One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of this reference type stuff is available on CD. Less reliable than a real book perhaps, but a lot easier to stow.
For example, the Dashews sell a CD with all this stuff below on it for just $20 at
http://store.setsail.com/
but if you have broadband, you can download most of it yourself from
http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/mari...i_baseMenuID=e106a3b5e50edce1fec24fd73927a759
American Practical Navigator (Bowditch)
The standard reference for generations of sea-going officers, even today “Bowditch” has
information and tables that can be very helpful. From figuring your distance away from
an object of known height, to advice for passaging in foggy conditions, this publication
contains a wealth of information.
The World Factbook
Put together by the CIA, this is the U.S. government’s complete geographical handbook,
featuring 268 full-color maps and flags of all nations and geographical entities. Each
country profile tracks such demographics as population, ethnicity and literacy rates, as
well as political, geographical and economic data. Note: These are HTML files, not PDF
files, which you can view with any browser.
Chart No. 1
Symbols, abbreviations, and terms used on United States charts. Worth spending a few
hours perusing to better acquaint yourself with the information contained in the charts
that we usually take for granted. Invaluable when trying to understand some of the details
in chart-makers’ code.
Nautical Chart User’s Manual
This detailed look at using charts picks up where Chart No. 1 stops. A more detailed look
at using NOAA charts, filled with interesting examples. Provides a good review even for
experienced navigators.
Distances Between U.S. Ports
Covers distances between ports along the coastal U.S., as well as inland bodies including
the Intracoastal Waterway, various river systems, and the Great Lakes.
International Code of Signals (Pub 102)
It wasn’t that long ago that this manual was in constant use aboard commercial and
military vessels. Today, with all sorts of communication options, it is more of a curiosity.
Still, the day might come when your ability to communicate is compromised, in which
case this manual would become very valuable.
Navigation Rules – Inland and International
A U.S. Coast Guard publication detailing the current rules of the road and legal
requirements. Serves as an excellent reference for how regulations change when you
switch from offshore to inland areas.
Radio Navigational Aids (Pub. 117)
A listing of maritime radio, direction finding, and radar stations around the world. Gives
the location, frequencies, call signs, and other pertinent data. Also included is a list of
stations that can be used for emergency traffic. Good information on how to use your
radio gear.
World Charts with Magnetic Variation Outlined
World Chart – Orthographic Projection
World Chart – Polar Projection
United States Coast Pilots
In the era before local cruising guides, the Coast Pilots were the ultimate reference. They
still are for commercial operators. These regional manuals have valuable information
about weather, currents, and tidal anomalies, as well as important details on navigational
issues. Even if you are using a cruising guide, it is always a good idea to cross-reference
with the Coast Pilots, paying particular attention to navigational hazards.
Vol. 1 – Atlantic Coast (Eastport to Cape Cod)
Vol. 2 – Atlantic Coast (Cape Cod to Sandy Hook)
Vol. 3 – Atlantic Coast (Sandy Hook to Cape Henry)
Vol. 4 – Atlantic Coast (Cape Henry to Key West)
Vol. 5 – Atlantic Coast (Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands)
Vol. 6 – Great Lakes (Lakes Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Superior, and St. Lawrence
River)
Vol. 7 – Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii)
Vol. 8 – Pacific Coast Alaska (Dixon Entrance to Cape Spencer)
Vol. 9 – Pacific and Arctic Coasts Alaska (Cape Spencer to Beaufort Sea)
Pub 249 Sight Reduction Tables
Also known as the Air Reduction Tables, “HO249” has been the standard for working
celestial sights for more than half a century. The three volumes are presented in the same
format as the printed versions.
Vol. 1 – Selected Stars
Vol. 2 – Latitudes 0 to 40 degrees, Declinations 0 to 29 degrees
Vol. 3 – Latitudes 39 to 89 degrees, Declinations 0 to 29 degrees
Domestic Light Lists
Even in the age of GPS navigation, lights are still an important back up to confirm your
position. Charts – electronic and paper – can quickly become outdated. So double-check
the characteristics of important lights on your passages with the appropriate light list.
Vol. 1 – Atlantic Coast (St. Croix River, Maine to Shrewsbury River, New Jersey)
Vol. 2 – Atlantic Coast (Shrewsbury River, New Jersey to Little River, South
Carolina)
Vol. 3 – Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast (Little River, South Carolina to Ecofina
River, Florida, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
Vol. 4 – Gulf of Mexico (Ecofina River, Florida to the Rio Grande, Texas)
Vol. 5 – Missisippi River System (Mississippi River and its navigable tributaries)
Vol. 6 – Pacific Coast and Pacific Islands (Pacific Coast and outlying Pacific
Islands)
Vol. 7 – Great Lakes (Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River above the St.
Regis River)
Radar Navigation Manual (Pub 1310)
An interesting and detailed look at the theory of radar operation. Many helpful tables for
determining radar range. You might not read this in depth, but skimming it will yield
valuable insights.
World Port Index (Pub 150)
A listing of major ports around the world, along with their geographic coordinates. You’ll
find basic information on facilities and requirements for each port.
Distances Between Ports (Pub 151)
In the age of GPS, it’s no longer essential to have a worldwide source of distances
between ports. However, having the latitude and longitude of all major world ports is a
big help when playing “planning games” with your GPS.
Worldwide Marine Radiofacsimile Broadcast Schedules
As the name implies, this is a list of the weather fax stations around the world, their
frequencies, and most important, a schedule of information to be transmitted.
Atlas of Pilot Charts
These are the traditional pilot charts with which we all grew up. Organized by season (or
monthly in some cases), they contain a variety of data on “average” winds, gales, fog, ice,
ocean currents and other info of interest to mariners.
Pub 106 – North Atlantic Ocean
Pub 107 – South Pacific Ocean
Pub 109 – Indian Ocean
NIMA List of Lights, Radio Aids, and Fog Signals
Each of these publications lists the location and characteristics of the lights, radio aids or
fog signals in question. The seven volumes cover the entire world outside of the
continental U.S.
Pub 110 – Greenland, the East Coasts of North and South America (excluding
continental U.S. except the East Coast of Florida) and the West Indies
Pub 111 – The West Coasts of North and South America (excluding the
continental U.S. and Hawaii), Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and
the Islands of the North and South Pacific Oceans
Pub 112 – Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Persian Gulf and
Red Sea
Pub 113 – The West Coasts of Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, Black
Sea, and Sea of Azov
Pub 114 – British Isles, English Channel, and North Sea
Pub 115 – Norway, Iceland, and Arctic Ocean
Pub 116 – Baltic Sea with Kayyegat, Belts and Sound, and Gulf of Bothnia
Sailing Directions
These are the bibles for the offshore voyager. They contain literally everything you need
to know about weather, currents, clearing procedures, navigational dangers, and general
navigation data. The Sailing Directions are also filled with photos, chartlets, and
drawings.
Pub 120 – Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia
Pub 123 – Southwest Coast of Africa
Pub 124 – East Coast of South America
Pub 125 – West Coast of South America
Pub 126 – Pacific Islands
Pub 127 – East Coast of Australia and New Zealand
Pub 131 – Western Mediterranean
Pub 132 – Eastern Mediterranean
Pub 140 – North Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
Pub 141 – Scotland
Pub 142 – Ireland and the West Coast of England
Pub 143 – West Coast of Europe and Northwest Africa
Pub 145 – Nova Scotia and the St. Lawrence
Pub 146 – Newfoundland, Labrador, and Hudson Bay
Pub 147 – Caribbean Sea Volume I
Pub 148 – Caribbean Sea Volume II
Pub 153 – West Coasts of Mexico and Central America
Pub 154 – British Columbia
Sailing Directions (continued)
Pub 155 – East Coast of Russia
Pub 157 – Coasts of Korea and China
Pub 158 – Japan Volume I
Pub 159 – Japan Volume II
Pub 160 – South Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean
Pub 161 – South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
Pub 162 – Philippine Islands
Pub 163 – Borneo, Jawa, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara
Pub 164 – New Guinea
Pub 171 – East Africa and the South Indian Ocean
Pub 172 – The Red Sea and the Persian Gulf
Pub 173 – India and the Bay of Bengal
Pub 174 – Strait of Malacca and Sumatera
Pub 175 – North, West and South Coasts of Australia
Pub 180 – Arctic Ocean
Pub 181 – Greenland and Iceland
Pub 182 – North and West Coasts of Norway
Pub 183 – Northern Coast of Russia
Pub 191 – English Channel
Pub 192 – North Sea
Pub 193 – Skagerrak and Kattegat
Pub 194 – Baltic Sea (Southern Part)
Pub 195 – Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Bothnia
Pub 200 – Antarctica
