Your use of a Log Book

How do you keep boating records and experiences?

  • I keep a detailed log book of all maintenance/repairs, fuel usage, and cruising

    Votes: 29 35.8%

  • I keep a log book of maintenance/repairs and fuel usage

    Votes: 10 12.3%

  • I keep a log book of maintenance/repairs

    Votes: 17 21.0%

  • I keep a box of receipts and no log book

    Votes: 16 19.8%

  • I don't do anything

    Votes: 9 11.1%
  • Total voters
    81
I have a photo album of all the places we go. I keep a box of receipts.
 
I do the photo album thing too. If anything came up, I'd probably keep it in with the manuals and other docs.

-VtSeaRay
 
I keep a log book of maintenance/repairs and fuel usage (Excel spread sheet for maintenance and fuel usage stats.)
Photo log/Web site of Major trips.
 
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Box of receipts - I try not to look at it very often since it reminds me how much I've spent.... I looked for a log book for the Palm but haven't found anything yet. I know I'd lose a notebook but my phone I've been able to keep up with!
 
I have a note book of receipts documenting the maintenance, a Journal of the trips made, who came along, destination and a breif description of what we did.

I also have my "Offical Organizer" It's a smaller Zipper covered organizer, I log all of the clearance #'s, dates and locations for every border crossing as well as who was on board each time. I also keep that handy for any documention, registration, info and ID we'll need.
 
I have a feeling if you did a bar chart based on the size of your vessel you will find it opposite of the other chart you put up today.
 
I have an Excel page in a book on board that I hand write everything from who washes and waxes what to major repairs. Every month or so, I copy the page into the computer. I know exactly what I paid for what part and from whom from every boat I've ever owned. The worst ones to review are the fuel bills from 2000..... $1.31 for gas in Key West.

Of particular note, I've always kept a log of our travels and always noted lock times as we go up/down the river. It saved me in a lawsuit once from someone who claimed my wake damaged their boat. They had to state the date and time of the damage and my log served to prove it wasn't me.
 
I have a bound notebook such as the type used to submit thesiseses or to take written tests in. On the right side of a page pair, I keep a running journal of all of our time spent on the boat with details including weather, flies/mosquitos, who, what, where, when, water temp. At the beginning of each new entry, I include fuel numbers, engine hours, genny hours, and the like.

On the left, I write down all of the non-routine maintenance (anything more than cleaning strainers...). I also keep data about what part numbers to use and where to get them. Today, I am adding details about which machine, pad type, and compound/polish/wax type to use in combo to achieve what results.

In the back of our log book, I have a list of people's names, boat name, and boat type. Now, if I could only remember to review it before going to the beach!

I keep all receipts in a folder at home.
 
Good Poll Gary! I just boat my 260DA the Friday before Labor Day. Unfortunatley, in Pittsburgh the boating season just about done! I am looking forward to next year and I have a feeling this is going to be a long winter.:smt021
 
In addition to logging all maintenance and fuel, I keep a log entry for every time the boat leaves the dock or any day of cruising when on a trip. Some entries are as simple as time in and out, destination, engine hours and who was on board. I do try to be as detailed as possible with other aspects of the day as I find it makes for great reading in the dead of winter and a terrific resource for future planning (great anchorages, approach notes, what not to order at a restaurant next time).
 
My mother kept a written log of our summer cruises when I was a kid. When I got this boat, she bought me a log book, which I have been keeping since 2004. I also keep maintenance records in this book.

Thanks to the author of this poll, I got the idea to start a BLOG, which starts with a trip this summer. The written log, which was updated each day of the trip, served as an outline for the Blog. Photos taken also aided in reminding me of events from the trip. No internet access so the blog wasnt posted to until we returned.
 
I created an excel spread sheet and track all cost and not only would it scare the hell out of anyone looking at buying a boat it justifies what my father always tried to tell me " a boat is a hole in the water through which one pours money". True to my wishes I have enjoyed 99% of all my time on the boat except dealing with cleaning issues for over thirty five years that I've owned a boat. Not looking to change anytime soon either.
 
I take pictures most times I go out. The major trips I write up on CSR and post photos to photobucket to email to people that might be intersted. Been lucky so far on maintence. I file the winterizatlon bill along with anything that needs to be done in a folder. When I lost the file my dealer was very accomidating and printed all of my service tickets for me.
 
My in-laws gave us a log book when we got the boat, started out good for the first few trips then it became too much like homework. I hated school! I do keep all receipts in a folder and all maintenance (date and engine hrs at the time) in a word document.
 
I have kept a log book for the last 6 years. It includes a paragraph or so about every trip with who, where, when, etc. It is funny to go back and read about some of my early journeys. I track my hours and fuel usage. The book has a section for maintence and I track everything including cost of parts. This book resides next to the Throne at home so it gets filled out regularly :)
 
Just stick a picture or two in the "book" along with a sentence or two... You'll laugh in 10 years...
 
BTW - My log book included my first boat whcih I sold 5 years ago. The owner blew the motor and offered it back to me for basically nothing. I forgot what I did to that boat until I looked in the book. Very handy....
Gary - Now I have to add pics - geez.....
 
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