Charts & Guides, Chesapeake to Sarasota, FL

Bruceo1 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2005

We are preparing to take our 40 ft catamaran from the Chesapeake to Sarasota, FL. We''ll probally use the ICW for a lot of the trip, but want to have the option to go outside for part of the trip. I would appreciate suggestions for charts, chartbooks and guidebooks to buy for the trip. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

bruce

sailnaway · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2005

I think for the money you would ne well served to buy the chart packs Maptech Reagion 8 eleventh edition this willcover the keys south of Biscayne Bay all the way to keywest and up the cooast to Panama City but is good information.The same chart Pack or kit can be had for Cesapeake to the Keys. They are great because they also have sections around ports ect. that are enlarged so for the cost of around two hundred forty bucks you have good charts with no gaps. By the time you buy all the charts single printing you have spent almost twice what the pack cost. Good luck and fair winds.

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005

In addition to the charts, suggest Skipper Bob''s guide to anchorages on the ICW. Very comprehensive and also covers all bridges and recent shoaling and new buoys etc..
See: ... skipperbob.home.att.net

If you do go outside, you might want to pick up Dodge''s new guide to South East Coast Inlets which are often not covered in the waterway guides.
We always also carry the most recent waterway guides (mid-atlantic and southern) which are expensive but have good info on marinas and things to do but are more commercially focused than skipper bob.
Anything you cannot find here is available from Bluewaterweb.com among other places.

PaulBl · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005

Skipper Bob has it as far as the ICW. The ICW has suffered a lot of problem spots with the negelect and the last round of hurricanes. At least visit the site as it will give details that reflect the way it is now! No charts are totally accurate! Nothing has been updated recently. you need recent local knowledge if you draw any depth.

I guess as a Cat you don''t have the draft issues but even at that you would like the guidebook. The guideboook is nice with all the spots you may want or need indicated. It''s also very up to date. I would judge any sources by how up to date it is.