Customer Reviews

Marine Atlas of the Hawaiian Islands : Complete Charts for Mariners Cruising the Waters in and Around Kauai, Ntiihau, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe

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A.P. Balder's "Marine Atlas of the Hawaiian Islands" makes up in convenience what it lacks in originality. This coffee-table format book simply repackages National Ocean Service charts in a book.

Unless you spend your whole life on the water, you could probably save money by buying just the charts you actually need from a NOAA-authorized dealer. Even so, "Marine Atlas" will be a preferred choice for many sailors, especially those who go out to sea in tiny craft.

Balder has been issuing these "cockpit-handy" compilations since 1966, starting with his own sailing grounds, Chesapeake Bay. He now has crossed the country in 11 volumes.

The Hawaii book is a miscellaneous collection of data. The water sections are (or were, in 1992) the latest editions of NOS charts. The land sections are mostly old by often handsome engraved maps.

The combination of modern and antique cartographic techniques is more appealing than I would have thought possible, but be forewarned - these maps won't help you much once you're off the boat. But then, they weren't intended to.

Balder says his atlas is intended as a "planning guide," with actual navigation to be supported by NOS charts. No doubt that should be taken seriously for interisland trips. From what I know of daytrippers, here and elsewhere, most of them don't have any charts, so a copy of the atlas on board is better than nothing.

Balder does warn: "The atlas is not to be used for navigation."

Stuck on the charts and on data pages are little notes on good diving spots, excerpts from the Coast Pilot, telephone numbers for making reservations, or, heaven forbid, getting the recompression chamber ready and such like. All these numbers are now out-of-date.

The book comes in a giant baggie to keep it dry under way. Altogether, it was a handy, if rather pricey, thing to have aboard. It is now long out-of-date for current information, but for what it is, still of some value if the asking prices by used book dealers are any indication.