Ship/Maintenance log book

Jan 5, 2021
159
Hunter 41 DS Saint Petersburg
I'm curious as to how people log their time, weather, distance, crew, maintenance, repairs, hours, spare parts...
I'm looking to get a new and more organized way of logging information than a spreadsheet.
Thank you
 

Tom J

.
Sep 30, 2008
2,323
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
I have a log book for maintenance that I update as repairs and regular maintenance are completed. The Admiral keeps the cruise log book with times, places, distances and weather. I bought them 17 years ago when I bought the boat. They are available in most marine supply houses.
 

SFS

.
Aug 18, 2015
2,085
Currently Boatless Okinawa
As someone who has had to keep a LOT of logs in my professional and personal lives, I recommend looking at various options online. Any logbook being sold should have a sample page for you to look at. Use these sample pages as a prompt to determine what info you want to record, and what you don't. Then craft your own "perfect" page in a word processing program, and take it to a print shop on a thumb drive. Have them print as many as you want in a book and bind them for you.

Look at mariner's logs, pilot (aircraft) logs, scuba logs, trucker's logs, taxi logs, dispatch logs of all types, etc. You'll soon get an idea of what works for you and what does not. Having a form ensures you won't leave anything out accidentally, but having YOUR form means you are not paying for a page that asks about stuff you don't care about, like your last pump-out if you have a composting toilet. This seems like a small thing, but every blank that you never make an entry in has taken away a small bit of space on that page that could have been used for that catchall "Comments" section, for cool stuff you saw or did.

This approach also lets you determine the size of the page, and therefore the size of the logbook, which is perfect if you have a special nook where the log is stored. You will likely save money over the long haul too, and the printer should be able to emboss your name and/or the boat's name on the cover of the log, which feels kind of luxurious, IMO.
 
Aug 28, 2006
578
Bavaria 35E seattle
I've tried a few ways over the years but found I prefer my customizing my own. We have a separate log for our cruising destinations and comments from one that is for maintenance and repairs. I stopped logging fuel consumption and fill dates as I've found I do really nothing with those notations. If I sell the boat then I can pass the maintenance log to the new owner and keep our diary of cruise destinations, dates, and comments.
 
May 17, 2004
5,560
Beneteau Oceanis 37 Havre de Grace
I keep a spreadsheet in Google Docs. I find it very convenient to be able to edit and read it from anywhere with my phone or computer. I keep one spreadsheet row for each time I’m at the boat, and I’m a bit of a data nerd so each row has the following columns:
  • Date
  • Times at boat
  • Hours at boat
  • Hours on water
  • Engine hours
  • Sail hours
  • Engine chronometer
  • Miles
  • Maintenance / supplies
  • Weather
  • Crew / guests
  • Comments
I have a new tab for each year, so the rows don’t go on for too long. I also have other tabs for things like an equipment list, Notes for recurring maintenance activities, various measurements, and some graphs of hours and miles by year. Like nightowle if we ever transfer the boat I can just pull out the maintenance and date columns for the new owner.
 

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I have a written log on the boat that includes trips and maintenance/upgrade items also. I also keep a spreadsheet that mirrors the written one for maintenance and upgrades; no trips. Just don't total the spreadsheet or you may pass out.
 

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,293
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Hand written log book kept on the boat at the chart table.

I also use hand written notebook pages for where things are stored. I find it so much faster, easier and all crew members can look at them at any time.

dj
 
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
I have used a spreadsheet with separate workbooks for the different subjects to be tracked or logged which are:
1. Engine service log
2. Upgrade & repair log
3. Items to buy
4. Winterizing work list
5. Launching work list
6. Engine parts list and spare
I keep a hardcopy of these pages in the chart table. As items, issues and ideas come up and things get done during the year, I write them in on the hardcopy. Each Spring, I update the electronic copy with changes, reset the prior year's Winterizing work list for this new year and print a new hardcopy. Each Fall, I update the electronic copy with changes, reset the Launching work list for next year and print a new hardcopy. Works well for me.
 

Attachments

Jan 5, 2021
159
Hunter 41 DS Saint Petersburg
The spreadsheet seems to be the best way for me. I will get my son to set them up, then I can update and itemize things to death. Thank you Sailfanatic for your spread sheet, it gives me a starting point.
 
Jul 19, 2013
388
Pearson 31-2 Boston
The spreadsheet seems to be the best way for me. I will get my son to set them up, then I can update and itemize things to death. Thank you Sailfanatic for your spread sheet, it gives me a starting point.
Some members requested a copy of this file.

SO doesn't allow DMing an .XLSX file type so I have put the file out on the Google cloud with this link


Download the file to use with Excel. If you open it online in GoogleSheets some contents may be lost.

Let me know of any issues.
 
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higgs

.
Aug 24, 2005
3,704
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I keep a handwritten log of maintenance on the engine so I know when I last changed filters, inspected impellar, etc. and nothing else. I am good for 200 hours on an oil change. If I am cruising, I just rely on my memory of trips made under power to determine engine needs. I do not keep a log of trips in most situations. A long cruise on Lake Ontario would be 400 miles and that is not even 80 hours on the engine if I motored the entire way. Seems to work for me. My 1985 boat uses no oil.
 

DArcy

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Feb 11, 2017
1,768
Islander Freeport 36 Ottawa
I use Microsoft OneNote for maintenance as well as To Do list and I made a Kanban board for all of the planned work. I also have winterizing and spring commissioning checklists, equipment information and lists in the boat OneNote book. I can access it from my phone, tablet or computer, all searchable and readily available from anywhere.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,846
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Cleaning my office, I came across the attached checklist. It is for winter in the Pacific NW, so may want to download it and save it for next November. Your Call.
 

Attachments

Oct 6, 2007
1,121
Hunter H30 1982 Chicago IL
I’ve just been using Notes in my iPhone so it’s always handy. I keep three maintenance related lists:
1) A running To Do List for spring commissioning, winterization, winter projects, launch critical/non-critical spring projects and as few summer projects as possible. Items get checked off as completed. The list gets saved and re-used annually with routine maintenance items remaining and projects added or removed.
2) Maintenance Log, organized by year and month, of completed routine maintenance, repairs, refits, upgrades, and running notes to track issues.
3) Boat Specs List which is everything from Hull# & boat data to oil type and model numbers for fuel, oil & air filters, joker valve, line sizes & lengths, etc.
 
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Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,776
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Similar to @DArcy but I use Evernote.
I keep notes for boat work visits, boat sailing logs, manuals and many other categories.