mrtreeboy222
Active Member
hi guys, as the title says, my logbook is due for renewal. I only do sailing, none of this motor boating nonsense.
So which one would be best?
Cheers, treeboy
So which one would be best?
Cheers, treeboy
best logbook
- Thread starter mrtreeboy222
- Start date
[70521]
Well-Known Member
I use a A4 book with a few lines drawn in it.
I wont mention the notes about the coffee making skills of the crew
I wont mention the notes about the coffee making skills of the crew
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
A4 diary from Staples - records day to day doings as well as logging movement.
VicS
Well-Known Member
As above.
A hard covered notebook.
Rule up the pages in columns for the information you want to record.
Leave space for any notes etc.
A hard covered notebook.
Rule up the pages in columns for the information you want to record.
Leave space for any notes etc.
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Shockingly the cost is about the same for a "proper" logbook when compared to an equivelant quality notebook so I would take a look in the chandlers and choose one you like that has the columns already in it 
VicS
Well-Known Member
Shockingly the cost is about the same for a "proper" logbook when compared to an equivelant quality notebook so I would take a look in the chandlers and choose one you like that has the columns already in it
I think you'll get an ordinary hardcovered notebook from a highstreet store a lot cheaper than a "proper" log book.
I'm finding £4-£5 vs about £15.
Anyway nobody was suggesting actually buying a note book.
If they are not in the office stationary cupboard its time they were!
( Make sure there are some 2B pencils in there too)
nevis
Well-Known Member
I was browsing in the Ullapool bookshop in 2010 and i came across a delightful hardback logbook.
its called the Islander Yacht Log Book with a cover picture of Yachts off Cumbrae with the Isle of Arran in the background and the sea areas in the back cover, inside there is other useful info, I dont know if its still produced but the email address is
info@islandergraphics.co.uk
its called the Islander Yacht Log Book with a cover picture of Yachts off Cumbrae with the Isle of Arran in the background and the sea areas in the back cover, inside there is other useful info, I dont know if its still produced but the email address is
info@islandergraphics.co.uk
doug748
Well-Known Member
I like the Imray one shown here:
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=log-books
You only need to buy the cover once (about 10quid with refill to start you off) and the refills every 3 seasons or so (3 or 4 quid). One page is lined to use as you wish the opposite is blank, which is great for jotting tide times, forecasts etc. Makes a good birthday present if you can't bear to spend your own money.
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=log-books
You only need to buy the cover once (about 10quid with refill to start you off) and the refills every 3 seasons or so (3 or 4 quid). One page is lined to use as you wish the opposite is blank, which is great for jotting tide times, forecasts etc. Makes a good birthday present if you can't bear to spend your own money.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
In the pre-digital days we always used to glue a relevant photograph to the blank page after the cruise. They are now great fun to browse through as you see a picture to accompany the entries, especially the happy looking ones taken when leaving harbour opposite an increasingly smudged page of entries of the horrors that followed.
Stu Jackson
Well-Known Member
In 1987 we found a log book by John Rousmanier (sp?) which worked wonderfully for us for many, many years. The layout was great, it had ring binding so it opened up much better than a hard covered one, and had good information. Over the years we had six of them. They are now out of print, and looking around on the internet found new ones for $145 eek for what used to be a $16 book, plus USED ones. A used log book is fine if it's mine, but someone else's???
We're now using a hard covered one someone gave us as a holiday present. It's usable, but I sure don't like it as much as the old ones. Since I'm getting used to the layout, I've found soft covered ones with the same layout and will probably buy a few of them - before they, too, go out of print.
We used to use just a regular notebook, but found its pages to be too thin for writing on both sides.
We do, however, keep a completely separate maintenance log. I made up a pre-ruled log with a spreadsheet, and it's kept in a ring binder on the boat. It has spaces for dates, engine hours and room for all the stuff needed as well as "look-aheads" for the next time filters, zincs and coupling bolts need replacing or to be checked. And page numbers. I also record "tips & tricks" for doing things. Once filled out, I take them home, scan them in, and print out a copy for the boat and leave the originals at home. Good record keeping is essential for good maintenance. Not that I'm ever selling the boat, but I've heard it's good for resale value, too.
I only do it 'cuz I know I won't remember everything...
eek for what used to be a $16 book, plus USED ones. A used log book is fine if it's mine, but someone else's???We're now using a hard covered one someone gave us as a holiday present. It's usable, but I sure don't like it as much as the old ones. Since I'm getting used to the layout, I've found soft covered ones with the same layout and will probably buy a few of them - before they, too, go out of print.
We used to use just a regular notebook, but found its pages to be too thin for writing on both sides.
We do, however, keep a completely separate maintenance log. I made up a pre-ruled log with a spreadsheet, and it's kept in a ring binder on the boat. It has spaces for dates, engine hours and room for all the stuff needed as well as "look-aheads" for the next time filters, zincs and coupling bolts need replacing or to be checked. And page numbers. I also record "tips & tricks" for doing things. Once filled out, I take them home, scan them in, and print out a copy for the boat and leave the originals at home. Good record keeping is essential for good maintenance. Not that I'm ever selling the boat, but I've heard it's good for resale value, too.
I only do it 'cuz I know I won't remember everything...
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
Since 1994 I have used photocopied log pages written in Powerpoint. There are 7 columns on the left page, a single one on the right for text. As a footer there are spaces for daily inputs, like HW Dover, baro pressure, forecast. The pages are bound in a comb binder with a cover showing a nice photo from the previous year. I still have every one, alongside me right now.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Don't use a book - they're all too vague, so I use a computer with a pre-set table. Recorded are Time, Long/Lat, course (made good and mag), wind speed&direction, tidal stream, log-reading, tack, barometer, radio log and notes.
In fact, being of a certain age, when memory becomes fallible, the log has extended from on the boat to being in daily use - but then I spend half my time on boat the remainder in extreme discomfort and penury ashore.
It has repeatedly been useful in refuting bank and bureaucratic attempts to mislead.
In fact, being of a certain age, when memory becomes fallible, the log has extended from on the boat to being in daily use - but then I spend half my time on boat the remainder in extreme discomfort and penury ashore.
It has repeatedly been useful in refuting bank and bureaucratic attempts to mislead.
prv
Well-Known Member
Yep!
I don't bother with a navigational log - most of my sailing is line-of-sight pottering, and when it isn't I mark fixes with time, course and log reading directly on the chart.
The engine log, however, is always filled in with date and hours whenever anything mechanical is tweaked, refilled, cleaned or replaced.
Pete
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I made my own on the pc. Fits on 2 sides of A4 paper so that you use it like an open book.
Not the best of pictures, etc.
Not the best of pictures, etc.
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Frankie-H
Well-Known Member
How can a log book be too vague? It only has the information you have put in it. Sorry to be so naive but I must be missing something.
prv
Well-Known Member
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
As others I made my own. I use a Filofax size
Cymrogwyllt
Well-Known Member
was told I needed a logbook for bcu inland/sea quals. (4* both) Neither asked to see them when I did my quals. Practical was all that mattered. Long may it remain so.
laika
Well-Known Member
This time round I used a cheap exercise book rather than one of those fancy purpose-made log books with columns I don't want and without ones that I do.
Next time round I'll get something with paper which can withstand being dripped over while filling it in, like my last fancy purpose-made one...
Next time round I'll get something with paper which can withstand being dripped over while filling it in, like my last fancy purpose-made one...
Robin
Well-Known Member
Anyone using the free OpenCPN navigation software on board might like the plug-in 'Konni' log book which automatically records position, CMG SMG between time periods which you chose, data from GPS. If you have other instruments connected it will also record wind data, depths, boatspeed, even engine hours and oil pressure readings if these are on the network. It can be customised easily and has separate sections for maintenance records and crew lists, plus you can add commentary and even pictures as well as print it out in full, in part or as a book! All of this is completely free to download and it will be running for sure on our new boat cruises.
Otherwise I used 'deck log' pages printed up to my own spreadsheet layout for rough data, plus what used to be the Souwester Marine log book for the pure ships log, filled in later more neatly from the deck log notes taken. I had a separate 'narrative' log written up every day in a ruled hardback exercise book, with one page for text and the other for pictures, postcards, restaurant receipts and the like for future reference.
Otherwise I used 'deck log' pages printed up to my own spreadsheet layout for rough data, plus what used to be the Souwester Marine log book for the pure ships log, filled in later more neatly from the deck log notes taken. I had a separate 'narrative' log written up every day in a ruled hardback exercise book, with one page for text and the other for pictures, postcards, restaurant receipts and the like for future reference.
