Yacht Log Book

[Norman_E]

I looked at log books at LIBS, but could not decide whoch to buy. None of the ones I saw seemed quite right. One cuising log had space to record what you saw but no columns for time, barometric pressure, wind speed, position, course etc.
I thought I might print my own, so what columns should I include, apart from the above? All suggestions or photos of layouts welcomed.

 

[philip_stevens]

The log book I most liked was the Sowester sailing log book - but alas, no longer available since the demise of Sowester/?.

I made out my own log sheets with a program a few years ago, but this refuses to work under XP, so all I can do is scan/copy them to put into a loose leaf folder. Not the best, but caters for my need.

I'm still trying to do it with Word - not suceeding so far.

 

[Poignard]

Have you had a look at :-
"LOGBOOK, for cruising under sail" by John Mellor and published by Fernhurst Books/
It's the best one I've found. Columns for navigational data and weather plus plenty of space for Remarks. You can get it in hard or soft back.

 

[Sea Devil]

I think the requirements of a log book vary depending on what voyaging you are doing at that moment. I buy an A4 size book with hard covers about an inch thick and draw lines down the pages.
When just sailing locally it is more a diary when I am off shore it is all about lats and longs and the barometer. I am having my last two covered in a nice leather finish so I can put them on the bookshelf and my children can bin them when I snuff it!

 

[Gin]

I got mine from here, and they say they are made by disabled folk and some proceeds go to charity.

Good product and quick delivery just as advertised

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gold-Embossed-Pers...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Guest]

Re: Yacht Log Book ..... simple answer !

What is neede is a set of pages that are bound and also logically ordered. As each boat and trip are different - the page set-up can vary. What book can do this ?

Simple answer : Page a Day Diary. If you really want to be fancy ... a set of Letraset rub down letters in Gold and put Yacht name / year etc. on spine and keep them on shelf looking nice as archive later.
I find a narrative better than set columns - as many items are not needed or relevant to many cruises / trips. If you need set columns - simple ... draw them for the Days you need.
Write in ink and it becomes an acceptable document

 

[SilverBreeze]

Glenans Irish Sailing Club developed a boat's logbook many years ago and annually printed and sold dozen's of copies to Club members. It is now available free online at this link: click here.

You can make your own logbook easily, just needs a trip to local copy shop.

 

[Parsonsheath]

Really good, thank you.

Will insert a weather map a little more useful for UK east coast, and it will be somewhat better than the one I have!

 

[jon]

Also Roger Oliver's excellent log: http://homepages.rya-online.net/oliver/

 

[webcraft]

You can download the one we have used for the last three years HERE if you like

- Nick

 

[Dyflin]

Lots of goodies here, many thanks for this one!

Have also used the Glenans one, very helpful for Irish waters.

 

[Norman_E]

Than you, and to everyone else who replied. I am going to make my own, based on the Glenans log.

 

[LORDNELSON]

I have managed to obtain a log book that is the same as the old Sowester one. It is just called "Yacht Log Book" obtained one three years ago in the Channel Islands and two last year in the West Country, both at chandlers but I cannot remember where.

 

[jeremyshaw]

I much prefer to do my own, having tried several books. I just use a Word template.

I like to record:
PER SHEET
=======
DATE
From To
LT = UT +/-
CREW
START POSITION
END POSITION

ENGINE HOURS Brought Forward/Actual
FUEL ON/CLOSING FUEL

PER OBSERVATION
============
LOCAL TIME
POSITION
CRS STRD
COG
TRIP
REVS PRT
REVS STBD
LOG SPEED
SPEED OVER GRND
WIND DIR
WIND FORCE
VSIBILITY
SEA STATE
CLD CVER
BAR
HUMIDITY%
EXT TEMP
VOLTS

If I'm just coastal hopping I'll use a row for each day, for overnights etc. we do 'proper' logging. Happy to email you a copy if you want. It's more info than you need, but I find putting things like VOLTS makes less experienced crew keep an eye on the battery state which they might not think abou othersie. It's all in a table so takes a bit of setting up - you can tweak it to your own tastes.

Best wishes

 

[peterb]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm still trying to do it with Word - not suceeding so far.

[/ QUOTE ]

The CA logbook was originally done in Word, so it is possible. The problem is that most printer inks are water-soluble. Get it printed on a laser printer.