East Coast Pilot - Rated 
In Feb 08 purchased the above from Amazon and was annoyed to receive
the First edition dated 05 when the current edition was puiblished in Jan 08.
Poor service.
East Coast Pilot - Rated 
I bought 'East Coast Pilot' recently after using an elderly edition of 'East Coast Rivers' for the last few years.
After the 'Rivers' book, this one is a revelation. It fits my idea of what a pilot book should be, and made me realise that the old classic 'East Coast Rivers' has really lost the plot since Jack Coote passed on. It sticks to its agenda - and the text is written in a straightforward style, with very good pictures to go with it.
Another plus in my eyes is the website that the authors maintain, it shows all the updates and seems to be kept very current.
Really pleased with my purchase. Excellent.
Brilliant 'East Coast Pilot' - Rated
I bought one of these at the end of last year, having gone out to look for a replacement for my old `East Coast Rivers'. Comparing the two on the shelf, I quickly decided there was `no contest', the `latest' edition of the `Rivers' book being evidently much more out of date. I'd also read a very favourable review on the Cruising Asssociation website which had raised my interest.
My decision has been proved absolutely right as I have read `East Coast Pilot' from cover to cover during the winter and now started using it in its natural element, on board our boat on the creeks and rivers.
An additional attraction was to see Colin Jarman listed as one of the authors, he's a writer whose work I have long admired. There are two other authors involved too, and it seems they have performed quite a conjuring trick - I couldn't see any different writing styles at all. What's more it really comes across that the book is written almost lovingly by people who really know each of their areas - it's really written by `locals' I suppose.
The writing is concise and easy to understand, it's presented in logical order for entering each destination, the chartlets are up to Imray's usual standards and the photos are excellent and very helpful in many cases.
Another reviewer criticised the book for lack of information about pubs, restaurants etc but the authors did say it's not a `restaurant guide' in their introduction, although for many places they do list possible pubs etc. Personally I'm delighted with the book and would rather go exploring watering-holes myself - I expect that much of that kind of information would quickly get out of date anyway.
The old `East Coast Rivers' was sometimes called a `yachtsmans bible'. Not any more. I think that `East Coast Pilot' is far far better.
East Coast Pilot - Rated 
I have to admit I am not very well acquainted with any of the Rivers other than the Ore and Alde, where my family used to have a sports fishing boat - so yachting in my own boat is a first for me - so I thought Imray's East Coat Pilot would inform me as well as provide practical pilotage tips for this summer's plans.
I have to say that although I was impressed at first with the chartlets, I soon realised that the texts lacked substance and research - or perhaps my expectations of a pilot book were to high?
The pilotage notes themselves seemed clear and well described - but of course I have not had the chance to put them to the test. What really disappointed me was the background information that seemed a bit thin. For example, in Woodbridge, where my yacht is to be kept (I hope) in the chandlery section, there is no mention of Andy Seedhouse's bits and bobs store, which I have always found a very handy source of second hand bits and bobs. It mentions other chandlers in town which often have limited stock - an observation I would have noted. Well, let's move on as Chandlery is not crucial.
The pilotage notes themselves - especially referring to drying creeks - I found quite lacking too. Given this is a East Coast Pilot I note that there are almost no suggestions as to where to dry out. What I would like to know is there is a preferred flat, hard packed mud area up my chosen creek that would suit me drying out on legs or bilge keels? Will my yacht fall over in nearby gulley? Nothing.... Indeed, there is a comprehensive list of anchorages, which seems to suggest that the three gentlemen (yes three author's) have had little experience, or inclination of ditch crawling.
On certain creeks they pilot suggests "only suitable for shoal draft yachts" but in these cases it never defines what a shoal draft is. Evidently something less than the yachts they used to explore the East Coast in.
The Marina Information is also poor. Few web addresses are listed which would make researching a marina very useful. It would also be helpful if they could rate the facilities. I have been to marinas where the shower blocks are a health hazard, and others that are surprisingly clean, some are close, others a mile walk away - there is no information that allows an informed choice of stay. Is there internet access? Maybe a price guide? There is much more information that can be added to this section to improve the pilot.
On the same vain, the chartlets are scattered pint glass symbols which I presume means a pub. I would be so practical if they could mention the name of the pub, or even directions on how to walk to them. Only waterside pubs are featured in writing and even then there is no mention of the quality of food, beer, or even great views from a beer garden, children welcome etc. Although there are some mentions of where to land your dinghy, this information is by no means expansive.
Lastly - I have no car. So I was planning weekend cruises on the East Coast leaving the yacht at a mooring close to a station Sunday's and picking up the following Friday. There is very little information regarding how far a station is, directions to the station or even the name of the station or what line it is on. Again, this information, maybe adding web addresses or train booking number, would be most useful. If you own a car, well there is not one single parking suggestion in the whole book.
A cruise is a holiday for me - why do I need a separate guide for what is clearly seen as "no essential to pilotage"? I remember using a fantastic Leeward Islands Pilot when in the Caribbean in 2004, and when my back went pulling a halyard, I even found a Chiropractor listed in St. Barts. The listing was even current and he sorted me out. Likewise a Straits Pilot book I used in Gibraltar that recommended the best Tagine restaurant in Cueta - and indeed it was great and made last day of the holiday. With this in mind I have to say this pilot book is a poor example when you consider what can be achieved, and at min £16 an expensive one at that.
East Coast Pilot - Rated 
I have just returned from a week's cruise that put this pilot to good use from the River Ore/Alde to Maldon on the Blackwater. The pilot was easy to use, concise but not to the point of being dry to read. I found the large colour chartlets excellent and accurate and I particularly liked the buoy-by-buoy notes and "roadmap" courses & direction arrows for harbour entry. The summary tables of key information for each harbour were useful references too. Some criticism - I did feel that the preferred port/river entry times w.r.t. high and low water were a bit skimpy. For example, the prefered entry time for both the Ore and the Deben are just given as HW-2. In fact it's quite feasible to enter or leave at low water in a shoal draft boat. For the Ore its useful to know that the ebb continues to flow for about an hour after LW at the bar which gives a useful extra bit of depth if you leave at this time. This is not mentioned but entry/departure times are a matter of some concern to a skipper new to this coast and fuller information on what would be viable and safe times to arrive/depart from the more challenging rivers would help in passage planning. In summary, this is an excellent and most welcome new pilot book from a respected publisher that I would expect to provide strong competition to the established "East Coast Rivers" pilot. It also has the benefit of a website giving updates. Users are invited to contribute. Final note:- The copy supplied to me was soft, not hard, cover. Amazon lists it as hardcover, which would be better.
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