DIY log book: any thoughts?

[FinesseChris]

Startled by the price and unimpressed by the quality of printed, off-the-shelf log books, I have decided to design my own on the computer, to be printed out and used in a loose-leaf binder.

Up to now my 'log' has been a stream of scribbled notes in a blank notebook, but contemplating longer coastal passages, and chastened by reading the books, I have decided to reform.

The question is, what should a log contain? Tom Cunliffe, in his yachtmaster book, suggests columns headed Time, Log, Course, Weather, Event and Engine Hours. But looking at the 'proper' books in a bookshop, they seemed to contain rather more columns.

Anyone care to suggest what else I need to allow space for?

Thanks

Chris

 

[fireball]

location!! ... comments ... sea state (included in weather?) ... erm - as your doing your own - have a look at your scribbled notes and see what you've included...

 

[Das_Boot]

You cant just start writing on thin air you need to make the book first. This will require you to learn paper making skills, book binding skills, printing skills etc. Even with this forums broad spectrum of knowledge I doubt if they could help.
Maybe you could start by just buying a blank book and so circumventing that part of the DIY. You could then invest in a ruler and a good pen.

 

[snowleopard]

The commercial books contain loads of stuff to make them look good value.

Assuming you're using GPS, what you need is enough information to tell you where you were before the GPS packed up and where you went since then.

I suggest: Time, lat/long, course, log, speed.

Add a bit for comments to suit you're style, a page heading with Start/destination and tide times.

I find it saves hassle and waste paper if the time column isn't pre-printed. I add entries when I remember, on change of course, less frequently offshore etc.

A barometer column helps spot trends and wind speed/direction helps allow for leeway and aids future bragging.

 

[Viking]

I've created my own log page which I print off blanks from the computer. Fill them out on route. Then type in a full account on my return.
That way I have adjusted size, type of info (to include or exclude) over time.
I keep a hard copy on aboard and have a back-up on the computer. That way I can include any pictures, fun or information, navigational, port/harbours etc. for future reference.

 

[Bottle_of_Rum]

To print a few pages from Word Or Excel and stick em in a folder or get them spirral bound is hardly beyond the abilities of most people!!!!

 

[Joe_Cole]

[ QUOTE ]
and aids future bragging.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very good! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Evadne]

I don't bother with engine hours, the engine gets the same care and attention regardless of how many hours its done in a season.
I do put wind and weather in seperate columns.
You always need more space for comments than they give you on one line, especially if you're recording a fix (hand-bearing compass type).
The heading of date, where from, where at and destination get used as well.

The blank bit on the back of the previous page is used for recording:
Forecast, times of LW/HW and foul or fair stream, in other words the formal bit of the passage plan.
Other vital archive data like the berth alocated by marina control before I forget it, and how much it costs. And how good the pub was.

Don't forget a space for page numbers for when you drop the folder on a windy day and it springs open.
If you find out where to get waterproof paper (and ink) for your inkjet from, let me know!

 

[StugeronSteve]

Yep, all I ever seem to use the engine hours for is checking fuel consumption. Engine gets it's tlc well before the specified running time. It rarely gets enough use to clock the hours up.

 

[steve_cronin]

For Med. use....

blocks and columns of tidal stream info are just a waste of space so the traditional "Souwester" Logbook is soon filled.

This year at the LIBS I managed to get one without the (in my case) redundant sections.

I'm sure that you can draw something up on a PC and either ring bind it or staple it together.

Steve Cronin

 

[Sailfree]

Its an unfortunate indication of the times we live in but we are meant to always sail with a passage plan. It may be good policy to only use a bound book (necessary if it is ever to be relied on for legal reasons)

I use a lined bound book. Start with Day & Date. Names of people on board. Weather report and source. Relevant tides. Intention. Alternatives (if appropriate). If a spin in the solent I just record leaving time and arrival time and once berthed elapsed Engine Hrs & Log.

If doing any sort of passage after intentions I do calcs for tidal drift (especially when cross channel) and a sketch of intended course with distances and bearings. I then draw some vertical lines and list, time, lat/long, course, speed, & wind dir/speed. I record these every 1hr unless additional event like no wind started engine in remarks column.

On the front page I keep a reminder of all relevant data, draught when laden, air clearance, fuel & water capacity, MMSI no. The last page I keep a summary of journey times - very useful for future passage planning - they are always longer than I remembered!

I tried to design a sheet but because its convenient to write across the page at the start and the space for the passage planning depends on the complexity of the journey I find a pre drawn sheet never suitable for most occassions.

 

[SilverBreeze]

You might like to consider this download and then make your own copy.

 

[paulskent]

With the Belfield tide table software you get a very nice PDF of a Log book which has some pages at the front giving you hints and bouyage reminders etc..

It was a freeby with the software which I would have thought was OK to upload to a net location if anybody wants a copy. I have just printed of 50 of the Log Pages and that will do the job nicely. The log pages have space for all sorts of things like crew names
passage from to
Time
Log Reading
Speed.
Lat/long
Location
Weather details/wind direction/speed/pressure
passage notes.
Port details
Tide times
Next forecast
watch times and who..

 

[jimbouy]

I suspect it would still be covered by copyright. After all it's not on the Belfield web site for downloading.

However, I can agree with you that it's a nice usable Log. And seeing as you can get the plotter for around a tenner..............

Jim

 

[bobfrost]

Hate to be pedantic but:-

'destination' should be 'towards'.

 

[snowleopard]

Quite so. In my book the destination port is under the heading "Towards". Once we have arrived safely I breath a sigh of relief, pour a scotch and cross out "wards". The other acceptable term is "For".

 

[lockwood]

I use a simple excel spreadsheet on my pocket PC.

I have the usual categories: course, speed, weather etc

As the pocket PC has a built in camera, photos can be taken enroute and automatically linked into the log book. The route, is also automatic due to the pocket PC GPS facility.

When I get home, my pocket PC connects via wi-fi to my main PC where it can be uploaded to my online log for family and friends to see.

Isn't technology great!

---- I suppose I should have a written paper based log on board, but I like my gadgets!


UPADATE - Just had a thought, if I wanted to be super techno, I could just dictate my log to my pocket PC, speech to text software could then be used on the home PC to convert to text, before uploading to the website. Woo! I think i'll give it a go.

 

[FinesseChris]

Many thanks to those who added helpful comments on my query. I have one more source to add: the log blanks produced by Roger Oliver whose round-Britain voyages have featured in PBO. See his website http://homepages.rya-online.net/oliver/. Worth a look: after all, he has done it as well as offered an opinion on it.

Cheers

Chris

 

[bedouin]

A bit OT

I would prefer more space for daily info - tides, weather forecasts and so on.

 

[EdEssery]

Great idea - I've been doing it for three seasons.

I started by looking through all my old bought log books and finding the one that worked best for me and then perfecting it. It took a long time when I first set it up. I put some pages in the front with useful telephone numbers, details of the boat and a bunch of useful other stuff. I created a front page with the boat's logo (see avatar) and put a couple of pages in for maintenance notes. I then printed it off and took it to Kall Kwik and had them spiral wire bind it in A4 Landscape format with a clear acetate front cover and a card back cover.

It works great, has precisely the information I need, all sorts of useful stuff that would otherwise be on scraps of paper, lays open flat on the chart table and is the envy of many who visit my boat.

Go for it. Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll happily send you a copy. It's an MS Word document.

Ed