Do I remember what year we
went to Sucia Island? How long does it take to get to Blake Island? When did I take my nephew sailing on Lake Washington? These are questions I have asked myself. But, I did not know the answers until I checked my logbook. There are many reasons to keep a log: from recording average speed, to remembering that great place we stayed the summer before last. A ship’s log is the best place to
document time on the water. There are charts that give mileage from port to port, and guidebooks to describe good destinations. My log is specific to my boat. How long did it take me to get to Penrose Pt. via Eagle Island? How much gas did I burn on a windless summer day? I like to write down specifics about the destination; such as availability of dock space, ice, showers and fuel. What did we do there and is there anything we should bring next time to make it more fun? Another visit to Joemma Beach will include a shovel for clamming, and a better slip choice due to the southern exposure. It is doubtful I will remember both these things without writing it down. The weather is generally considered light conversation, but not when you
MEMORIES THE By Michael Karangelen
are out on the boat. Entries concerning wind, waves, and tides specific to an area, help me understand why the trip out was so much quicker than the trip back. There is nothing like local knowledge. A place to record hazards beats a monologue like this any day: “I thought there was a hidden shoal around here somewhere,” or “Aren’t the tides around Eagle Island really strong?” I have kept a log since my wife
(girlfriend at the time) and I have been sailing together. My first book was a Ship’s Log by Henry Beard and Roy McKie. It measures 5” by 8” with humorous comments and diagrams. It had space for rudimentary entries and worked fine for daysailing. When I got a bigger boat, I bought the Boat Log and Record book by Marlin Bree. It is
in a spiral notebook format with a lot of great features. Some of the sections include:
Phone numbers: I always include friends in the area with boats, in case I need a hand.
Expense sheet: I don’t fill this out; it might make me feel bad.
Log sheet: The place to write down time of departure and arrival, destination, miles traveled, speed, fuel consumption, weather, crew, and what we did.
Emergency procedures: Instructions for man overboard, fire, taking on water, and a diagram for locating emergency equipment.
48° NORTH, JULY 2010 PAGE 37
KEEPING
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