I just purchased a boat and I have begun learning to sail. I want to keep a log of my sails. Being a web programmer I want to make a website to record my experiences. I already have a Blog, but I want to start recording specific information about each sail. I was thinking Temp, Humidity, General description of weather, wave height, wind speed, wind direction, place to write a 'story' about the sail, a way to attach photos, and a place to post GPS track data. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. This is going to be my winter project. Thanks, Jeremy
Keeping a log...
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Keep a Log Book
on your boat. Make an entry for each maintenance item along with date and hours on the engine. In the future you will always be wanting to know the last time you changed the oil or replaced the batteries or pumped out, etc. The sails makes nice reading, but they aren't whats important.
on your boat. Make an entry for each maintenance item along with date and hours on the engine. In the future you will always be wanting to know the last time you changed the oil or replaced the batteries or pumped out, etc. The sails makes nice reading, but they aren't whats important.
Keep a Log
I have been keeping a log since 1987. I log in time, temp, humidity, wind speed and direction, where I sail, Sails used, names of Crew and passengers and sign off at the end of the cruise. I feel if anything ever happens where I need verification I'll have it. Besides if I only log in when an accident should occur, it might not be considered creditable. It's also nice to look back and remember exceptionly good sails. I also log any work items on the boat.
I have been keeping a log since 1987. I log in time, temp, humidity, wind speed and direction, where I sail, Sails used, names of Crew and passengers and sign off at the end of the cruise. I feel if anything ever happens where I need verification I'll have it. Besides if I only log in when an accident should occur, it might not be considered creditable. It's also nice to look back and remember exceptionly good sails. I also log any work items on the boat.
Log Sheet
Jeremy, send me your e-mail address and I'll send you the log sheet I created and have been using this year on my H34. I'm in the Hunter directory.
Jeremy, send me your e-mail address and I'll send you the log sheet I created and have been using this year on my H34. I'm in the Hunter directory.
Our Log(s)
We have kept a hand written sailing log for many years on our boats. We use nice quality blank notebooks/journals from a bookstore. My wife or I record all of the things that we did on a particular trip or sail that made it a great time on the water. I tend to record the wind speed and direction and other weather facts, the set of the sails and other such boat details but we also add notes about what we saw and did, the sunset, a particularly nice lunch or dinner, dumb mistakes, guests, etc. We often clip in photos and other artifacts from the day. It has been our pleasure to revisit our log books during the winter and reminisce about our travels under sail. We also keep a separate maintenance log and a running "to do" list on our computer because in an easier format to look things up and regularly check.
We have kept a hand written sailing log for many years on our boats. We use nice quality blank notebooks/journals from a bookstore. My wife or I record all of the things that we did on a particular trip or sail that made it a great time on the water. I tend to record the wind speed and direction and other weather facts, the set of the sails and other such boat details but we also add notes about what we saw and did, the sunset, a particularly nice lunch or dinner, dumb mistakes, guests, etc. We often clip in photos and other artifacts from the day. It has been our pleasure to revisit our log books during the winter and reminisce about our travels under sail. We also keep a separate maintenance log and a running "to do" list on our computer because in an easier format to look things up and regularly check.
Captain's Log
I keep a detailed log of every cruise, remember to include what/who works and what doesn't. Speed, current, passage time, wind, ect. Also include important numbers, vhf channels to hail launches, marina's, hazards, best route, observations. The sailing world is actually a small world, I've written down names of people and their boats, It's strange how you'll run into the same boats/people throughout your cruising grounds.
I keep a detailed log of every cruise, remember to include what/who works and what doesn't. Speed, current, passage time, wind, ect. Also include important numbers, vhf channels to hail launches, marina's, hazards, best route, observations. The sailing world is actually a small world, I've written down names of people and their boats, It's strange how you'll run into the same boats/people throughout your cruising grounds.
Nice picture, it is surprising how you often
meet with other boats in different ports and not something most of us think to record. I keep seeing these guys.
meet with other boats in different ports and not something most of us think to record. I keep seeing these guys.
Any software-based logs out there?
I've been contemplating doing one - don't feel like re-inventing the wheel. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I've been contemplating doing one - don't feel like re-inventing the wheel. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
ozi explorer
I use a program called Ozi explorer to download my GPS track to. (see pic) I then use the screen capture feature of any popular graphics program, then paste it into my word processer file which has a running log containing most of the items mentioned in other posts. In addition, I do have a standard format for data the I keep track of such as Total Distance 12.3 nm Trip Time 2:57 although the GPS was left on a good half hour after we docked Max Speed undetermined over 9.1 knots Average Speed 4.2 knots (8 kph) Wind S20 I used to keep a separate maintenance log but now I combine the two.
I use a program called Ozi explorer to download my GPS track to. (see pic) I then use the screen capture feature of any popular graphics program, then paste it into my word processer file which has a running log containing most of the items mentioned in other posts. In addition, I do have a standard format for data the I keep track of such as Total Distance 12.3 nm Trip Time 2:57 although the GPS was left on a good half hour after we docked Max Speed undetermined over 9.1 knots Average Speed 4.2 knots (8 kph) Wind S20 I used to keep a separate maintenance log but now I combine the two.
I tried a program called "Captain's Log"
from www.vmgsoftware.com which will give you a free 30 day trial. It's a database program that's great at tracking expenses etc. but I didn't like that it treated each day as a separate voyage which seemed to make it disjointed for multi-day cruises.
from www.vmgsoftware.com which will give you a free 30 day trial. It's a database program that's great at tracking expenses etc. but I didn't like that it treated each day as a separate voyage which seemed to make it disjointed for multi-day cruises.
I used to do that.....
but I got over it. Keep a record of things like maintenance, equipment replacement, engine hours, etc. but recording conditions for day sails becomes a tedious waste of time. After a while you'll just look at the weather and decide if you're going out or not. If you want interesting content for your sailing website, record your experiences with boat projects or cruising destinations. Leave out all the info on the GPS trip computer. I like the digital camera... a couple pics of a nice day is all the info you need. Now, that being said about day sailing, maintaining a log when cruising is different. For an extended cruise, a log entry at regular intervals is a normal part of your day. Logging weather, sea conditions, sail changes etc. at each watch change is important information. Many long distance cruisers find a daily log entry is all that's necessary.
but I got over it. Keep a record of things like maintenance, equipment replacement, engine hours, etc. but recording conditions for day sails becomes a tedious waste of time. After a while you'll just look at the weather and decide if you're going out or not. If you want interesting content for your sailing website, record your experiences with boat projects or cruising destinations. Leave out all the info on the GPS trip computer. I like the digital camera... a couple pics of a nice day is all the info you need. Now, that being said about day sailing, maintaining a log when cruising is different. For an extended cruise, a log entry at regular intervals is a normal part of your day. Logging weather, sea conditions, sail changes etc. at each watch change is important information. Many long distance cruisers find a daily log entry is all that's necessary.
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