Do you keep a log book?

[prv]

Here's a more interesting question, I think.

This thread shows lots of people using their logs in "write mode" - recording information into them whether that's hourly nav datapoints or daily ramblings about "family crises"

How many people use their vessel logs in "read mode" - going back to extract information from it later, whether that's hours, days, or years - and for what purpose?

I can think of a few, but I'm curious, because this recurring thread always seems to focus - as it has this time - exclusively on the "write mode" side of things.

Pete

 

[Graham376]

SWMBO keeps a basic log - date, departure time, where to, arrival time, miles, engine hours etc. Yes we do look back on it, usually to get an idea of time taken for some passages and when last in a place.

 

[westhinder]

Every day sailed is logged, but entries vary between day sails, in which case mostly just log readings at departure and arrival, crew aboard, engine hours and perhaps a note if something noteworthy happened, and longer passages when an hourly entry is made of position, log, speed, wind and weather and anything noteworthy.
Do I often consult it afterwards? No, not really, only to check wether my memory is correct. I hesitate to say it, but I seldom forget details of the harbours we have visited and the trips we have made.

 

[alan_d]

Here's a more interesting question, I think.

This thread shows lots of people using their logs in "write mode" - recording information into them whether that's hourly nav datapoints or daily ramblings about "family crises"

How many people use their vessel logs in "read mode" - going back to extract information from it later, whether that's hours, days, or years - and for what purpose?

I can think of a few, but I'm curious, because this recurring thread always seems to focus - as it has this time - exclusively on the "write mode" side of things.

Pete

I don't fill in my log if I am just pottering about for half a day, but on longer trips I make an hourly record under the headings of DATE/TIME, LOG, SPEED, COURSE, POSITION, WIND, BARO and REMARKS.

As to what I use it for, it is a record of distance travelled and engine hours (entered under REMARKS) and I use it to remind myself of events in the past. Most recently I referred to it before contributing to the Have You Ever Turned Back? thread on here.

 

[mil1194]

In March when we started MOBOing again I was insistent that we would have a log of very trip, this didn’t happen - not even once.

Sold that one and just bought another and I am insistent that we will keep a log of every trip....I really mean it this time,

 

[Gary Fox]

As well as strict-ish logbook-keeping if I have crew, I keep a log on the chart. It's often very useful and informative the next time I sail in that area, and jogs the memory in a way that book entries can't.

It may be a subject for another thread, but I always write on my charts in soft pencil, with notes, courses, when the tide turns, rough and smooth bits of sea, my waypoints with coordinates, doodles of sea monsters and mermaids; it's a pictorial log book, personal pilot guide, aide-memoire and travelogue, all on a sheet of paper.

The neatness, or otherwise. of the handwriting, and presence of rips, divider piercings, and coffee, seawater, blood or wine stains are a physical reminder of the previous trip.

I don't understand people who make tiny, illegible lines on their charts and are almost scared to handle them physically, or fold them other than as supplied. Even if you just do RYA style course plotting, it's dangerous to draw nearly invisible lines, WPTs etc.
The charts are yours, don't be nervous of using them. I have often brought my own charts to courses and deliveries etc, so I can actually use them as I see fit, without triggering somebody's OCD/anal retentive complex..

 

[Uricanejack]

Here's a more interesting question, I think.

This thread shows lots of people using their logs in "write mode" - recording information into them whether that's hourly nav datapoints or daily ramblings about "family crises"

How many people use their vessel logs in "read mode" - going back to extract information from it later, whether that's hours, days, or years - and for what purpose?

I can think of a few, but I'm curious, because this recurring thread always seems to focus - as it has this time - exclusively on the "write mode" side of things.

Pete

It has turned out to be a quite helpful on a couple of occasions.
Particularly I bought both my boats in the US and delivered them home myself.
later when I went to register in Canada. I got a tax bill, problem solved very quickly photo of page in log book with record of entry and tax paid.
No further question
Next boat questions by border patrol, boat still US registered but owned by me. log book again, arrived declared ect on problem solved.

Other than that just personal interest.
Where were we and who was with us when. Got a discount at a marina as repeat customer.
So.
Mostly personal interest.

occasionally I get the urge to be a bit more official, if something comes up.
I have entered spilt a few drops of diesel. Reported to USCG, Never heard another word.
I have logged and reported oil observed in water a couple of times. Never heard another word.
Certain old habits and CYA.
Never needed to refer to it later but it is there if required.

 

[Uricanejack]

It was my understanding that they (commercial) couldn’t be loose leaf. My last company was and it was never raised in inspections

I had at least one page removed from loose leaf folder as they didn’t like my remarks.

Obviously makes it easy for renewal of licences too.

In the UK I expected hourly position reports along with wind and tide details on passage in case the proverbial hit the fan plus a physical paper plot on the chart. I was considered a dinosaur but it was how I was taught and if you’re my crew you do what I ask on watch.

PW.
[/QUOTE


Gone electronic now, Most traditional routine entries done automatically. Kind of weird.

 

[Skylark]

Log keeping is a pleasurable part of cruising. In addition to navigational info, pretty much any narrative is fair game. Generally, legibility is proportional to sea state.

My logging frequency varies from a fairly disciplined hourly, two hourly or 6 hourly, depending upon planned distance, to “from time to time” when pootling about aimlessly.

Quite a pleasant activity to read back over winter. I’ve also logged every dive that I’ve ever made, muddy puddle to Great Barrier Reef.

Some embarrassments, some treasured memories.

 

[Frank Holden]

It was my understanding that they (commercial) couldn’t be loose leaf. My last company was and it was never raised in inspections

I had at least one page removed from loose leaf folder as they didn’t like my remarks.

Obviously makes it easy for renewal of licences too.

In the UK I expected hourly position reports along with wind and tide details on passage in case the proverbial hit the fan plus a physical paper plot on the chart. I was considered a dinosaur but it was how I was taught and if you’re my crew you do what I ask on watch.

PW.

Ah... they didn't like your remarks ? Reminds me of....

One day the Captain writes in the remarks section.. 'mate was drunk today' and initials the entry...

The mate reads this the following day and questions the master....
'Well, its true, you were drunk'.... sez the captain..
Mate stews over this for a few days... what to do?

And then the old man opens the log to sign it...

And there the mate has writ.... 'The captain was sober today'.......

 

[Frank Holden]

I keep a log in a spiral bound A4 book thingo.... when aboard I make an entry every day whether in port or out and about.
On passage its simply noon position, baro, wx summary ( unless something 'interesting' has occured which will get in the narrative), days run, TD, DTG, AS, TAS, Engine Hours, ...

Coastal much the same except that will include what movie was watched and what dins was.... plus time left anchorage and time anchored.

Plus details when filling fuel ... typicaly works out 2.x litres an hour ... and topping potable water... days/consumption = daily rate....

 

[pyrojames]

I keep two logs, the one for passages and general mucking about. This has course info etc for passages and general descriptions of activities, anchorages and people for day or weekend sailing. The second is a maintenance log, with monthly inspection routines, servicing and replacement/repair information and refit details. That is in electronic form and filled in roughly monthly.

I also have about 30 years of my logs at home with all the details of people, passages and day sails. I used to haul them out and read them occasionally to see what I was doing on the day x number of years ago.

 

[Portland Billy]

I can't be arsed with keeping a detailed log book.
But do a loose leaf passage plan for sea voyages to which I add notes as we progress.

 

[xyachtdave]

I did briefly keep a logbook but trying to write something vaguely interested about each weekends pottering became a chore.

What I do wish I’d done is kept a proper maintenance log, part numbers, dates items replaced etc.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Much the same as Pyrojames #32 I have 'The Log Book' which I use for longer passages, and a general 'Log/Note Book' to keep a record of boat things I may need to sort out later, such as running out of fuel for cooker so need to buy some etc.
I rarely use 'The Log Book' for short trips unless something exceptional occurs.

 

[38mess]

Yes..as a commercial operation we are required to do so by law.

 

[Never Grumble]

What do you do?

I keep a log its an old habit from my navy days. But then you knew that

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Yes. Fairly basic, wind, direction, weather, miles sailed/motored etc .

I also keep cumulative as I go miles travelled that season . I don't really know why I do this but perhaps it reminds
me to make more time for sailing.

 

[Daydream believer]

Not only do I keep a log, but I have sheets that give the hourly tidal flows relative to HW dover at various points on the routes. then on these sheets I plot best departure/arrival times. I keep these sheets going back 20 years to save me re compiling them. So any trip I do round Uk or X channel I just select the relevant sheet & can see at a glance when I have to leave /arrive for best tide. I also write notes on them as to how effective a trip was. I have covered most places that i am likely to go to again so they save time with passage planning.. Just line the sheets up for a cruise along , say, the french coast to the CIs & know immediately when I have to leave/arrive at destination.

 

[duncan99210]

We keep a log when we’re on board. Covers the usual departure point, heading for (that’s the SOLAS passage plan but done) then hourly or so position, course, speed notes. Also captures engine hours which we use to decide when to service the engine and refuel. Brief narrative notes about where we were, who was on board and the like. Also record repairs and replacements, engine servicing etc.
Over the years they’ve resolved a number of disputes about times, dates and places. Also where we‘ve encountered a difficult official or problematic harbour entrance or whatever, we note that as well.
In addition to all that, the Admiral usually keeps a journal which makes for an entertaining winter read.