The original purpose of a keeping a log aboard ship was to serve as a repository for navigation information. Explorers kept records of the lands and waterways they visited, what they saw and, perhaps most important, how to get home. Today, the path home is less important, but logbooks still play a major role on vessels of all kinds.

Record keeping is still a major part of life on commercial and military vessels, mandated and all-inclusive. In fact, the documentation may include multiple logs–engine, deck and the ship's official log–with detailed information to help crews navigate in the event of equipment failure and provide sufficient data to reconstruct events should a disaster occur.

Keeping a log is voluntary for recreational captains, but many consider it a matter of good seamanship. A proper log can help you track maintenance, get a captain's license, make an insurance claim or survive a legal battle. How much data you keep is largely a matter of personal preference–what information you want and how much time you want to spend collecting it–and there are a myriad of ways to do so. Keeping a log may be as simple as a few sentences jotted down in a spiral notebook or as complex as a large-scale database maintained by state-of-the-art commercial software. Often, it is something in between.

David Kroenke, author of Know Your Boat, devoted several pages to keeping a proper maintenance log and notes that such documentation can actually increase the value of your vessel. "Future owner(s) will be able to see exactly what was done to the boat," he wrote.

Logs are mandatory on commercial and military vessels, including those that track information on engines, maintenance and weather conditions. A log is voluntary on a recreational boat, but can be extremely useful.

A PROPER LOG

So, what are the absolute must-have categories in a recreational boat log? That's a matter of opinion, and online boating forums are full of discussions on the topic. A captain in Merritt Island, Florida, gave a tidy response in a forum last year: "Date, time, weather, destination, passengers (guests), engine hours, fuel (start and finish), events," he wrote. The list is well-considered and stands as a good, basic trip log that can grow as you like.

Other forum participants preferred a more expanded approach. "I would add a full contacts database so you'll have names, address, phone, (and the) latitude/longitude of all the places you like," said a Virginia boater, who also wanted "PDF files with all sorts of documentation about parts and systems and manuals for the boat." One South Carolina captain suggested, "a maintenance log and a fuel log." This recommendation is interesting on several counts. There are those who prefer to keep maintenance records separate, which is done on commercial and military vessels, while others favor an all-in-one approach. There is no right or wrong. It's a matter of what works best for you and your boat.

Part of the decision will rest upon how you prefer to keep a log. If you like to write by hand and use paper records, then you'll have to decide whether to use multiple books or a single log and set a strategy for keeping them waterproof and safe. If you prefer electronic entry, this too comes with options. You can use a simple spreadsheet, a log program or a log function that is part of a larger suite of navigation software.

The best approach is to consider your needs first. Make a list of the information you would like to keep, then decide whether you are inclined to do so in one log or several. Consider your habits. Will you fill it out at the helm? In the cabin? Back at home in your office? Once you have some basic information on what you plan to track and how you plan to track it, you can go shopping for products that fit your style.

BOOKS AND SOFTWARE

There is a wide range of products from which to choose, starting with paper logs. Paper logbooks are everywhere. You can make your own, with a binder and some paper, or opt to buy a bound version at a book or stationary store. There are also many commercial versions available. Constantine Ventures has an attractive one for $19.99 (hardcover) and $9.99 (soft cover). Aspinal of London has a deluxe edition for $195. There are even options to personalize your logbook with a photo or a brass plate. Whichever you choose, it is probably a good idea to buy a waterproof case or chart bag to protect it.

Electronic options are equally numerous. Some are stand-alone programs and some are part of a suite. Some are software and some are web applications. Some are free and some must be purchased. When looking at options, be sure to think about how you plan to back up your data in the event of a computer crash.

The simplest – and perhaps the cheapest – electronic log may be a spreadsheet that you configure yourself. Using Microsoft's Excel, or any similar program, you can set up the log your way, without having to learn new software or adapt your data and habits to a pre-determined workflow. Information can be kept in one large log or spread across multiple sheets. The file can then be stored on a USB drive that can be taken with you, making backup to multiple machines easy. The cost, assuming you have spreadsheet software, is less than $20.