Tom Cunliffe breathes some life into the Log Book
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- What do you think Tom enters in his log book? You might be surprised...
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Welcome on board!
Tom
copyright Tom Cunliffe 2020
Watching your videos is like sitting down with a favorite uncle to listen to stories and absorb some wisdom.
Thanks Tom. I'd like to be thought of as a favourite uncle! My own Uncle Tom had flown over the trenches in WW1 with the Royal Flying Corps in a biplane! Time marches on...
Tom has the gift of the gab.
I'm a Essex lad who grew up in Australia, it's so good to hear a turn of phrase that's seems so familiar but seems so for away .
I love listening to his stories. My own log books are quite simple entries since I'm just sailing in the bay for a day or two at a time. But its certainly useful.
Sat at work on my lunch (NHS staff) and pleased to get a bing on my phone to say you have released another video.
Thanks Tom, cheered up my Monday!
Thanks Chris. Really pleased you enjoyed it and it brightened your today. It's me who should be thanking you for the great work you and your shipmates are doing. Tom
Well done Tom … you have an uncanny knack of making even the most mundane subjects really interesting … long may it continue - fair winds!
Many thanks Tim. I was a bit afraid folks wouldn't be interested. Tom
Hi Tom. Well we thought we were the only ones! We gave up with off the shelf log books many years ago. We have an A4 binder book one page is columns the next page is for the narrative. Effectively two A4 pages per day. When we at canchor (which is a lot) we still fill in the narrative. Water used, solar and battery volts. Views, Visits, other boats near us, doggy walks and photos taken. This winter during our lockdown here we have been able to relive every day of the 1600 miles traveled last year. Excelent video as always. Thank you for sharing. Sail Safe guys. Ant, Cid and the pooch crew.
I think if there was a fire in the house, the one thing I'd save would be our logbooks. What memories they hold. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns, After the good lady obviously :-)
Thank you so much for sharing your interesting encounters all firmly logged down happily. Pimm's image is very interesting. How captains sailed in true gentleman's fashion - in tie and suit and a stately peak cap to top!
Hi Tom, always enjoy reading your ramblings. Have been a pilot for 40 years, and still fill in a paper log book, on to my fifth. On my 35 ft sail boat, same goes. I love electronics and the latest kit, but as I found in the scouts as a lad, Be prepared. And unless the paper is completely submerged, I'll still use a paper log on my boat, even for a day sail. You are never boring, I have instructed for over 25 years, and the things you hold true, work in aviation and all walks of life. Cheers mate, from another white haired old bloke.
Thanks mate for your support. Cheers Tom
A ships log book is so important in many ways.
🤠👍🏻👍🏻
I can see that your log book contains a lot of Swedish locations. It's nice that you talk about Baltic waters, not many UK sailors explore this incredible archipelago up here. Once you get a hang on it, all rocks and at first scary charts is not that hard. Just go for it. Cheers.
Blessings
Thanks for a very clear and interesting explanation. I once read (I think it was in PBO) that a log book may often be called upon by authorities and insurance companies in the event of an accident to help ascertain if a proper watch was being kept, even on small leisure vessels.
You are absolutely correct Danny. One part of my work concerns being an expert witness in maritime cases. Some of the so-called log books that people produce are an absolute disgrace. Tom
Thank you Tom, I enjoyed that very much. Aloha
Cheers mate. I'm pleased you did. Tom
Thanks Tom.
You're more than welcome English Sailor. Tom
Oh thank you Tom.....
You are more than welcome Kyle. Tom
Fantastic advice. One paper log book coming up.
Good one! Tom
This is one of the best sailing channels on UA-cam, and you are not even out sailing now! You are very knowledgable and skilled. So much ocean widsom. Thank you so much Tom! I will get myself a paper log book asap=)
Thanks for your kind remarks. It's not the easiest of tasks to make a vid about sailing while land-locked, so I'm pleased that they are coming across ok. Tom
I’ve never had a boat I thought worthy of a log book, since I have done mostly paddling and rowing on Texas lakes. I’ve just ordered a strange 16 foot inflatable, a Kaboat, and you’ve convinced me a logbook is a great idea. Mine will be waterproof, however, as the saloon is open air. I did have an four wheel drive E350 camper van - envision a Volkswagen campmobile Texas style with a 6.9 litre V10. I kept a logbook on that, and it’s a treasure. I had what I call an involuntary sabbatical and I did an 11,000 mile trip to Alaska and back. I wish I’d written more.
Thank you Tom....You made my Monday morning . I enjoyed your Vlog with my morning coffee.
Thanks Paul for sharing me with your coffee! Tom
11:21 And you have "Lord Nelson keeping an eye on things". My hero since I was a boy of 8. First visited the Victory with my Dad when I was 9, again 38 years later when he was in his 80s, and again 2 years ago. Each time I walk those gundecks I get overwhelmed; they feel so 'comfortable' and familiar to me that I swear I served aboard a ship of the line in a previous life. Even aged 9, I felt it. Sounds daft, I know, but aboard that ship I get a feeling I have never ever gotten anywhere else.
Who knows Harbour Dog? You might well have been. Definitely my hero too. Tom
Thanks again Tom for some very good advice. Hoping your both well and keeping safe. 👍⛵️
All well at Castle Cunliffe. Thanks for your concern. Hope things are good for you too Frank. Tom
I am never sure about how or if to enter CTS and Course Steered. Really like the log book and I must start doing that again.
It tickles me is the sailor in the picture in a suit and tie.
What an honor to be greeted by the port master and his rave party.😁
Hi Jeff. Yes, I feel I'm a bit sartorially challenged these days! The Port Captain was a real gent too. All best Tom
Great stories and some great tips about logbooks, all makes perfect sense to me. As a charter pilots of 'small planes', I still always carry a paper chart w me in the cockpit, folded correctly to reveal my current course, as my ultimate backup. It's just darn good to have a bit of nav gear at hand that can't suddenly all go dark on you 😄 And I love the logbooks idea, I will put that to good use when I get back onto the water 👍🏼☺️
I love the Boats that Built Britian
I love your simple fun way you use
your words as you speak about whatever
you'd been chatting up
quite a cheerful good ol' chatter to hear
a jewel to one's ear
I LOVE topics, ships, the coast,
the sea, there, I'd be at most pure peace
I've never been out to sea myself
but It'd be quite a thing to want to do
if I ever get the chance
the Scottish Reaper is similar
to a Baltimore Skipjack
which fished for Oysters in the Chesapeake
Bay in the state of Maryland.
Thanks Tom, I've just dug out a couple of my old Logbooks and am now going to while away the afternoon with a virtual voyage or two. Grin factor 10!
Great J! There's nothing like logbooks to bring back some memories. Enjoy the voyage. Tom
A brilliant yarn about Salvador, which Daniel Defoe depicted as the port from which Robinson Crusoe sailed, headed for West Africa to trade in slaves, only to be driven by a storm into the Caribbean and wrecked on his desert island.
Thanks Patrick. I didn't know that about R Crusoe. Magic place though. Pretty wild in the 1970s. Tom
Where actually is it? Is it the Salvador at the entrance to the Bay of All Saints, at about 13S 38.5W?
Excellent stuff, I do keep a log book too, just as a diary mainly but I will make sure I enter position and bearing a bit more often in future, thanks for doing the video. U.K.
My pleasure Ocean Adventurer. It's worth putting down the details. As someone once remarked to me, 'You never know what the coroner will say'. In cases where the log book is required for evidence, it's best to have a full account. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Thanks for the reply. The coroner, hilarious. I shall remember that !!!
Thanks Tom. My wife and I watched this last nigh. Much pleasure. We have kept all log books over the many years and it’s great to re read. I complete the navigation detail and she adds the narrative such as what we had for supper and who we met. I noticed you showed your voyage from Ystad to Stockholm in 2018. We sailed into Ystad when you were there 2 years ago and cruised slowly up to Stockholm but about 2 weeks behind you. Stayed there all last year and now waiting to get going again. Good luck with your continued voyaging and keep up with the videos.
Hi Graham. Sorry we didn't get to raft up. It's a beautiful area isn't it and, like you, I can't wait to get back to my boat in Denmark. Grand to hear you adopt the same principle as Ros and I. It gives great pleasure going through the books again. Tom
Thanks Tom. Inspirational as always. It's so easy to forget that it's as, if not more, important to keep a record of the experience as well as the factual information.
And so good to relive those voyages again David. Thanks for your kind words. Tom
Thanks Tom , your the best thing to watch during the lockdown !
Thanks Kevin. I really appreciate that. It'll spur me on to make some more! Tom
I can! Just back. First sail of the season.
Lucky you Frank. We're all desperate to get back to our boats. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Must be difficult with all those post winter jobs waiting, antifouling, zinc checks etc. Luckily here in Alesund, Norway. We are 'solo' sailing. But all regattas are postpone. We did briefly meet, in passing. 16.06 2017. (57.52.26N 11.37.36E) You where entrancing the narrow channel, heading north to Marstand, Sweden. We where just exiting. (SV BEEJOLLY) But then you should have it in your written Logbook! 😀
I too am keeping my messy logbook more like a diary right now. Tom, I know you have done a video on standing rigging, but I would love to hear something about putting on the mast too. I just did mine today and will swear by never putting the crane hook under the spreaders ever again!
That's a good idea Skippy. When I'm eventually able to get to my boat in Denmark, I'll try and film the yard putting the rig back together. They do it so smoothly. It's worth a watch. Thanks Tom.
Thank you for such a lovely video. We always enjoy them. They are especially nice during the lockdown. I believe in paper logs. Stay safe & healthy.
Thanks for watching. So pleased to have helped pass the time. All best Tom
Tom great video and I'm a great fan of all your features here and also books. But I have a small correction to provide. Brazil declared independence without a war, from the Portuguese. The Spanish never got to Brazil. At times French and Dutch did as you know. Independence was done by the son of the Portuguese King John VI with his consent after the King's return to Portugal from his exile in Rio de Janeiro during the Napoleonic wars. We thank the British that helped us free Portugal from Napoleon, but that is another story ! Thank you and keep safe, Jose
Many thanks Jose for putting me straight. All I knew was what the Captain told me - that Admiral Cochrane was instrumental in helping Brazil. It's great to get the background to that from you. Really appreciate it. Tom
Your paper log IS far more important than the life raft. As is the ability to be able to steer a compass course, independent of the GPS. I’ve been on a boat that lost all electrics for days and we had to dead reckon and navigate with a sextant. But the biggest hassle was for the first day, hardly anyone could steer a compass course that was anywhere near accurate! But we figured it out soon enough.
It's amazing how quickly skills can be lost. Glad you got there with the compass. Tom
I'd give anything to spend my life
at the beautiful sea
I HAVE to see those Aqua waters of the
southern coasts of the world!
Funny, that is exactly what it will cost, regardless of what you have got :-) Worth it though!
Brilliant. Thanks.
You're more than welcome Alves Sail. Tom
That was another gem of a yarn Tom. A joy to watch. A log book of mine was a ten year old lined columns log book written all over with what ever I damn well felt like at the time, a work of art I feel :-) Cheers for the full on enthusiasm to that idea!
I'll bet your old logs are a treat to look back on. Thanks Tom.
Travel restrictions are to be lifted in Wales on Monday, so I'm off to the sailing club for a mooch around. No racing for the forseable future but it will be nice to get on the water again.
I'm old-fashioned, a boat should have a decent navigation desk so the log, charts and navigation instruments are handy.
Great yarn and anecdotes - as always - many thanks for your entertaining vidoes at this time. Yes, we like a nice non-ruled notebook, draw in our own columns, allowing lots of other space for notes, and later when ashore, to stick our photos in too. At 11:06, Ardnamurchan to Cape Wrath Pilot, the approaches to the Small Isles and The Sound of Sleat on the pc; good stuff. But can't quite make out where you are on your B&G plotter/radar! Kind regards, William.
It's not easy is it! Probably the radar is head-up and goodness knows what scale I'm running on the plotter. The photo is not good. I've just had a go with the original photo and I'm with you. However, Ros just produced The Logbook itself with the page filled in to the bottom. We are indeed entering the Sound of Sleat in fog and mizzle. At 0900 we'd just lit the fire, we have washing drying in the saloon and some excellent bacon. For the record, at 1430 we anchored in Loch Ainort with the washing dry! Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Ha! Excellent reply to a comment - actual details from the very logbook in the picture, proving The Logbook works! Keep up the good work! Cheers!
The Sound of Sleat in fog and drizzle! Yes, many thanks for your reply and interesting logbook info. Thanks to Ros for the logbook research! Loch Ainort can be pretty bleak too in fog and drizzle - the great asset of a cosy cabin stove! William.
Outstanding --Scientists even today use written Lab Log books because electronic -data is always corruptible and remotely hackable . Hand Written good work is still the highest standard!!
Excellent Sail-Cast!
Thanks Sarah. That's really interesting to know about the scientists. Tom
Thanks Tom! Wise, wise words from a wise, wise man: derring do is all very well but a well ruled logbook is a sure sign of a well ruled vessel. When all else fails that is what gets you home. Many thanks.
You've got it Nick. Thanks! Tom
Nice one Tom, I have a similar logbook and I can go back years. - Cheers. :)
Well done David. You can't beat 'em, can you. Tom
Fun stuff! My logs are identical...your screen shot of the modern log looks just like any page in mine while underway....columns, comments....however I have many many pages in the 1 1/2" thick, 35 yr old log that are just delightful comments about daily activities....people, places, food....and the back 30 odd pages are peoples notes and details complete with polaroids or cards. Great fun reminiscing...and even today I pull up old hand drawings of anchorages that were drawn 30 yrs ago on arrival after passage, to reference or show newcomers the lay of the anchorages.....great video! Thanks, Andrew
Thanks Reload. I rather thought you'd have a proper logbook. I'm glad you mentioned the notes at the back. I probably should have done that. Mind include the likes of where to put the slings when lifted out, how to lead the staysail sheets through the shrouds and a live compass check with a sort of living deviation card that I add to whenever opportunity presents itself. Thanks for the reminder. Tom
Brilliant again . Thank you :)
My pleasure Namey! Glad you enjoyed it. Tom
Very nice "log down" ... thank you.
Thank you too Ulrich for watching. Tom
Excellent, I should really start doing this.
Order one today! You won't regret it. I love looking through my old ones. Tom
As always Tom, you have imparted invaluable information with a smile and a few yarns thrown in for good measure. Whenever I come across cruisers who have no paper charts and tell me they have become obsolete (and invariably these people do not make regular log entries also), I give them a little scenario......
You are making passage from Panama, Mexico or California to the Marquesas or perhaps Hawaii to the Line Islands. As you enter the ITCZ, the squall frequency increases and therefore the incidence of lightning. One night at 0300 (things always go wrong at 0300 🤔), lightning strikes the mast head and every piece of electronics is fried. You remember your battery operated GPS in the 'grab bag' and insert the batteries and fire it up. It takes a few hours to calibrate itself because it's brand new and you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, it gives you a Lat/long...... but then it slowly dawns on you that a Lat/Long is useless without a last known position (Logbook with regular entries) or a chart to plot it on. You have no idea where you are and worse, cannot plot a course to safety. If you miss the Marquesas (or Line Islands) - next stop Antartica!
Yes folks, modern chartplotters and the Global Positioning System are very reliable but at the very least carry small scale paper passage charts, make change of watch log entries and carry at least one handheld battery GPS (and also a sextant to at least grab some Noon Sites). Otherwise, you may find yourself in the above scenario (many yachts are struck by lightning in the Tropics) and be in the proverbial 'up shit creek without a paddle'.
Great video, good yarn, Tom. Thanks Mate.
Many thanks Mark for putting that all so soundly. I completely agree. Tom
is that your'MANCAVE' Tom ? Love the walls with all the charts and old photos etc. Don't laugh but I use a Childrens' Log Book on my yacht. Very simple to put info in with navigational hints on each page. I can use it like a scrapbook sticking in receipts from marinas etc and photos as well . When I completed my first ever single handed sailing trip on a 24ft falmouth gipsy from Lowestoft to Southwold. There I am holding a bottle of wine in the cockpit to celebrate at the harbour that I got there safely! Leaving Southwold is another story though. Funny now though!
Hi Dee. Yes, it's officially my study but it's chock-full of memories. Your logbook sounds great! And when you look back at the notes for your first-ever single handed trip, you'll be delighted you did. Tom
I've been searching for information like this for months and up pops your video. Thank you! I sail/race mostly on other people's yachts these days and have been looking for a good example of a personal log book to carry with me given the ship's log stays with the ship.
Glad it was what you needed Daniel. You'll treasure that book for years to come. Tom
Hi Tom, just working through your sunsight exercise on p. 44 of your 1986 book on celestial navigation, I plot the AP 5.5 nm west of the Ouessant NE light in the English Channel. I'm guessing that the exercise was an actual calculation in your log on a voyage from the bay of Biscay? The noon fix plots about 9 nm NE of the DR position and if I haven't made some serious error, that would suggest a strong tidal stream to the SW although you state that the tidal effect had cancelled out between the forenoon sight and the noon fix. I'm sure there's a story in this somewhere!! I can see why GPS is so popular....:-)
Hi George, I wonder if you have the early edition of the book. It sounds like it. I had it proof-read by a Master Mariner of some note in order to double check my arithmetic. Sadly, there were a couple of errors and he missed them. I thus spent a lot of time corresponding in the early years but haven't heard anything about the errors for a long time now. It may be that you've come across one. Newer editions are sorted. I'm sorry you've had to bend your brain over my mistake. Don't lose heart. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Hi Tom, I think it is an earlier version and I found a few minor errors as you say. However, the big error is mine - I forgot to transfer the position-line!! As the USNO site is down for some time to come, I bought an almanac for 2020 and have practised the sun sights in the garden. The big advantage is the garden doesn't drift. I got a nice triangle with a fore-, noon and afternoon sight which put me within 6 nm of the actual position, so was quite pleased. Next challenge is a moon sight, but stars and planets are out as the reflection in the oil is too faint. Your book is still a great read and as the blurb said, you got the balance between the mathematical and the by-rote extremes just right!
Thanks Tom! Another great episode. Since we are all stuck at home I’m hoping you have time to answer me a question? I;m getting some new sails made for my 36ft gaff ketch. (New build) I have a copy of your book Hand, Reef, Steer and was wondering should I have the main and mizzen laced to the boom or loose footed? I’m going cross cut and was thinking to lace it. Any knowledge on the pro’s and con’s would be very much appreciated!
That's a question and a half Steve. Email me at tom@tomcunliffe.com and I'll give you my thoughts. Tom
Tom Cunliffe - Yachts and Yarns thanks mate! Will do👍
I got between 35-40
tropical / maritime / marine / coastal
/ nautical / ship / weather
themed hats in my hat collection
I love getting tips from an expert and experienced world cruiser! Thanks. Did you do a different log book for each year? Or just as you ran out of space in one?
Hi. We just carried on from year to year. Couldn't afford new log books every year. We did start a new one when we bought a new boat though. Thanks for watching. Tom
Tom can I ask a silly question, when you have a flag from the end of the gaff, where does that belay to ? On the boom ? Thanks in anticipation. Jim.
Hi Jim. I like to see an ensign flying from the gaff end. Real style. To belay, screw a small cleat to the boom, well inboard and secure the halyard there. One word of advice, don't do what I did more than once and forget to slack away the ensign halyard when shaking out a reef. The cleat goes into orbit! Not a silly question at all. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Thank you very much Tom! No one else has come up with an answer ! I did think that, may screw a cleat underneath the boom. All the best to you.
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Thanks Tom !
Thanks Tom, a bit of salt to keep me going, starting to feel like I've swallowed the hook.
Never falter, Salty. The sea will still be there....Tom
Salt water is one of the most addictive substances on earth.
a Baltimore Skipjack
would be for Oyster Dredging in the
20th century, and well,
the Nathan of Dorchester is one of
only a few that remain today
much like the Scottish Reaper,
the business for fishing boats like
the Clipper Ship style types
was booming in the yester year,
and today just shatters of ol' lost memory
Excellent as always, thank you Tom! On a parallel note, I was training some students on geophysical survey work and nobody seemed to use a notebook or write down the data, preferring to rely on the internal memory of the device. One guy was storing "screenshots" of the GPS locations on his smartphone. I told him "if anybody else wants to look over the data, you will have to give them your phone and they will be looking at the photos of your girlfriend".. He immediately began to use the notebooks they had been provided with!
That's interesting George. Good point. I wonder if she'd have made Page 3?? Tom
Yes, no question the log book is important. With time, position and course recorded, DR becomes a doddle. But there's more than that. If you have elaborated a passage plan, then done the observations Tom recommends, then your insurers are much less likely to quibble if something serious happens.
I quite agree Pete. As an Expert Witness in seamanship matters, I'm shocked at the state of some of the logbooks I've come across. It doesn't impress the insurers. Tom
Lockdown?!? What do you mean? I’m now living in Sweden and I’ve been working on my teak deck renovation all weekend.
By the way, I love my paper logbook.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Warren s/y Legend ⚓️⛵️
Yes me too over here in Norway. I am even going for a sail next weekend. No lockdown :)
Good to hear that someone is able to get on the water, even if we in the UK cannot. The Swedes are so sensible. Good luck with the renovation. Tom
Lucky you! Tom
Log book bit of art sailing a bit of art great fun all the best from buzz #buzzofftoxic
Thanks Buzz. Tom
Wow so u.k. is enforcing you cant go get on your sailboat? I mean N.Y. and L.A. are pretty tight here but everywhere else i can move freely where i want no questions.
That's right. We're still not allowed to go to a boat. My daughter has a 1909 wooden gaff yawl which she can see from the shore, but can't go out and check whether she needs a pump! Drives you nuts. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns that's crazy here in Midwest USA things are closed but my local lake sailing club is still open to sail at your own risk. This shut down is going to kill economies and here we are not taking it 1/2 as seriously
Well that's it my mind is made up.... I will NOT remove the gimbal oil lamp....now you have forever changed my terminology..( swing the lamp).....
Good to hear that Barry. Nothing like the light they give. Tom