How to Create a Log Entry

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 «Copy from last entry», which pre-fills all fields from the previous entry so you only update what has changed.

Starting a new entry

Open an active passage, then tap or click «+ Log Entry». The Edit Log Entry dialog opens.

Fields reference

Position

• Date and time (always in UTC)
• Latitude and longitude in degrees and decimal minutes, with N/S and E/W toggles
• Tap or click «Get GPS position» to capture your device's current GPS coordinates automatically
• Tap or click «Copy from last entry» to pre-fill all fields — then update only what has changed

Navigation

• Course True (°) and Course Magnetic (°)
• SOG — Speed Over Ground (kts) and STW — Speed Through Water (kts)
• Distance since last entry (nm)

Wind and weather

• True and apparent wind direction and speed
• Beaufort Scale — calculated automatically from wind speed
• Swell height (m) and swell direction (°)
• Sea state (Douglas Scale) — calculated automatically from swell height
• Barometric pressure (hPa) and pressure trend
• Visibility, temperature (°C), cloud cover (Oktas), weather description

Sails, engine and status

• 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
• Engine running toggle and total engine hours
• Mooring status: Underway, At Anchor, Marina, Mooring Buoy, Alongside
• Fuel level and water level (percentage sliders with litre estimate)

Crew

Select which crew members are on watch for this entry.

Notes and attachments

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

Saving your entry

Tap or click «Save» — the entry is stored immediately, even without an internet connection. See Offline mode — how KnotWise works at sea for details on how data is stored and synced.