Abacos charts and Cruising guides

[Doug C.]

I would like to get some input regarding charts and cruising guides for the Abacos.  I have used Explorer chartbooks in the past and was wondering if they are still among the best.  Also in need of a good cruising guide.

Thanks
Doug

[psyche]

The Explorer Charts are still the charts of choice for the Bahamas. There are new updated editions of the Explorer charts. There is a new (2006) Explorer chart, Sea of Abaco for $11.95. Stephen Pavlidis' Guides are very good and if you go to his website you will find updates. Having said this Steve Dodge has a new edition to his "Cruising Guide to Abaco." The guide includes resurveys from 2005. He also has an Abaco chart AB001 that sells for $19.95 that you might want to consider in addition to the Explorer Charts. All of these are available from Bluewater books and charts WWW.bluewaterweb.com Dan

[Frank]

We are 'just' finishing another Bahamas cruise :-(   I have 3 cruise guides on board but the one that consistantly lives in the cockpit wih me is 'explorer'.Can't beat it.

[Lynx]

The Expoloer charts are so good that almost everybody is putting them in their GPS Map. I do recommend this for small boats to get in and out of the shallow places.

Guides, I have not found a bad one yet!!!

[psyche]

Frank when you said the guide that lives in the cockpit with you was the Explorer were you referring to the Explorer chartbook or is there a guide called explorer. I am not familiar with a guide called explorer other than Monty and Sara Lewis' Explorer chartbooks. Dan

[Frank]

Explorer chartbook.Lots of notes and local info there as well.Great buy @ $50...plus now they are waterproof

[Doug C.]

Thanks for all the input. 

FWIW, I ordered the charts from Landfall Navigation.  They had a package special on the Explorer chart and the Cruising Guide to Abaco for $59.