Author Description

The established book of annual astro-navigation tables compiled specifically for the needs of boaters. This superbly compact almanac and sight reduction tables contains information the ocean-going sailor needs in order to navigate by the sun, moon, stars and planets, using tables devised by practical ocean navigators. This book, together with a sextant, will help sailors to navigate confidently and safely when out of the sight of land. This 2026 edition is completely up to date and continues to feature the well-received additions of the past few years, including forms to help determine True Altitude (for the sun, stars and planets), Calculated Altitude (using the versine formula) and Azimuth (using the ABC Tables), as well as a pro forma for calculating Intercept. These tables, along with clear and easy to use star ID charts, mean you can resolve any calculation you're ever going to need. There is also an introductory section on practising ashore, with helpful worked examples as an aide memoire, and plenty of space for making notes and calculations. While they should not be relied upon as anyone's sole means of navigation, being so easy to use, Reeds tables encourage active navigation and a better understanding by sailors of where they have been and where to go next – rewarding in itself and essential in the event of GPS failure.