Collection: Cruising Guides

At various times in 2020 and 2021, five members of The Boat Galley team cruised the ICW on our respective boats. As we talked about our experiences, we all said the one thing we wished for was a little booklet with just the information needed underway. We were sick and tired of poring over pages of text every night, making lists of bridges, potential fuel and water stops, and so on.

Cruising guides, we agreed, were great for planning and telling you all about a particular area, but not so good for just answering quick questions such as "where's the nearest anchorage?" or "where's the next bridge and what channel do I call it on?"

We envisioned something different, designed from the beginning to be used in the cockpit, while underway. We created our wish list of information, ease-of-use features, and durability based on our own experiences when cruising. Authored by Larry Webber and designed by Julie Tijerina, the Cockpit Quick References tick all the boxes.

• Where's the nearest place I can anchor?
• What's the name of this bridge? How high is it? When does it open? How do I contact it?
• How close is an anchorage with protection from W (or N, E, or S) winds?
• Where's the next fuel stop? Can I get water there as well?
• Oops! I need a pumpout. Where? (We even include price, where known)
• This problem is going to require a haulout. Where's the nearest place that can handle my boat? (We include maximum beam)
• What side of that dredge is safe to go on?

Our Quick Reference Guides answer those questions and more. They're arranged by topic, then geographically in order.

The first printing of the ICW Guide sold out in less than 9 months, with a 4.8/5 rating on Amazon. We knew we had a hit and added similar guides for the Bahamas (where 5 team members have cruised extensively), the Florida Keys and Okeechobee (aka "Florida Loop" and the home base for 2 team members) and the Florida Gulf Coast, modifying the basic format by what was important in each area.

As active cruisers, we made sure information was easy to find and clear. We don't just create these guides -- we use them! And with each new volume, we make little tweaks to keep improving the guides.

We opted for ultra-durable waterproof paper, suitable for keeping in the cockpit. And, because we know that sometimes you need a guide right now or don't have a shipping address, we also offer a downloadable PDF of each one.