Jinx wrote:
I'm very new to sailing have currently only been sailing dinghy's at my
local sailing club for approx 1 year but i still have a keen interest in
sailing larger boats in the future.

I have recently been offered a place to crew on a J109 for the Aug bank
holiday weekend.

My question is i believe its good practice to keep a log book of all sailing
trips/experience, but i'm un-sure what data i should be keeping within the
log book entries?

i.e. boat type, wind speed, weather, distance, location?

Can you buy proper log books? if so where from
Is there any computer software versions available?
I quiet happy to create my own but would like any info/suggestions as to
what headings i should include.



Many thanks from a keen new sailer

Mark


I think the best way to do it is to keep two maybe three books. One
book is the "Ship's Log" (I think it is required by law in most places).
In it are details of where you were and when. When you turned your
lights on, when you were under power/sail etc. How many miles you
traveled and how long it took and weather. A well kept ships log is a
historical document as well as a legal document.
The second book is an engineering log/defect book. In it are details
about repairs and maintenance so that you know when what was done to the
boat.
Obviously, if you don't have a boat then you don't have these logs.
The final one is the one you are asking about. It is a personal log of
your qualifications and seatime. All professional mariners keep one
because upgrading requires proof of seatime. My professional log is
very accurate on seatime and the types of ships I have sailed in. My
recreational log is part of my package of qualifications. It also has a
record of seatime, where and when. It records races and
daytime/nighttime hours. It notes what my job was on the boat and has a
signature block for the skipper. It has all my qualifications in it from
radio licenses and first aid to boathandling and navigation. The log
was provided by the Canadian Yachting Association when I started
pursuing their courses.

I like it.

Gary