Explore More with Imray

If you have a boat on the South Coast or hire one this year you must listen to the podcast! Rachael Sprot has been sailing in the Solent for over 20 years. For this episode she talks to marine podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones about some of her favourite places to visit and why you should too!!

To order a copy of her guide to the Solent or any other Imray publication just visit https://store.imray.com/collections/books-1

In this episode Marine Podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones meets up with Annabel Finding to talk about the Imray pilot book she is newly responsible for……. The Channel Islands, Cherbourg Peninsula & North Brittany.

We had a lot of fun whilst chatting, as I’m sure you’ll be able to tell…but we did have all sorts of technical issues whilst recording….NOT anyone’s fault….such are the challenges of us both being on boats with Annabel’s located currently in Turkey!! So please excuse some of the variations in sound!!

The Channel Islands, Normandy and Brittany coasts can seem a daunting sailing area for those unaccustomed to their ways, but this book provides reassurance and so much practical advice that anyone using it will feel confident of success.' (Yachting Monthly). It is the definitive pilot for anyone interested in the challenge of exploring the less frequently used passages and anchorages.

To find out more just visit:

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/North+West+Europe/IB0199-1/ 

It’s my pleasure to welcome you to another edition in our series Explore with Imray. As I get to talk with more of the editors behind the wonderful pilot books Imray produce.

I hope you’ll enjoy hearing more about their passion for the water along with some of their favourite anchorages and of course discovering more about the cruising grounds they cover which hopefully will provide you with some inspiration for your next cruise.

In this episode I met up with Jane Cumberlidge to talk about the pilot book she is now responsible for……..The Bristol Channel and River Severn Cruising Guide including Milford Haven to St Ives including the Navigable Severn to Worcester

Yachting monthly said ‘This pilot book covers nearly every creek, pill, river and harbour from Milford Haven to St Ives via Lydney and Bristol. It’s beautifully illustrated throughout, with inspiring photographs and a comprehensive set of harbour chartlets. Plenty of historical and cultural asides and a wealth of detail on shoreside attractions’ .

To find out more just visit;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/North+West+Europe/IB0012/

For this episode marine podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones had the great pleasure to hook up with Chris Howes the editor of 2 pilot books - the Fenland Waterways and The River Great Ouse and its tributaries. 

Chris had kindly moved his barge ‘Lily May’ upstream on the Great Ouse for our chat in order to get a decent Wi Fi signal (which also necessitated him temporally putting up an 8ft ariel pole) such are the challenges of communications in some of the far-flung outer reaches of the UK!!

An Amazon customer said ‘5 stars - quite simply, if you use the river Nene, then you need this book. It tells you where all the Friends of the River Nene spots are, it tells you where you can moor for the night, it tells you tons of info about places of interest. Just buy the book, it will really improve your river life.’ 

This is a great podcast that will have reaching for this link ;https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+Inland+Waterways+Maps+%26+Guides/British+Isles/IB0212-2/  

In this episode marine podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones was delighted to meet up with Norman Kean the editor of South & West Coasts of Ireland Sailing Directions, East & North Coasts of Ireland Sailing Directions and (co-editor) of Cruising Ireland. 

Norman is a fascinating guest who has a huge passion for the Emerald Isle, making it an absolutely fascinating conversation that covered everything from his favourite anchorages to some of the issues involved in taking your pets across to Ireland.

Relied upon for over 80 years as the standard text on small-craft pilotage of the Irish coast. Over 350 ports, harbours and anchorages, described passage planning, pilotage, tides, dangers, lights and marks, on shore facilities, latest information from INFOMAR, new pontoons in 12 harbours, and a new chapter on crossings to and from England and Wales.

To order your own copy of his book(s) just click here; https://www.imray.com/Publications/Bookshop/Other+Publishers+Pilot+books%2C+Handbooks%2C+Almanacs/North+West+Europe/RBICC0001-3/ 

Steve Pickard is the Pilot book editor for Mediterranean Spain, including the Straits of Gibraltar all the way to the French border

In this Imray podcast (together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation). Steve Pickard brings to life, with Podcaster Ceri, some of his favourite Med Spain areas together with some words of wisdom for both the new and returning cruiser.

Steve first came to the Mediterranean region in the winter of 1978 on a delivery trip from the Hamble to Greece. In Gibraltar he took over a Nicolson 39 that had spent Christmas hove to off NW Spain. Almost certainly as a result of these excesses the rudder dropped off on their first night out from Gib when he was amazed to find out how warm the winter sea was! As Almeria drew close he was treated to his first sight of Moorish Spain with the town’s imposing castle dominating the very welcome port. Steve has cruised this coast many times since and always too quickly has found that the slower the progress, the greater the rewards.

To order your copy of this fascinating pilot book just go to:

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/Mediterranean/IB0236-1/

For this edition of Explore More with Imray, together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation, podcaster Ceri meets up with Linda Lane Thornton to talk about the pilot book she co writes with Anne Hammick FRIN and Hilary Keatinge.......The Atlantic Islands. This amazing book covers; Bermuda, Azores, Madeira Group, Canary Islands and Cape Verdethe.

Linda started off sailing a little Wayfarer dingy, before progressing to completing an Atlantic circuit including a visit to the Azores.

She then married Andy, who was at that time a complete Novice sailor, so they went off chartering in the Greek islands before buying there own Nicholson, half Tonner, that they sailed out of Blyth, Northumberland, before trading up to a Nicholson 35 in 2006.(Andy said it was her birthday present!!). On which they sailed over 5,000 miles, completing a complete circumnavigation that ended up in…… the Azores!

After three more Atlantic circuits they finally settled on São Jorge, in the Azores over 15 months ago.

To order your own copy of this fascinating book goto; https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0235-1/

Welcome to another edition in our series Explore More with Imray as Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to more of the contributors that work with Imray. Today’s guests are Rod and Lu Heikell, editors of the Greek Waters Pilot and Ionian  

Growing up in the west country Lu gained a love of cruising and dinghy sailing from her father, Peter. Then met up with her husband Rod in 1999 when she joined him as crew on a trip from the Azores to Gibraltar…..

Born in New Zealand, Rod Heikell, abandoned academic life in the UK, and sailed a 1950s, 20 foot plywood yacht down to the Mediterranean where he worked in the charter market. Until in ignorance of the scale of the task, he decided to write a yachtsman’s guide to Greece. Over the past five decades, together with Lu, they have produced a whole host of pilot books covering everywhere from the Med to the Indian ocean, along with many other books and novels.

Now, living on the Isle Of Wight, when they're not on their beloved yacht Skylax, they work on their books and enjoy cooking great food.

For your copy of these pilot books just go to: 

https://www.imray.com/publications/Books/IB0211-1/

Marine podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones meets up with the Editor of Imray publications Jane Russel to talk all things about sailing with families on board. Jane shares some fascinating insights into how she and her husband have traveled hundreds of miles, relatively stress free, whilst keeping young folks entertained and very safe!

Jane Russell grew up with parents who were big dinghy sailors, meeting her husband through the same route! After university, instead of being sensible and buying a house, they bought an old steel boat, living and cruising on her knowing almost nothing!! As she says 'it all built from there'! With many sea miles under the keel from sailing to various destinations around the world, they landed back in the West Country in 2000.

Once children arrived, right from the word go, they had them on board, as they continued to cruise extensively.   

On behalf of Imray marine Podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones meets up with Peter Harvey, editor of The Tidal Havens of The Wash and Humber who’s sailing origins are all based on the East coast, where he's well used to boating around in muck, as opposed to mucking around in boats!

Peter's love of all things that float goes right back to his school days, when the boat he built wouldn’t actually fit out of the woodwork room! After serving in the Royal Navy he got involved in various forms of Marine consultancy, that led him back to the Wash where he was involved in the design and building of Wisbech yacht Harbour, of which he later became harbormaster. Now retired, he dedicates his time to helping the sailing community to explore more of his favourite part of the UK.

To get your own copy of this fascinating pilot book just click here. https://www.imray.com/Publications/Other+publishers+Pilot+books,+handbooks,+almanacs/IB0176/ 

Managing Director Lucy Wilson talks to podcaster Ceri Hurford-Jones about Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd nautical publications, who produce over 250 charts, 100 pilot books and cruising guides, along with a series of apps for the digital era. 

It’s a time of change, not only for Imray but also within the wider marine industry as sailing habits are changing and technology open up huge opportunities. 

It’s an exciting challenge and one that Lucy couldn’t take on without the rest of the wider family at Imray! 

Listen to this podcast to hear more about what the future holds for this amazing 300 year old company @imraynautical

This is a bonus edition in our series Exploring Sailing Topics with Imray with Ceri Hurford-Jones.

Today’s special guests not only know about all the places to visit, but they will probably help influence your culinary choices on the way! On this podcast they talk about some of their experiences sailing to some of the most amazing and uplifting coastlines around.

Born in New Zealand, Rod Heikell, abandoned academic life in the UK, and sailed a 1950s, 20 foot plywood yacht down to the Mediterranean where he worked in the charter market. Until in ignorance of the scale of the task, he decided to write a yachtsman’s guide to Greece. Over the past five decades, together with his wife Lou, they've produced a whole host of pilot books covering everywhere from the Med to the Indian ocean, along with many other books and novels.

Lou Heikell, met her husband when she joined him as crew on a trip between the Azores to Gibraltar, many sea miles and a circumnavigation later, they have lived loved and worked together for nearly 20 years. Now, living on the Isle Of Wight, when they're not on their beloved yacht Skylax, they work on books and cooking great food.

Explore Sailing topics with Imray and Ceri Hurford-Jones, today’s guests are Dinah and Trevor Thompson who have been keen sailors since childhood.

Trevor began his time at sea with a brief stint in the Merchant Navy. Dinah began sailing in Poole harbour. Then together in 1973, they got together pooling their resources to buy a 17ft sailing cruiser, getting as far as St Ives with her.

Various adventures and boats later they purchased Joleta of Pettycur, a 26' junk rigged beauty in which they set off to sail to the Mediterranean, and the boat which was their floating home in the Adriatic.

Keen to pass on their knowledge to the next generation, both have formed deep relationships with their local Sea Cadet Corps, but their Magnum Opus is, The Adriatic Pilot first published by Imray in 1986 and now in its eighth edition.

Please follow the link for more information;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0240-1/ 

Ceri talks to another great guest in the series Explore Sailing topics with Imray, together with The Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation.   

Today’s guest is Andrew Wilkes the editor of Arctic and Northern Waters pilot book. Andrew started his working life as a Radio Officer in the merchant navy but came ashore in his twenties to work in the telecoms industry. He’s been an active cruising sailor ever since with stints at the helm of everything from a dingy to a 67ft steel Challenge yacht.

He’s an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor who with his wife, Máire sail their 56 ft steel gaff cutter, Annabel J, to some of the world’s most remote places; from Argentina to the Baltic, and from the Faroe Islands to Alaska.

When not on his own boat, Andrew sails with the Ocean Youth Trust, a charity which takes disadvantaged young people to sea

To find out more about his pilot book please go to;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0209-2/

Welcome to another edition in our series Explore Sailing topics with Imray as Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to more of the contributors that work with Imray. Today’s guest is Lu Heikell co-editor of Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot

Growing up in the west country Lu gained a love of cruising and dinghy sailing from her father, Peter. Then met up with her husband Rod in 1999 when she joined him as crew on a trip from the Azores to Gibraltar…..they have been together now for over twenty years and live on the Isle of Wight when not on their yacht ‘Skylax'.

Click here for a copy of Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0194-1/ 

Join Ceri Hurford-Jones,for another in our series Explore Sailing topics with Imray, together with the RCC Pilotage Foundation.

……Today he is talking to David Baggaley, who with his wife Susie, have over 65 years’ sailing experience between them and have sailed over 150,000 miles, most of which have been since their retirement, including extensive periods in the Caribbean, North America and northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean. They have certainly used their Beneteau 42, Kookaburra to good effect as they carried out their extensive research of the Balearic islands for the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation Islas Baleares cruising guide. Having lived on Menorca for several years, it’s clear that’s where their hearts lie. They say, that high on their list of priorities these days is for well-protected anchorages with good sand or mud bottoms where they can sleep soundly through wind shifts!

To order a copy visit 

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0231-1/ 

Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to Geoff Crowley, an RYA Ocean Yachtmaster, who speaks Icelandic! He’s also one of the volunteer skippers in the Able2Sail charity that offers free sailing experiences to disabled young people. In his 'spare time' he is the editor of the Clyde Cruising Club’s Sailing Directions and Anchorages Firth of Clyde  - one of the titles in the CCC’s well-known and popular series.

Part of the Clyde Cruising Club’s Sailing Directions and Anchorages series, Firth of Clyde extends beyond its titled area to the coast of Northern Ireland (Rathlin Island to Belfast Lough) and on the Scottish side southwards from Stranraer to Portpatrick and beyond to the Solway Firth and Cumbria.

Firth of Clyde covers everything from the busy waters of the Firth of Clyde and River Clyde to the more remote areas of the wider estuary and connected lochs, including the protected and beautiful Kyles of Bute and Loch Riddon, Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal. Coverage then extends west and south to encompass North Channel and Solway Firth.

‘Drawing upon an impressive list of sources… All charts, photographs and commentary provide unique information for sailors wishing to undertake real or ‘virtual’ cruises in the finest areas of west and northeast Scotland- those of us who have cruised there in the past can only look with envy on all the data, wishing that these fine publications had been available in our day!’ Cruising Magazine.

Buy your own copy of this pilot book here;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0242-1/ 

Ceri Hurford-Jones talks to Madeleine Strobel who met her partner at a sailing school in Germany in the 60's, luckily, they both liked sailing (and clearly each other!) and have kept both passions alive since.

From dinghy sailing on Lake Geneva to many years of extensive cruising in northern Europe on Easy Rider, their trusted Bowman 40, and southwards to the Mediterranean including Corsica and Sardinia where they have spent many years, both on and off the water, researching and writing the latest edition of the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation’s pilot book Corsica and North Sardinia.

The west coast of Corsica and the northeast coast of Sardinia have some of the finest scenery in the Mediterranean for the cruising yachtsman. Limpid blue and turquoise waters, small coves and spectacular cliffs and beaches are scattered along the 1,000M of coastline......on the podcast Madeleine shares some of her favourite anchorages and harbours along with some great advice for anyone planning on visiting the area. 

For more information on this wonderful cruising ground please visit:

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/IB0218-1/ 

Covering the whole Atlantic coast of France, from Ouessant in the north to Hendaye on the Spanish border, the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation Atlantic France pilot book has been thoroughly revised and updated by Nick Chavasse who has taken his Bowman 40, Wild Bird, into every main port and a multitude of anchorages, including explorations up the numerous navigable rivers.

During this podcast Nick talks to Ceri Hurford-Jones about the delights of the Brittany coast west from L'Aberwrac'h, to the gateway to the Chenal du Four including the islands of Ouessant and Molène. This podcast will help you understand more about this long and varied coastline with its sometimes-daunting tides and currents and why so many sailors enjoy sailing here.

To order your copy just visit: 

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/North+West+Europe/IB0162-2/ 

The East Coast Pilot has become the bible for cruising sailors for the waters between Great Yarmouth and Ramsgate covering as it does the many harbours, rivers and creeks in a clear and concise manner. This podcast features Ceri Hurford-Jones talking to the authors Garth Cooper and Dick Holness as they reveal some of the mysteries of sailing these shallow and shifting coastal waters. Both authors keep their boats on the East Coast and are life-long lovers of the area. They maintain that every time they cast off and take to the water, they learn something new, adding to the considerable wealth of experience which they have passed on enthusiastically over many years.

To find out more just visit:

https://www.imray.com/Publications/IB0232-1/

Graham Adam, author of the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation pilot book Isles of Scilly talks to Ceri Hurford-Jones about this extraordinary and beautiful archipelago, just ten miles long and five wide, that has so much to offer and yet so few know of its very existence, let alone where it is! 

The islands are 30 miles out into the Atlantic, so any visitor, travelling from any direction, must make a special effort to get there. It is certainly not the easiest of cruising destinations but well worth the effort! This podcast will draw you in to find out why this compelling mix of dramatic seascapes, a huge variety of flora and fauna, and a fascinating history that reaches back over 4,000 years will draw you towards it.

To order your copy just visit;

https://www.imray.com/Publications/Imray+Pilots/Imray+pilots+and+cruising+guides/North+West+Europe/IB0137-1/