West Country Cruising Companion: A yachtsman's pilot and cruising guide to ports and harbours from Portland Bill to Padstow, including the Isles of Scilly

by Mark Fishwick, Kate Brodie

Overview

The go-to West Country pilot guide since 1988, now updated for its tenth edition.
Mark Fishwick’s West Country Cruising Companion is the leading pilot guide to this wonderful cruising area of south west England. First published in 1988 as West Country Cruising, it remains in hardback (and eBook) and covers the area from Portland Bill to Padstow, as well as the Isles of Scilly, giving passage information into the area from both the east and the north.
This definitive sailing guide for the ever-attractive coastline of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly combines a skilful blend of pilotage and cruising information, with historical insight and suggestions of where to eat and what to do ashore.
For those who plan to head west, this book is more than essential reading – it will enhance your enjoyment and prove to be a worthy and much used addition to the ship's library. Those already in the west will find themselves regularly thumbing its pages.
Share Mark Fishwick’s passion for this region which combines with his in-depth knowledge from a lifetime cruising these waters to create a text which will inspire and inform you. It is enhanced with colour charts and detailed photography, including spectacular aerial shots of many ports, harbours and anchorages. Now containing QR codes to take you quickly to the main harbour and marina websites.
This latest edition has been fully updated by local yachtswoman Kate Brodie and includes over 75 new photos as well as updated text and charts; further updates are provided every Spring on the Fernhurst Books’ website. It builds on the previous edition which out-rated other pilot guides to the West Country on Amazon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912621798
Publisher:	Fernhurst Books
Publication date:	08/21/2025
Series:	Cruising Companions , #2
Edition description:	10th ed.
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 12.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Born in Exeter and bought up on the River Exe, Mark Fishwick began sailing at an early age and explored the rivers, creeks and harbours of the West Country in his parent's sloop. He moved to Cornwall in 1973 and since then has enjoyed a varied nautical life encompassing commercial fishing, charter skippering in the West Indies, yacht delivery, boatyard work, writing, photography and just occasionally sailing for fun! He has now returned to his roots and lives within sight of the River Exe.

Kate Brodie grew up in Dorset and returned to the West Country over 30 years ago as the GP in Topsham up to her retirement in 2020. Kate is an accomplished sailor, both as a European Champion dinghy sailor and as a cruising yachtswoman (completing a UK circumnavigation, largely single-handed, in 2020, raising over £10,000 in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support). She currently owns a Westerly Storm, Hullabaloo, for cruising and shares a Jeanneau Sun 2000, Ra, for racing.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Portland Bill to Start Point

Start Point to Rame Head

Rame Head to the Manacles

The Manacles to Land’s End

The Isles of Scilly

Land’s End to Pentire Point

Index

Editorial Reviews

It is obvious why so many cruising yachtsmen would want this in the wheelhouse for any West Country cruise. It’s a considerable work, the level of detail is forensic, and there is a clear chartlet of every port.” (Classic Boat)
“It is written in an engaging and readable style and manages to combine comprehensive pilotage information with extensive details of local facilities and points of interest, as well as some fascinating history. It has greatly enhanced my knowledge of my home waters!” (Royal Cruising Club)
“This is a must have addition to the library for any sailor who intends cruising the West Country… The amount of information and specific details contained within this Companion is exceptional.” (Compass Magazine)
“It has retained its popularity due to its excellent mix of in-depth local knowledge and genuine love and affection for this beautiful cruising ground.” (Sailing Today)
“A new edition of Mark Fishwick’s indispensable Cruising Companion is a welcome event.” (Yachting Monthly)

From the Publisher