LOG, MAINTENANCE, AND GUEST REGISTER
Over the years, we have purchased many preprinted log books trying to get the perfect combination. When we found one that was good, we could never find a replacement of the same edition. In frustration we decided to design our own. The design evolves but our current ones are in the linked Excel spreadsheet for your convenience.
The Excel file has three pages, log, maintenance log, and guest register. We print these as we need them on the boat, punch, and place in a three ring binder. The ship's and maintenance logs are printed portrait, and the guest register, landscape.
LOG BOOK COMMENTS:
Most forms are too busy and use a ton of space for data not recorded each day. Each log entry gets a date but the next four columns may have no data depending on our situation. Often we are at anchor in one spot for several days. No need to fill in all the other stuff. I am free form in these columns and may make weather notes here. At the end of each entry, I draw a line across to the day column. If it is the last entry of the day, then I draw it completely across.
When I buy fuel, I enter engine hours and gallons in these, then calculate hours since last fill and usage rate.
My comments on the voyage and then recorded in the comments area.
When we are day sailing near home, or island hopping for a day, we usually don't record position, course, or speed underway. On long passages we do this at each change of watch. However, we tend to do this in a spiral notebook and then transfer info to the log when we reach our destination.
MAINTENANCE LOG;
I do not use the log to schedule maintenance no do I describe how it was performed. I only record what was done and part numbers of any unique parts purchased.
GUEST REGISTER:
We really enjoy having guests aboard and whether they are just there for sundowners or are staying for a fairly long period we ask them to sign. It is a great way to jog our memory.
WEATHER:
While we pay close attention to weather and sometimes not it in the log, we have a separate not book for that purpose.
RELEASE OF COPYRIGHT:
There is nothing special about these logs and while we took the time to create them do claim any copyright. If you find them useful, please feel free to copy and/or modify to suit your own needs.
Click on the link at top or below to open the spreadsheet.