the crooked salvagers who've been trying to get the atlas, outmaneuvering the attempts on their lives and the efforts to keep them from the treasure. Perez-Reverte (The Fencing Master, The Club Dumas) is better at plumbing the mysteries of the human heart than those of the sea, but The Nautical Chart manages to combine history, suspense, and obsessive love in a slow-paced but ultimately engrossing read. --Jane Adams

Book Description

Coy is a sailor without a ship.Tánger Soto is a woman with an obsession to find the Dei Gloria, a ship sunk during the seventeenth century, and El Piloto is an old man with the sailboat on which all three set out to seek their fortune together. Or do they?

Customer Reviews:

All in all a good read.......2007-05-26

This is a swashbuckler in the sense that the characters are characatures but it doesn't matter -they are still interesting.i kept wondering why the main character couldn't recognise the femme fatal he falls for as the siren-bad [..]she is until i concluded she was the 'she' of the sea. The sea is thought of as an impossible woman by sailors and so it explains his love/hate futile projection of falling for her.This is an example of how the book is full of sea lore: poetic and metaphors which i found enriching about how i view the seas now.However there was alot of tedious nautical facts about navigation and boats that i had to skip over to get on with the story The plot is a swashbuckler but there was enough facts and nuances to hold my interest.

Adrift at Sea.......2007-03-19

Some reviewers suspect the translation is bad. That may be, but unless Peden rewrote major portions of this book, you can't blame it all on her.

The Nautical Chart will disappoint you no matter what you look for in a novel. There is almost no action/adventure. The mystery/intrigue is nonexistent with the exception of one (count it one) very predictable plot twist at the very end. There is no character development at all - everythng you'll learn about the main character Coy is revealed in the first few pages of this 460 page mess.

The style is a mash of stilted formality and stilted vernacular. That may be Peden's fault as translator - I can't say - but then there's the problem of voice, which can only be blamed on Perez-Reverte. All the book except one chapter is in the third person from Coy's point of view. In that one chapter in the middle of the narrative, the author switches to a first person voice of a minor character who appears only in that chapter. Then Perez-Reverte goes back to Coy in the third person for the rest of the book. This pointless and garish shift of voice only interrupts an already sluggish flow.

Well Written, Good Storyline, Engaging Protagonist - What more do you want?.......2007-01-14

I disagree with some of the "not so great" reviews here. I read this recently, after reading all of Perez-Reverte's books, and think this is actually one of his better ones for 4 reasons:

1. The two main characters are really quite well crafted, and he does a good job of showing how love often gets in the way of seeing the whole person.

2. The plot is full of anxious ambiguity in its twists and turns. There are moments when I thought or guessed what might happen, but it turns out I only really got it about 50% right.

3. The ending was extremely well pulled off and written. If you want to see what a choppy, predictable ending looks like, read from chapter 40 onward in Gibson's "Pattern Recognition."

4. The story motif of buried treasure is very well done with unique ideas and secondary characters that flesh the ideas and story out well.

While I agree that the overarching storyline - hunt for buried treasure that turns into a race - is one that's been repeatedly done before, I also adhere to John Gardner (of "Grendel", "Freddy's Book", etc. fame) and his theory that all stories really boil down to one of two plot lines - man rides into town; man rides out of town. This is a case of the former, so I focused on the writing and what it evokes in me.

And what it evoked was the thought, "Now this was a good book - wish he'd written a sequel."

J. Avellanet, Co-Founder of Cerulean Associates LLC

A thrilling novel.......2006-12-21

Spanish best selling author Arturo Perez Reverte has made a great book, a mixture of a thriller and a homage to the sea novel. Starting off in a contemporary maritime auction in Barcelona, the plot deals with a treasure hunt for a Jesuit ship sunk by pirates off the mediterranean coast of Spain in 1767, as a suspended sailor and a beautiful curator from Madrid's Naval Museum try to track the ship's final resting place just a few steps ahead of the bad guys who also want a portion of the loot. A very entertaining read, that also shows Perez Reverte's erudition and skill at writing a great yarn.

Fascinating Mediterranean maritime history and mystery!.......2006-11-05

We meet Manuel Coy at an auction in Barcelona where he happens to see and later meet a fascinating young woman who will eventually change his life. Coy is all sailor - and is unhappily on land as a result of an unfortunately wrong-place-wrong-time event in his recent past. Tanger Soto, the young woman, works for a maritime Museum in Madrid and her purchase of a 17th century atlas intrigues Coy so he follows her. Soto ends up hiring Coy for his knowledge of a particular piece of the Southern Spanish coast and the race is on to find the sunken Dei Gloria, a Jesuit ship attacked by pirates on its return from the Americas 300 or so years ago.

All might have ended happily there except that Coy and Soto are not the only ones interested in what the Dei Gloria may or may not have been carrying those many years ago (and may or may not have been recovered). There is a notorious ocean scavenger named Nino Palermo (a strangely Italian name for a Spaniard) who seems to be always one step behind them and has hired a nasty henchman or two to keep his rivals on their toes (and losing sleep). Perez-Reverte's style is wonderful and I have read much of his work - most of it in Spanish.

Unlike other reviewers I did not think much of the "love story" angle to this novel, as it was really just Coy's unrequited yearnings for Soto. I also found the story dragged on in a number of places. Undeniable, however, is Perez-Reverte's capacity to engage himself in the theme of a period or a sector (chess, 17th century Flemish art, fencing, and in this case, maritime and nautical history) so that the average reader will feel they are reading a comprehensive text on whatever the subject is. I found the Jesuit and 17th century maritime history fascinating even though the modern day search for the remains of that history just didn't seem as exciting.

The Exuma Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Exuma Cays : Approaches, Routes, Anchorages, Dive Sights, Flora, Fauna, History, and Lore of the Exuma Cays

Average customer rating:

Stephen P's First Guide
Don't leave home without it
Essential and Comprehensive

The Exuma Guide: A Cruising Guide to the Exuma Cays : Approaches, Routes, Anchorages, Dive Sights, Flora, Fauna, History, and Lore of the Exuma Cays
Stephen J. Pavlidis
Manufacturer: Seaworthy Publications Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Boating | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

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General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Bahamas | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
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On and Off the Beaten Path: The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide : From South Florida to the Turks and Caicos
The Bahamas Cruising Guide: With the Turks and Caicos Islands
2007 Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas
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Chance the Tide: How to Cruise to the Bahamas for the Winter

ASIN: 0963956671

Book Description

Loaded with carefully researched sketch charts and local knowledge, this guide is the most current and comprehensive cruising guide available to the maginificent Exuma Cays-and an excellent guide to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea park. Pavlidis, former deputy warden of the park, gudie you in and out of virtually every navigable harbor, cover, and anchorage, as well as around every major reef, head, sand bank, and obstacle throughout the Exuma island chain. Contains information on marine facilities, customs, navigational aids, tides and curents, GPS waypoints, flora and fauna, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Stephen P's First Guide.......2001-10-26

I have been cruising the Bahamas for over 30 years. For all these long times there was just one cruising guide available. And it was quite limited in scope. The along came Stephen Pavlidis. He has singlehandedly upgraded the quality and safety of Bahamas cruising . His Exumas Cruising Guide is the most complete information you can get for that area. I wouldn't think of cruising the Exumas without it. Stephen Crow, K4CPX

Don't leave home without it.......2000-07-29

I have cruised the Exumas four winters on my Jeanneau 41. I wouldn't think of doing it without Steven's wonderful book. He includes, for example, many chartlets not to be found in any other guide. Hence, I was able to find anchorages not well known (and which had, as a result, more lobster!).

Don't even think of visiting the Exumas without this book (or any other area included in his other guidebooks without its associated book).

Essential and Comprehensive.......1998-04-16

I found the book to be the Bible for getting in and around the Exuma Cays. More importantly, the book nicely deals with the history, geography, flora and fauna of the cays. There is no way that a person should consider sailing, motoring or paddling into the Exumas without this book in hand. Too bad it was not printed on waterproof paper and bound with stainless steel staples. If your headed for the Exumas be sure to read and bring a copy along. It might also help to secure it in a large zip lock plastic bag.

Average customer rating:

HOW TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE--ON A BOAT

Mariner's Atlas: Lake Michigan
Chartcrafters
Manufacturer: Gulf Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

HOW TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE--ON A BOAT.......2007-02-17

COMPLETE CHARTS FOR THE LAKE AND BAY WATERS OF MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, AND INDIANA. INCLUDES GREEN BAY, UPPER LAKE HURON, NORTH CHANNEL, AND GEORGIAN BAY. (U S AND CANADIAN WATERS)

A Cruising Guide To The Windward Islands: Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Carriacou, Grenada, Barbados

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Guide-The Real Deal
Pretty Good

A Cruising Guide To The Windward Islands: Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Carriacou, Grenada, Barbados
Stephen J. Pavlidis
Manufacturer: Seaworthy Publications Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Barbados & Trinidad and Tobago | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

French West Indies | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

Grenada | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

Saint Vincent | Caribbean | Travel | Subjects | Books

Cruises | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands
The Leeward Islands Cruising Guide
The Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Caribbean Passagemaking: A Cruiser's Guide

ASIN: 1892399180
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Product Description

With 80 sketch charts this is the most comprehensive guide covering The Windward Islands. The Windward Islands Guide contains GPS waypoints, approaches and routes, anchorages, dive sites, an extensive appendix, photos and a bibliography. As with all of Steve's guides it contains sections on history, marina services, and much more useful info.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Guide-The Real Deal.......2007-06-13

Before purchasing this book, I did a bit of research on the different guides available. One had a lot of advertisements, but was popular. It was more like a Frommers travel book. This one was written by the guy who actually used equipment relied upon by chartmakers for local depth soundings. You could tell by his "local" hints that he really took the time and effort to give you the insider's view. From recomming "Mr.Fantastic" (a local boat vendor who sold us delicious lobster), to recommendations on local restaurants at each of our island stops along the way, this book was fantastic. The black and white pages made it all the more authentic as not being overly commercialized. In each port he gave highly reliable waypoints which I fed into my Garmin GPS, and everything worked like clockwork. His depth soundings in the anchorages were highly reliable as well. Our crew of 6 sailors, all passionate for adventure in the Windward Islands, raved about this book. Other books were aboard, but this one quickly became the one that we relied upon. It was concise and to the point, and we really enjoyed using it. Accolades to Mr. Pavlidis. This is a winner!!

Pretty Good.......2007-01-09

Lots of great info. Unfortunately in Black and White. Good complement to the "Sailors Guide to the Windward Islands".

Average customer rating:

Seacards Nautical Flashcards
David Doyle
Manufacturer: Doyle Marine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Test Prep Central | Reference | Subjects | Books

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Sea Cards - Learn Sailing with 350+ Nautical Flash Cards - Blue Water Cruising Sailors Edition - Offshore Sailing Fundamentals
Boat Navigation for the Rest of Us: Finding Your Way By Eye and Electronics
Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing
Blown Away
Sailing Fundamentals

ASIN: 1599750171

Product Description

SeaCards Certification Edition was designed with the help of leading sailing schools and award winning instructors. Divided into three color-coded sections, this volume of nautical flash cards is a serious tool for mastering a wide spectrum of sailing and boating knowledge. With over 450 cards, the color-coding allows sailors to study those areas that are most helpful. The first two sections cover general sailing terms and safety and they are designed to help students pass their exams (flashcards have long been proven to be an effective memory tool). The advanced section (over half the deck) is very broad and will test even old salts and professionals. This is truly a set of cards for everyone and great for cockpit quiz sessions. The first two sections review the written material that needs to be mastered for Basic Keel Boat 101 and Basic Coastal Cruising 103, the third section covers many areas necessary in order to obtain a captains license. What the experts say: Captain Tom Landers: USCG Master Captain, Founder of the Virginia School of Sailing: Four time recipient of the American Sailing Associations School of the Year award and four time winner of the prestigious Instructor of the Year award. Here is what he says: The Certification Edition of SeaCards is impressively comprehensive and well researched. Sailing instructors will find that students using SeaCards will come to class better prepared without feeling overwhelmed. If you have been sailing for awhile but are not sure what you know or you are on the path toward your Captains license - SeaCards is just what you need to advance your knowledge. SeaCards should be in every sailing library, but keep them on the boat, SeaCards are fun! The sailing industry has needed a product like this for a long time.

Ottoman Nautical Charts and the Atlas of Ali Macar Reis

Average customer rating:

Ottoman Nautical Charts and the Atlas of Ali Macar Reis
Kemal Ozdemir
Manufacturer: Creative Yayincilik Ve Tanitim Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LY17PM

Mariner's Atlas: The Florida Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys

Average customer rating:

Mariner's Atlas: The Florida Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys
A. P. Balder
Manufacturer: Gulf Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Charting of the Oceans: Ten Centuries of Maritime Maps

Average customer rating:

A Great Overview

The Charting of the Oceans: Ten Centuries of Maritime Maps
Peter Whitfield
Manufacturer: Pomegranate Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

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Cartography | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

New Found Lands: Maps in the History of Exploration
Mapping the World: An Illustrated History of Cartography
Historic Atlas of the North Pacific Ocean: Maps of Discovery and Scientific Exploration, 1500-2000
The Mapping of the Heavens
America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of Exploration

ASIN: 0764900099

Book Description

This book from the Peter Whitfield cartographic series traces the history of humankind's relation to the sea as revealed in ten centuries of maritime maps. Presenting sixty maps reproduced in color over double-page spreads, and commentary describing their special features and their significance in the history of navigation, the book explores ancient navigation; the Middle Ages and the Age of Discovery; the printed sea chart, 1600-1800; and the modern sea chart.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Overview.......1999-06-03

By all accounts, this book should have received 5 stars. It's well written, richly illustrated and covers, albeit superficially, the history and problems the earliest mariners faced as they ventured beyond the sight of land into the trackless sea. Although the book lacks a certain depth (it's only 144 pages), Whitfiled uses an economy of prose to make a number of excellent bullet points as he walks us through the history of charting. It's also refreshing to see that while he may advise his readers that certain theories have been advocated about how the mariners of the past found thier way across the seas, he makes a point to say there is no conclusive proof to support a particular claim; he simply gives his readers the facts and correctly assumes we can use our own judgement to evaluate these theories.

I must also say I found the index in the book lacking to some extent; it appeared to be too brief and did not refer the reader back to key elements in the book. But, overall, well done and very informative. It will be a nice addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of mapping.

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