The guides Imray These guides are essential companions for sailors and boating enthusiasts. Designed by experts, they compile clear and practical information for planning a coastal outing, a cruise, or a trip along the European and Mediterranean coastlines. Their goal: to provide boaters with reliable, easy-to-access data for safe navigation.
To remember
- Reference books for boaters and navigators, coastal or offshore.
- Comprehensive information: ports, anchorages, currents, regulations.
- Regular updates to reflect changes in infrastructure and mapping.
- A collection suitable for beginners as well as experienced sailors.
Introducing Imray guides
Imray guides are nautical manuals published by Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson, British house specializing in marine cartography since the 18th centuryThey cover many areas: the English Channel, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, but also some large lakes.
Each title offers a practical approach: detailed maps, port descriptions, navigation tips and points of interest on land.
History of Imray guides
The publisher Imray traces its origins back to 1904, following the merger of several London cartographers, including John Norie, William Heather and James Imray. Initially dedicated to the production of nautical charts, the company published its first navigation guides in the 1970s.Responding to the rise of modern boating, these works quickly became a reference, thanks to the accuracy of their data and their regular updates. They became essential books to have on board ships.
What can be found in these guides?
Each volume is designed as a field tool:
- Maps and plans : extracts from nautical charts, port and anchorage plans.
- Practical information : GPS coordinates, depths, anchorage areas, tides, currents.
- Ports and shelters : description of infrastructure, services, radio access, harbourmaster’s office hours.
- Security : signage, fires, local instructions, regulated areas.
- Culture and tourism : notes on villages, markets, coastal paths.
- Navigation Tips : prevailing winds, weather precautions, maneuvering tips.
This information is written by authors who are often sailors themselves, and who enrich the technical data with observations from their experience.
The main Imray guides
Here is an overview of titles often praised by boaters:
| Covered area | Guide title | Target audience |
|---|---|---|
| English Channel and northern Brittany | The Channel Pilot | Coastal navigators |
| Southern Brittany and Vendée | Atlantic France | Cruise lines |
| Southern England | South Coast of England | Local boaters and visitors |
| Western Mediterranean | Mediterranean France & Corsica Pilot | Skippers and charterers |
| Aegean Sea | Greek Waters Pilot | Sailing cruise |
| Caribbean | Caribbean Islands | Winter navigation |
These books are available in English, often accompanied by color illustrations and photographs.
Why are these guides useful?
- Reliable preparation They allow you to organize each stage of a cruise, from departure to return.
- Save time Ports, anchorages and services are listed, avoiding lengthy searches.
- Increased security Information on hazards, beacons and local weather conditions helps to anticipate risks.
- Discovering the coastline Beyond navigation, these guides highlight maritime heritage and stopovers on land.
- Frequent updates : Authors and editors regularly update the content to reflect changes in infrastructure.