Atlantic Spain & Portugal - Noonsite Book of the Month

Created by val. Last modified on 2006-08-05 09:27:04
Topic: Books,Charts and DVDs
Countries: Portugal, Spain

Atlantic Spain and Portugal

5th Edition(2006) Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation

By Martin Walker and Anne Hammick

Pub. By Imray

Price £37.50

ISBN 0 85288 893 7

Another essential guide in the RCC’s Pilotage Foundation series, this one covering La Coruna to Gibraltar.

A 336 page hardback book with excellent chartlets and photos, it includes both ariel shots and views of the approaches. The opening chapter gives an overview of the whole region, and general information on wind and weather, lights, buoyage and charts; followed by communications and weather forecasts. Practical aspects of cruising such as chandlery, repairs, fuel and water, are also covered.

The coast is divided into three main sections; Galicia, Portugal (to Cape St Vincente) with The Algarve and Andalucia forming a third section. A brief chapter introduces each area, followed by detailed information about significant ports or rias. Suitable anchorages as well as berths and moorings are covered. The locations are well illustrated with good quality photographs and very clear chartlets. A list of major lights, navigational charts, VHF channels used, phone numbers, tides, facilities, together with any other essential information are clearly shown in shaded panels.

The section on Galicia (edited by Martin Walker), is noticeably less comprehensive than the remaining two sections (edited by Anne Hammick). The former describing facilities as ‘good’ or ‘all’, or ‘none’, whereas the latter gives much more detailed descriptions (names, phone nos, emails etc.) on formalities, facilities, repair services and communications of all types, including travel.

Non ‘yachting’ information about many of the ports is limited (especially in the Galicia section), and whilst not as personal or whimsical as some other pilots, it is not one you would wish to be without while cruising the coast between Coruna and Gibraltar.