Solent sailer
Well-Known Member
Does anyone use any of the log book apps, it would be good to have an app running so I could transfer the missing log entries. Keeps things tidy and might make my entries more regular rather than when I remember!
Sailing log app
- Thread starter Solent sailer
- Start date
ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
OpenCPN has a fairly decent function
As there is no need to have a log on a non-commercial UK craft, everyone's requirements vary.
So.. what are you wanting to actually log... And how. Some might argue the purpose of the log on paper is so that when the electronics fail you know where you are. Others will say it's to show the border force cutter where you've been (or where you claim you've been!?)
Others it's their sailing blog for family to follow.
As there is no need to have a log on a non-commercial UK craft, everyone's requirements vary.
So.. what are you wanting to actually log... And how. Some might argue the purpose of the log on paper is so that when the electronics fail you know where you are. Others will say it's to show the border force cutter where you've been (or where you claim you've been!?)
Others it's their sailing blog for family to follow.
Solent sailer
Well-Known Member
Seem to be having problems replying on the tablet today!
Anyway, I tried open-cpn but couldn't see how to create a log? (Using the app on a android tablet) I agree it isn't a legal requirement but I like a backup to the electrics and still practice going back to the paper from the backup in the log from time to time. We also like the record of where we have been and refer back on occasions, especially for anchorages/places we have dried out.
Non commercial you don't need life jackets, life raft, radio, flares, training, insurance (except in harbours) but we still have these, it just seems good practice.
Anyway, I tried open-cpn but couldn't see how to create a log? (Using the app on a android tablet) I agree it isn't a legal requirement but I like a backup to the electrics and still practice going back to the paper from the backup in the log from time to time. We also like the record of where we have been and refer back on occasions, especially for anchorages/places we have dried out.
Non commercial you don't need life jackets, life raft, radio, flares, training, insurance (except in harbours) but we still have these, it just seems good practice.
GHA
Well-Known Member
The logbook plugin hasn't been ported over to android yet. Might be soon hopefully. Works well on a laptop, auto inserts various nmea data. I use it every trip often just with an anchor up/anchor down entry. Quicker than digging out the big fat schoolbook paper log which gets updated once in a while.
Not much use to you though if you only have a tablet onboard
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:plugins:logs:logbook
ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
The logbook plugin hasn't been ported over to android yet. Might be soon hopefully. Works well on a laptop, auto inserts various nmea data. I use it every trip often just with an anchor up/anchor down entry. Quicker than digging out the big fat schoolbook paper log which gets updated once in a while.
Not much use to you though if you only have a tablet onboard
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=opencpn:opencpn_user_manual:plugins:logs:logbook
Mmm. Porting may not actually be that easy. It's using external programs to edit the files... Not 100% sure it would need to, but it probably adds to complexity of porting.
But it does give an exceptional level of what could be logged if you want to.
There are a couple of apps out there that do some of this separately. No idea how well they run alongside other things using GPS etc.
The advantage of paper is it survives power failure. If you sail in areas with mobile coverage - something that can sync data to "the cloud" but doesn't rely on the cloud to function makes sense. Download the data on your phone when the tablet just got dropped in the bilges... ? Not sure that's needed for the instant navigation requirements... Your phone can take over the "where am I" bit.. it's the other bits like engine hours, filter changes etc that probably are useful and in 5 years time when someone says "do you remember sailing out of **** " and you want to relive the moment / argue about some fact like who was onboard!
GHA
Well-Known Member
Just need external progs if you want to edit the templates, day to day don't think it needs them. Though the guy doing the porting didn't write the logbook plugin so might not be ported for a while if at all.
The plugin will export the log as a web html file as well to stick up in dropbox/drive and relive that lovely passage afterwards with the saved track to look at if you want to. Really useful plugin.
