How to Create a Log Entry

<h2>How to Create a Log Entry</h2>

<p>A log entry captures the state of your vessel at a specific point in time. KnotWise's log entry form is comprehensive yet fast to complete — especially using the <strong>"Copy from last entry"</strong> function which pre-fills all fields from the previous entry.</p>

<h3>Opening the form</h3>

<p>Inside an active passage, click <strong>"+ Log Entry"</strong>. The Edit Log Entry dialog opens.</p>

<h3>Position</h3>

<ul>

  <li>Date and Time (always in UTC)</li>

  <li>Latitude and Longitude in degrees and decimal minutes, with N/S and E/W toggles</li>

  <li>Use <strong>"Get GPS position"</strong> to capture your device's current GPS coordinates automatically</li>

  <li>Use <strong>"Copy from last entry"</strong> to pre-fill all fields — then update only what has changed</li>

</ul>

<h3>Navigation</h3>

<ul>

  <li>Course True (°) and Course Magnetic (°)</li>

  <li>SOG — Speed Over Ground (kts) and STW — Speed Through Water (kts)</li>

  <li>Distance since last entry (nm)</li>

</ul>

<h3>Wind & Weather</h3>

<ul>

  <li>True and Apparent Wind Direction and Speed</li>

  <li>Beaufort Scale — calculated automatically from wind speed</li>

  <li>Swell Height (m) and Swell Direction (°)</li>

  <li>Sea State (Douglas Scale) — calculated automatically from swell height</li>

  <li>Barometric Pressure (hPa) and Pressure Trend</li>

  <li>Visibility, Temperature (°C), Cloud Cover (Oktas), Weather Description</li>

</ul>

<h3>Sails, Engine & Status</h3>

<ul>

  <li>Sail configuration: Mainsail (Full, R1–R4), Genoa (Full, R1–R3), Staysail (Full, R1–R3), Light Sail (Code 0, Gennaker, Spinnaker) — a visual diagram updates in real time</li>

  <li>Engine Running toggle + Total Engine Hours</li>

  <li>Mooring Status: Underway, At Anchor, Marina, Mooring Buoy, Alongside</li>

  <li>Fuel Level and Water Level (percentage sliders with litre estimate)</li>

</ul>

<h3>Crew</h3>

<p>Select which crew members are on watch for this entry.</p>

<h3>Notes & Attachments</h3>

<p>Add free-text notes and attach photos or documents (JPG, PNG, HEIC, WEBP or PDF).</p>

<h3>Saving</h3>

<p>Click <strong>"Save"</strong> — the entry is stored immediately, even without an internet connection. Learn more about offline capability in <em>Offline Mode — How KnotWise Works at Sea</em>.</p>