Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

A conversation among Whalers
jimh
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Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby jimh » Wed Dec 16, 2015 12:34 pm

As operators of Boston Whaler boats--"whalers"--we should all be keeping very accurate log books. You never know, but some scientist might be interested in them a couple of centuries in the future.

According to many recent news articles, log books for whaling ships of the 1700's that sailed in Arctic regions are now being studied for notations of weather and ice cover by NOAA scientists. A good article is at PHYS.ORG; it goes into more depth about the log books and the project than the typical news and features website rehash.

K Albus
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby K Albus » Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:21 am

Do you keep a detailed log of your boating?

I keep track of: the number of days I use the boat each summer; the number of hours the motor is run each day; the distance traveled each day; the gallons of fuel burned each day; the average fuel economy for each day; and a general description of the weather and my activities on each day the boat is used. I also keep track of the fuel I put into the tank and the price I paid for it.

Reviewing my log from time to time usually leaves me with the same impression: I don't spend nearly enough time boating.

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Dutchman
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby Dutchman » Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:01 pm

K Albus wrote:Do you keep a detailed log of your boating?

Reviewing my log from time to time usually leaves me with the same impression: I don't spend nearly enough time boating.


KA you spend to much time writing down all that info (great to have but too time consuming)
I couldn't do that for my little Whaler (how do I keep it dry/stored)
I do/did for my cabin cruisers but still not as detailed as you do.
here's a sample; Wednesday 07/02/2014 left South Haven @ 1800 for Chicago, light wind NWN 6mph. Took watch until 2400 when George took watch Motor-sailed since 2100 running 7 knts. Thursday 07/03/2014 AJ relieved George at 0400 still no wind. Got up at 0500 and joined the boys in the cockpit. Wind is picking up and Chicago in sight. Turned off motor and sailing towards Monroe Harbor. 0810 tied off at dock and welcomed by PMYC members with breakfast.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot

Huckelberry145
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby Huckelberry145 » Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:24 pm

My dad kept meticulous records of our fishing/boating trips, something I wish I did. I can tell you having logbooks that I can reference for comparing today's trips to those of years ago sure helps in patterning fish habits and for me, a boost in confidence in the what, where, how deep, bait, etc. As of reading this thread, I'm going to order a captain's log from Pacific Publishers, the same company that prints the TIDELOG that I enjoy so much.

K Albus
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby K Albus » Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:45 am

I keep my log in an Excel spreadsheet. It only takes a couple of minutes after each boat trip to make an entry. I don't keep detailed records of the weather such as air temp and wind direction. I will, however, make note of any extreme conditions I encounter.

I forgot to mention that I also record any repairs or major maintenance procedures that are completed. This year my log helped me remember that I was due for a water pump impeller change.

Huckelberry145
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby Huckelberry145 » Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:52 pm

My Captain's Log from Tidelog came in today and I really like it. On the first few pages, it has entries for detailed information about the vessel, model numbers, and serial numbers of the hull, engines, batteries, fuel tanks, etc. The next fifty pages or so are printed for entries of cruise log and cruise information. In the back of the journal is a place reserved for a maintenance log. $12.00 from Pacific Publishers, http://www.Tidelog.com (912)472-4373. He even put Capt Bill Huggins on the cover for me. I can't wait to start filling it up.

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jimp
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby jimp » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:34 pm

My Dad kept accurate logs for 25 years aboard "Weather-Lee"s II-IV, 1965-1990, (1965 32' Chris Craft Sea Skiff Sport Fisherman, 1969 Post 38' Sport Fisher, 1977 42' Post Sportfisherman). We all made entries over the years from Maine to Montreal, Canada (Expo 67) and the Bahamas. Weather-Lee IV was sold in 1992.

We scattered Dad's ashes on Great Peconic Bay, Long Island, using two Pursuits and one Grady White, in September 2013 and my brother, sister, and I and our spouses and kids all read special entries from over the years.

The logs made the ceremony very special.

JimP
Attachments
Weather-Lee IV.jpg
Weather-Lee IV, 1977 42' Post
Weather-Lee IV.jpg (79.56 KiB) Viewed 7562 times
Weather-Lee III speed.5 Jul 69.jpg
Weather-Lee III, 1969 38' Post
Weather-Lee III speed.5 Jul 69.jpg (59.61 KiB) Viewed 7562 times
Weather-Lee II.3 Aug 67.jpg
Weather-Lee II, 1965 32' Chris-Craft
Weather-Lee II.3 Aug 67.jpg (58.25 KiB) Viewed 7562 times

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Dutchman
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Re: Keep An Accurate Log of Your Whaler

Postby Dutchman » Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:29 am

jimp wrote:My Dad kept accurate logs for 25 years aboard "Weather-Lee"s II-IV, 1965-1990, (1965 32' Chris Craft Sea Skiff Sport Fisherman, 1969 Post 38' Sport Fisher, 1977 42' Post Sportfisherman). We all made entries over the years from Maine to Montreal, Canada (Expo 67) and the Bahamas. Weather-Lee IV was sold in 1992.

We scattered Dad's ashes on Great Peconic Bay, Long Island, using two Pursuits and one Grady White, in September 2013 and my brother, sister, and I and our spouses and kids all read special entries from over the years.

The logs made the ceremony very special.

JimP



Jim that was nice thanks for sharing.
I have to keep that in mind as my request involves scattering my ashes from a wooden boat and I do have some logs, especially of the work I did on my woodies. A 25' 1957 Chris-Craft Sea Skiff, a 1961 27' Chris-Craft Sea Skiff, a 1953 18' Thompson, 1963 31'Chris-Craft Cavalier and a many other sailing type dinghies prior to that.
It will be a pity that I won't be able to see it but hopefully they fulfill my wishes.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot