I created a Maintenance Log in Excel. It's really pretty simple and straight forward. In some cases, I also insert a pic of the job or item added.

I have kept a running document in MS Word since I bought the boat in 2003.

First lines have the Hull ID, Date Purchased, Engine Hour Reading, Insurance Policy#, and USCG Doc#.

Then it is by year, by month with a list of projects (routine maintenance, engine repairs, and additions (sails, radio, etc.)). Some projects have more notes, but typically a sentence or two is all I use. If it is a part or component, I will put the number in the file for refference.

In January of each year I add in the engine hour reading.

If I do anything noteworthy, I will add it in when I get back from the boat.

This is running about 6 pages since 2003.

I do not keep costs in my doc.

I also keep a picture file on the PC of every time the boat is hauled.

Hope this helps...

Please update your signature.

I have kept a log and general info file in MSExcel. I'll attached it. It is broken down into pages for engine, general maintenance and othe miscellaneous info. I keep hard copies on the boat and update as necessary. The fuel log is also part of the log.

Everybody has their own way of doing things.

Regards,

Lou

Since I don't keep a computer on my boat, and since once I've finished a job I want to note it immediately (before I forget), I simply write it down in a little notebook that I keep aboard. That also makes it easy to look back and see when I last changed the oil, etc.

We have three simple logs

1. Engine log: blank with lines (created simply by a spreadsheet) to be filled out by hand, kept in three ring binder on the boat. Includes date, time, engine hours, and a BIG Remarks column, with page # at the bottom right. When I finish each page, I bring the originals home, convert to PDFs and bring the copies back to the boat, originals stay at home. We're up to page 14 in a tad over 11 years.

2. Fuel ONLY log: Spreadsheet with date, engine hours, amount of fuel and cost, and the spreadsheet calculates the amount of fuel used in hours per gallon and gallons per hour, with projections for next fill based on 1/2 gallon per hour. Whenever I fuel up, I write down the stats, bring them home, update the spreadsheet, and put it back in the boat book. Separated fuel from engine log 'cuz the fuel log does calculations.

3. Inventory: This is a big spreadsheet that has EVERYTHING I ever put on the boat in alphabetical order, date, cost, source, serial numbers, and another big Remarks column to add other important info. The end of the spreadsheet also includes all fuel filter conversions and other handy "one time great information" stuff.

We also have a daily sailing log for less "technical" stuff.

The trick to all of this is Discipline. You just have to maintain it, or lose all credibility, and usefulness of the information.

Everybody has their own forms. Find or make one that works for you.

Keeping the records to begin with was a GREAT start! :)

I would like to revive this thread from 16yrs ago.

I’m currently squinting at a 35-year-old 'mystery' logbook for my 1985 hull and realizing I can't even read my own recent handwriting. There is a 30-year period with massive gaps from previous owners, where the history is a total black box, and even my own entries aren't as complete as I'd like. I'm currently stuck halfway between the traditional paper log and an Excel sheet.

How are you logging things (both sailing and maintenance) in 2026? Since I almost always have a phone, tablet, or PC on hand, I’m considering committing to a digital system. Are you using dedicated apps like Yachtwave, sticking to a custom spreadsheet for technical specs, or have you found a way to make paper actually work for you? I’m curious to see what everyone has adopted to keep their vessel shipshape.

Check out Saillogger (an app or at Saillogger.com). It is a complete logging system built by a fellow sailor who saw the need. Subscription is $5 a month. It has a maintenance log tab that looks good (I use an older separate excel sheet for maintenance though).
I use it for the ships log.  It automatically tracks, records and maintains the database for everytime the boat moves. It can be shared as a real time tracker for family or a personal webpage (with cell phone or starlink connection) and probably does a dozen things I haven't tried yet.
Since I'm on the boat all the time I depend on it and find myself checking tracks, ports, anchorages from previous seasons all the time. It is a very nice product.