Keeping a Log

[Malcb]

Re: Keping a Log

I always keep a log, even on day sails in the Solent. Engine hours, sailing hours are all recorded. Who's on board, weather forecast and tides etc., at least that means an element of planning etc.

On longer passages, like over 4 hours, say, then the log, especially when going West towards Cornwall, then position and barometer readings are taken hourly, noted and also plotted on paper chart. It helps pass the time and give a structure to the boring passages.

I also take digital photos and print off copies to stick in the log, so that it becomes a memory of the cruises that I have made.

 

[Liz_I]

Re: Keping a Log

Absolutely agree with you. Excuse the flippancy earlier /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Always keep a deck log every 4 hours normaly more frequent if weather is bad, or, obviously if your passages are short.

Position, speed, heading, bearing to waypoint & barometric pressure. There are entries for engine hours, what sails are used and ships seen. At the end of the day a more detailed log is written up. It is, as you say something to look back on in years to come. We've a full set of diaries & logs since buying Junica in '95 and on a winters evening its good to look back.

 

[snooks]

Re: Keping a Log

On our boat, which we've just bought, we inherited a ICS Navtex 4 plus (to give it it's full whistles and bells title, otherwise it's the black navtex thing that spits paper out /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

This takes a NMEA 0183 input, then prints out a "log" (hourly or as frequently as you want to set it) giving Lat and Log, SOG, heading and depth. Which gets plotted and transferred as necessary.

A very handy bit of kit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[HoratioHB]

Re: Keping a Log

Think the original post is more of an RN thing. When I was in the Grey Funnel Line we obviously kept quite detailed logs and they had to be in pencil - not sure why as you could always rub something out in case of court martial!!!

Me in my boat - can't be bothered - the chartplotter keeps a track, SWMBO keeps a diary and I BLOG regularly. I have often heard that one reason for logging regular positions was so that you had a datum to work from when the fog/vis came down. With modern systems that seems a complete waste of time now - I have 3 seperate GPS systems instead (charplotter plus two hand helds).

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Re: Keping a Log

[ QUOTE ]
I always keep a log, even on day sails in the Solent.
___________________________________________________

You're kidding .... right?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Blue5]

[ QUOTE ]
Not arguing - as I keep one for archive purposes ... but interested why you (NDH) consider it "Good Practice". What advantage do you get ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well apart from knowing my position at the last entry if everything fails I consider that if I keep it up to date it becomes second nature to complete, like it or not we all do a passage plan if its only a cursory glance at the weather and then tides so why not write it down, I was taught very early in my aviation career that if it all hits the fan can you justify your actions at the board of enquiry. IMHO a well kept log at least can be presented as evidence that you are taking your resposibilty for boat and crew seriously. The "advantage" is peace of mind.

And yes its great to look back for archive purposes

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
...especially if they involve insurance claims...

[/ QUOTE ]
I have only ever had one claim on my insurance, but the question of whether I kept a log or not was never raised. Has anyone else ever been asked?

 

[Daedelus]

Always keep a log. Deck log is scrawled in pencil at the time and hourly update of position (not for a wander round the Solent or such, where "off Gilkicker" or "misssed Bramble Bank" suffices.

However, I do add a few bits and pieces which serve as a reminder of great days out (and a few **** awful ones).

Reread an older one the other day and came across the term "Sucker's gap" - anyone care to hazard a guess? Encountered it in Cherbourg, but could have been anywhere.

 

[Blue5]

[ QUOTE ]
"Sucker's gap" - anyone care to hazard a guess? Encountered it in Cherbourg, but could have been anywhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well in aviation used to describe the area immediately behind a cold front when a short period of calm occurs, clear skies and light winds

 

[Rum_Pirate]

When you sell your vessel will you keep the Log Book or do you hand it over with the vessel?

 

[tudorsailor]

I always make an hourly log and plot position. If nothing else something to do on longer passages. I am still evolving the log's format and print it out for a loose leaf folder. I have yet to find a printed log that has what I want.
I understood that it is good practice not to rely on electronics even with back-up systems.
What do people record on their home made logs?

Tudorsailor

 

[Malcb]

Re: Keping a Log

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I always keep a log, even on day sails in the Solent.
___________________________________________________

You're kidding .... right?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No I'm not kidding. The boat goes out and a record is made of the trip. bear in mind for me to get to Chichester Bar is about 1.5 hours motoring, so that's 3 hours there and back, so I need to record the engine hours at least

 

[fireball]

Re: Keping a Log

we do daily records of jaunts around the solent ... just engine hours, distances and who is onboard ... oh - also log in when how much and qty of fuel fill and when the gas bottle is changed ...

 

[Liz_I]

Keep it of course.!

 

[HoratioHB]

Suckers gap - Aviation speak for that 'clearance' in the weather that suckers you into getting airborne/seaborne and then closes up and makes life interesting.