Chartbook / Cruiser's Guide for the San Juan Islands

[FloatyThing]

We are looking to charter in the San Juan Islands and I would like to get recommendations on a good chartbook and cruser's guide.

Any recommendations?
I prefer waterproof chartbooks like the Explorer charts for the Bahamas.

Any opinions on Maptech's chartbook for the San Juans?

[s/v Beth]

Your charter should have charts (paper) a chartplotter and a cruisers guide. If you are sailing, you should also get a current/tide charts. Motor boaters don't pay as much attention to them. To get you prepped for the area, the charter people often have shorter guides and sample cruises on their websites. If you are really gung ho, I have an extra one that I can drop off on my way back to Utah. I am in Seattle now but will be returning by the end of the week.

[Capt.Don]

San Juan Sailing has a guide to chartering and cruising the San Juans.

[FloatyThing]

I am very hands on and would like to own the charts long before going on the actual trip, so what the charter company provides isn't enough for me.
@Newt, thanks for the offer, but I am not in such a hurry that I need it right away....just starting to prep.

Anyone else have input on their favorite chartbook, cruiser's guide, or the quality of Maptech's chartbook?

[Dreaming Yachtsman]

We used Volumes 1-3 of the Dreamspeaker series during our too short cruise around Vancouver Island and found them quite accurate and very helpful. We have an honorable mention in Volume 4, San Juan Islands, as we "rescued" the authors caught in a fast current while rowing to a nearby island park for research on their guide. Check out their web site: Cruising Guides | Pacific Northwest | Dreamspeaker Guides.

[afthatch]

Just received the dreamspeaker guide to the gulf islands and it was very helpful. marina #s when we needed water etc. in conjunction with the chartbook worked really well.