Boating logbooks - software options

[La Maddalena]

As the new owner of a 2003 360 DA, I am interested in keeping a detailed log book for our boat. I assume there are some software programs available for keeping a log, integrated with the boat's electronic systems. Our 360 has the original Raymarine RL 70 color plotter/ GPS / radar (somewhat dated) but I assume the Raymarine software integrates somehow with other software to keep track of trips, hours, etc. while allowing you to enter notes on maintenance, etc. What are other CSR members using to keep electronic records? Also, any info on programs that would allow uploading this info to a personal website or blog would be appreciated. I enjoyed Four Suns blog where he uploaded satellite weather map imagry from his trips.

 

[searaycruisn]

I have kept a manual log on an Excel spreadsheet. I record information about each trip such as date, weather, length of time the trip took, what marina or anchorage we stayed at, cost of the marina, amount of fuel purchased, average fuel usage, and who was on the boat. I also maintain a separate spreadsheet of all maintenance performed on the boat including date and hours on the engines.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have kept a Weems & Plath cruising log for the past two years. This records the who what, where, and when, but also a lot of the more spontaneous comments made by crew and guests.

Henry

 

[hack4alivin]

I remember when I was a kid my uncle was a boater, kept moving up and up. He finally ended up as the Commodore at the Baltimore Yacht Club. After he passed away my aunt gave me his log books. He really did make for some interesting and fun ready. I keep trying to keep a log updated, but I often forget.

 

[douglee25]

I too forget about a log book. I keep a record of repairs and the hour meter, but I forget about keeping track of location, distances, people aboard, etc.

Doug

 

[Alex F]

I miantain a spreadsheet as a logbook with most necessary details and comments. I know what you mean and with much things going on it's easy to forget, so I simply have a reminder in my smartphone set for every Monday. This way I log the trips, which took place over the weekend.

 

[La Maddalena]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Years ago a friend of mine who was a serious sailor was religious about keeping a handwritten log book, as if it was the code of the sea for all sailors. I assumed that with all of the advances in personal computers and marine electronics since then that there would be lots of programs for log keeping now, integrating with the chartplotter waypoints from trips, satellite weather info, etc. I am an avid user of Excel and can cedrtainly keep a log on a spreadsheet, I just assumed there was something more advanced than that. Maybe an iPhone app? Maybe I need to create one!

 

[northern]

I was told by on real catain that it is the law you must keep a paper record of your travels. He said you need to plot your course on paper even if you do it with a chart plotter. The idea is if your plotter fails you have a back up. We plot then print and put it all in a 3 ring binder. It provides a log of where we have been. I also write up a story most day of what we do in word and email it out. As to maintenance I do a paper log for that. It gives you something to do each day.