1. Inventory spreadsheet: remarks column has model # and part # for future reference. Alphabetical. I hate categories. Is alternator engine or electrical?
Includes cost. Many times folks ask what I paid for something. Item, date, cost, source, remarks. Pretty simple. I can sort it by year for tax purposes. I don't include fuel, berthing or insurance. Fuel's separate, and the others are fixed costs. This is a parts manual.
2. Fuel log: spreadsheet calculates amount needed on next fill. Date, engine hours, next refill.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3841.0.html
3. Maintenance log: clean spreadsheet with gridlines, date, time, engine hours, big remarks column. I keep a bunch of these blanks in my boat book and fill them in by hand as I go. When I finish, I scan them in, keep the originals at home, copies on the boat. I always have something to go back to for handy tips & tricks, like transmission fluid changes. I have reasonably good handwriting.
I never bother typing the stuff in. I don't lug the computer to the boat every time I go, either.
4. Energy budget. Easy to do, three columns: daysail, anchor out, night sail. All are remarkably different. Only have to do it once, though. The All-Important Energy Budget:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3976.0.html
I don't agree with those who keep saying don't look at costs. Sure, it's a hobby, but I am very glad I did so. How else could I show the Admiral how much
less it costs every year?
I keep a separate handwritten daily log when cruising. Also notes when adding water, checking batteries, miscellaneous stuff. Fun to go back and read the cruising notes. I'm on my seventh logbook.
