What’s New for 2008? 2008 REED’s East Coast Edition
As the editorial team here at Reed’s set forth to compile this 35
th
edition of our
East Coast Almanac, we did so with one basic question in mind: How can we
make the book even more useful and accessible to the sailors and mariners who
rely on it to execute safe, efficient, enjoyable passages?
The answer, it turned out, was simple. Provide voyagers with the facts and infor-
t
r
o
mation they need most in a format that’s straightforward, easily understood and
In
eminently practical. For 2008, then, we’ve reorganized the Almanac in a fashion that
brings to the forefront the hard info recreational boaters and professional skippers
require on a day-to-day basis—tides and currents, charts and pilots—while con-
tinuing to provide the topical reference content for which REED’s is renowned.
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The revamped Pilot chapters that now kick off the Almanac (p. 6) include way-
points for lights, buoys and aids to navigation, along with advice on dangerous
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shoals, currents and other hazards. A new feature called REED’s Recommends con-
hat
tains region-by-region listings on events and shoreside attractions that will enliven
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your coastal ramblings. You’ll then find details on inlets, bridges and VTS informa-
tion as well as local regulations for ports and harbors up and down the coast, from
Nova Scotia to Texas along with the Bahamas and Bermuda. Our port listings will
tell you what to expect in the way of facilities when you get there, and can help you
choose emergency safe harbors to “duck in” should conditions deteriorate. The
Tides and Currents chapters (p. 347 and p. 537) present detailed predictions and
time corrections for hundreds of locations, adjusted for daylight saving time.
As in the past, this year REED’s again incorporates reports from some of the
East Coast’s most respected cruising sailors, whose hard-earned lessons and local
knowledge will guide you on your own explorations of this rich coastline.
In addition to the new layout, REED’s has continued its time-honored tradition of
addressing the fundamental skills of seamanship that are necessary to ensure self-
sufficiency underway. Much of this is designed to help you make use of the contem-
porary tools aboard today’s well-equipped vessels, including SSB- and VHF-radio,
GPS receivers, satellite services and laptop computers. These chapters include:
• Weather (p. 779) – Access and interpret marine weather information from a
variety of sources, including weatherfax charts, radio forecasts, internet re-
sources, and onboard observations.
• Communications (p. 812) – How to get the most out of your VHF, SSB, cell
phones, satellite services and Internet connections.
• navigation (p. 835) – A how-to reference on traditional piloting skills and
much more.
• Planning (p. 875) – Guidance on building a voyage plan, as well as worksheets
and checklists for a variety of safety functions.
As the world changes, so does REED’s, and if you discover information that
isn’t in Reed’s but should be, contact us via email or on our website (publisher
@reedsalmanac.com; www.reedsalmanac.com) and we can include it in our next
edition or one of our regular online updates.
Safe voyaging…and thanks for bringing REED’s aboard.
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