Claiborne S. Young penned his first cruising guide to his
native state of North Carolina in 1983. Since then, he has written six comprehensive guides and served as editor to the Cruising Guide to New York Waterways and Lake Champlain.
Young's books with Pelican are considered the gold standard
for cruising guides and have been called the “most comprehensive, accurate, and informative on the market.” The famous precision of the books can be attributed to Young's genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter. “I actually felt that I had to go out and see and experience everything I wrote
about,” says the author concerning the meticulous nature of his guides.
He and his navigator wife, Karen, are ardent, expert cruisers who have logged countless hours exploring southern coastlines to ensure the
accuracy of their descriptions and recommendations. Though incredibly
experienced himself, Young writes his guides with captains of all skill levels
in mind.
Young seasons his guides with invaluable maps, photographs, and chart references, as well as personal stories to give readers the edge in
safety, convenience, and efficiency. The coastal-chart books offer full-color
NOAA nautical charts and easy-to-read map characters, and all are cross-referenced to every site and symbol in the cruising guides to make access
to information quick and clear.
Unlike most cruising guides, Young's books go the extra
mile to offer recommendations about restaurants and historic sites on the land side of boat travel. History and folklore of included locations add detail for the visitor and lend additional flair.
When not cruising the local waters, Claiborne Young resides in Snow Camp, North Carolina, with his family and edits the on-line cruising newsletter The Salty Southeast.