Log book for hire boaters?

[libali]

After several years of narrow boat holidays, always thinking I'll remember where we ate / moored etc and never quite recalling, I thought a log book would be a nice idea.

Most books out there are understandably aimed at boat owners and liveaboards, so seem to have quite a maintenance focus and a single craft. Is anyone aware of one that would work well to record separate trips on different boats? 

I know I should probably just put one together myself but if anyone knows of a suitable publication, please say. 

Thank you!

[Rob-M]

I just used to use a standard notebook.

[pearley]

9 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

I just used to use a standard notebook.

So did we.

[libali]

I wish I had too!

Looking for something to prompt me, but perhaps I should just prompt me 🤣

[Tam & Di]

Why is it not possible to use a standard log book? I assume it is possible to enter the place you leave and arrive each day, with all intervening comment. It wouldn't matter if the depature point on one day does not correspond to your stopping point on the previous entry, especiially as the date would be significantly later.

[MrsM]

I used the calendar on my smartphone to keep a log of our boat travels (stops, eateries, walks, visits etc), and now do the same with our van trips. It's lovely looking back through all the places we've been and things we've done. Nice and easy to cross-reference photos too.

[libali]

27 minutes ago, Tam & Di said:

Why is it not possible to use a standard log book? I assume it is possible to enter the place you leave and arrive each day, with all intervening comment. It wouldn't matter if the depature point on one day does not correspond to your stopping point on the previous entry, especiially as the date would be significantly later.

 It probably is! I just wondered if there was a particular one which had more trip / mooring / eating / weather info space and less emphasis on maintenance tasks etc.

5 minutes ago, MrsM said:

I used the calendar on my smartphone to keep a log of our boat travels (stops, eateries, walks, visits etc), and now do the same with our van trips. It's lovely looking back through all the places we've been and things we've done. Nice and easy to cross-reference photos too.

 

For some reason I'm wanting a physical record, although your point about the photos is good. I'm also hoping to use photos of past trips to try to remember some details that I didn't record. 

[IanM]

I used to just carry a notebook and record everything. It got very battered but was full of times and notes. 
 

Now I just take pictures of random bridges, etc and where we moor as it then has the time stamps on the file so I can make the notes afterwards. 

[Momac]

I must admit my notes have become more concise with time.

But the notes  are a reminder of journeys that have been  a great source of pleasure. 

Like others I  just use a notebook which I keep on the boat.

 

[Stroudwater1]

We use this log book.  I’m not too good at filling in and rely on photos taken when we leave and moor up a bit like IanM does. 
 

It’s pretty much as described by others. Just fill in each week for a different boat. Refill pages are available too. 
 

https://store.imray.com/products/navigators-log-book-ib0093-1?srsltid=AfmBOoo2dNoVkp1ry8zAREDctUVNnj27UhhzTakmpHqY4D1GoCxI_3O1

[IanM]

9 hours ago, Stroudwater1 said:

 I’m not too good at filling in and rely on photos taken when we leave and moor up a bit like IanM does.

 

Did I mention that it also relies on me remembering to take the photos too? 😄

[Hudds Lad]

We use a Collins day-per-page diary, just write down anything relevant for each day. Just get a different colour each year.

 

https://amzn.eu/d/eynoWX6  as an example

[Tam & Di]

Unless you want to be particularly elequent even a week-per-page version woud probably suffice. Even then, if you don't boat that regularly you'd fetch up with a lot of empty pages. We used to operate little coastal ships and the crews simply used A5 hardback note books - that was sufficient to comply with official requirements and meant there weren't empty pages each time they didn't move. You can use as few or as many pages for reach trip as you want, depending on how long the trip and how much detail you want to enter. Our crews would note the weather conditions, fuel used and engine services, plus any untoward events.

Edited November 21 by Tam & Di

[Momac]

I rarely write more than a few  lines on any day  and as  a leisure boater my A5 book will probably fall apart from old age before I fill it.

Being able to look back at previous years is part of the usefulness of keeping all the notes in one book. Its no big deal writing the year at the top of every page and the date before each entry.

 

[Laurie Booth]

16 hours ago, Rob-M said:

I just used to use a standard notebook.

Yep

[Graham Davis]

I can look back at the various Nichollson's I've got, where I wrote notes on the maps and along the various pages.

[MrsM]

8 minutes ago, Graham Davis said:

I can look back at the various Nichollson's I've got, where I wrote notes on the maps and along the various pages.

My biggest regret is passing on our full set of Nicholsons to the people that bought our boat. Wish we had kept them as I made loads of notes about moorings, pubs etc. With hindsight I would have been happier to buy a new set to leave with the boat. It has since changed hands at least once so goodness knows where they have ended up 😞.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Standard A5 notebook. Where moored, weather, interesting things and people seen/met. Engine services, diesel fills, blacking, BSS exams etc. Anything from one line to half a page a cruising day, depending. 

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

3 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Standard A5 notebook. Where moored, weather, interesting things and people seen/met. Engine services, diesel fills, blacking, BSS exams etc. Anything from one line to half a page a cruising day, depending. 

same but with an A5 page a day diary,

 

and (because I’m sad) a spread sheet so I can see at a glance where I’ve been over the year,

 

and I keep sketchbooks as a reminder

 

 

[Rob-M]

I now use a spreadsheet with summary sheet for miles, engine hours, locks, diesel and gas per year so I can do per year comparison.  Gives the ability to search by canal to see where we have been and moored previously.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

3 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

I now use a spreadsheet with summary sheet for miles, engine hours, locks, diesel and gas per year so I can do per year comparison.  Gives the ability to search by canal to see where we have been and moored previously.

I try to keep the hours updated for oil change otherwise just mooring spot and the canal,

 

..oh and a record of CRT sightings 😃

 

 

[Laurie Booth]

21 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

I try to keep the hours updated for oil change otherwise just mooring spot and the canal,

 

..oh and a record of CRT sightings 😃

 

 

And beer prices I hope

[johnmoly]

You can get a Boating log book for £6 from Amazon. Don't know what the inside pages consist of.

[blackrose]

What about forgetting the log book altogether and just living in the moment? 

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

On 23/11/2025 at 12:51, Laurie Booth said:

And beer prices I hope

too pissed to remember 

 

😃