RYA Logbook: Digital vs Paper - Which Format is Best?

You're sitting in the chandlery staring at RYA-branded paper logbooks. They're expensive (£15-20), look old-fashioned, and you know half your sailing friends use mobile apps instead. But you're working towards Yachtmaster, and you've heard conflicting advice about whether digital logbooks are accepted for RYA exams.

One instructor says "The RYA only accepts paper logbooks signed by skippers." Another sailor insists "I did my Yachtmaster exam with a printed PDF from SailTies, totally fine." A third claims "Charter companies won't accept digital logbooks without verification."

So which is it? Digital or paper? Does the RYA officially accept electronic sailing logbooks? And if you choose digital, which format is best for RYA qualifications and charter applications?

This guide settles the debate with facts, compares digital vs paper logbook pros and cons, and helps you choose the right format for your sailing goals.

Short answer: Yes, the RYA accepts digital logbooks for Yachtmaster exams and qualification tracking.

Long answer: The RYA doesn't mandate specific logbook format (paper vs digital). What matters is that your logbook contains required information and can be verified.

Official RYA Position on Logbook Format

From RYA Yachtmaster scheme syllabus and training notes:

Translation: The RYA doesn't care if you use paper, app, or spreadsheet, as long as you can prove your experience with verifiable records.

What RYA Examiners Actually Want to See

Regardless of format (paper or digital), your logbook must demonstrate:

Why the Confusion About Digital Logbooks?

The confusion stems from three factors:

1. Physical skipper signatures

When you crew on someone else's boat, the skipper signs your logbook confirming passage details and your role. Physical signatures carry psychological weight with examiners and charter companies; harder to forge than digital confirmations.

2. Training centre stamps

RYA training centres stamp paper logbooks when you complete courses (Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, First Aid). These stamps prove qualifications even if you lose original certificates.

3. No technology dependency

Works in all conditions (no battery, no signal, no app crashes). You can log passages while sailing without phone/tablet access.

4. Traditional examiner comfort

Older RYA examiners are accustomed to paper logbooks and may review them faster/more favourably than digital exports. Less risk of format compatibility issues.

5. Single authoritative record

One physical book contains your complete sailing history. No risk of cloud sync issues, account lockouts, or platform discontinuation erasing your records.

1. Manual calculation errors

Adding up thousands of miles, hundreds of skipper days, counting passages over 60NM, all done manually with calculator. Easy to make errors that understate or overstate qualifying miles.

2. Time-consuming data entry

After every passage, you must write details by hand, calculate distance, request skipper signature. Time investment: 10-15 minutes per passage.

3. Loss/damage risk

Lose the logbook, lose your entire sailing record. Water damage, theft, or misplacement destroys years of qualification evidence. No backup unless you photograph every page.

4. Difficult to share/export

Charter companies request logbook copies: you must photograph or scan every page, or mail physical book (risk of loss). No easy PDF export.

5. Limited analysis

Want to know "How many of my miles were as skipper?" or "How many passages were offshore vs coastal?" Manual counting through hundreds of entries. No automatic reporting.

6. Bulky and inconvenient

Paper logbook must be carried on every sail. Easy to forget, leave on boat, or accumulate multiple logbooks creating fragmented records.

1. Automatic GPS tracking

Start passage recording when departing, stop on arrival. App tracks route, calculates distance, records timestamps automatically. No manual distance calculation or chartwork required.

2. Zero calculation errors

System automatically totals miles, skipper days, passages over 60NM, overnight passages. Instant progress reports towards RYA Yachtmaster qualifying criteria. Eliminates manual arithmetic mistakes.

3. Cloud backup

Every passage automatically backed up to cloud storage. Lose your phone? Log in on new device and all records sync. No risk of catastrophic data loss from physical damage.

4. Easy export and sharing

Export entire logbook to PDF with one click. Email to charter companies, RYA examiners, or insurance brokers. Print if needed. Share specific passages with crew or boat owners.

5. Rich media logging

Add photos, GPS track overlays, weather data, crew notes to passages. Creates comprehensive record beyond what paper logbooks allow.

6. Intelligent analysis

Automatic reports: "You've logged 2,234 miles with 42 days as skipper. You need 8 more skipper days and 1 more 60NM passage for Yachtmaster qualifying criteria."

7. Multi-boat tracking

If you sail different yachts (club boats, friend's boats, charter), digital logbooks track all boats in one system. Paper logbooks get confusing with multiple boats.

8. Always accessible

No need to carry physical logbook. Access from phone anywhere (internet connection permitting). Log passages retrospectively if you forget to record immediately.

1. Verification challenges

Digital logbook entries are self-reported. No physical skipper signature. Charter companies and examiners may question authenticity without verification system.

2. Technology dependency

Requires smartphone/tablet with GPS and battery. If technology fails mid-passage, tracking stops. App compatibility issues or platform changes can cause problems.

3. Platform discontinuation risk

If the app company goes out of business, you may lose access to records. Export regularly to PDF backup.

4. Learning curve

Takes time to learn app interface, understand features, set up passage templates. Older sailors may find this frustrating compared to simple paper logbook.

5. Training centre stamps

Digital logbooks can't receive physical training centre stamps. You must keep course completion certificates separately or photograph stamps from paper documentation.

6. Subscription costs

Most digital logbooks charge annual subscriptions (£20-40/year). Paper logbooks are one-time purchase.

Strategy 1: Digital Primary + Paper Backup for Courses

How it works:

• Use digital logbook (SailTies, Crew the Boat) for all passage logging
• Maintain small paper logbook only for RYA course stamps
• When completing Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, First Aid, etc., have training centre stamp paper logbook
• Keep paper logbook safe at home (not carried on boat)

Advantages:

• Get automatic GPS tracking and analysis from digital platform
• Preserve training centre stamps in physical format
• Minimal paper logbook pages needed (only courses, not every passage)

Best for: Sailors who want digital convenience but value physical course stamps.

Strategy 2: Digital Logging + Periodic Paper Export

How it works:

• Log all passages digitally throughout the year
• Every 6-12 months, export digital logbook to PDF and print
• Store printed PDF in binder as backup
• Bring printed logbook to RYA exam along with digital access

Advantages:

• Cloud backup protects against loss
• Printed backup provides examiner-friendly format
• Best of both worlds for exam presentation

Best for: Sailors preparing for RYA Yachtmaster exam who want belt-and-braces approach.

Strategy 3: Paper During Training, Digital Post-Qualification

How it works:

• Use paper logbook during RYA course progression (Day Skipper → Coastal Skipper → Yachtmaster prep)
• Collect training centre stamps and physical signatures
• After passing Yachtmaster, switch to digital logbook for ongoing passage logging
• Retain paper logbook as historical record

Advantages:

• Satisfies traditional training centres preferring paper during courses
• Switch to convenient digital format once qualifications complete
• Paper logbook becomes qualification proof archive

Best for: Sailors in active RYA training who plan long sailing career post-qualification.

Choose Paper Logbook If...

• You're completing RYA courses at traditional training centre (they prefer paper for stamps)
• You're uncomfortable with smartphone apps or have limited tech skills
• You sail infrequently (few passages per year, manual logging not burdensome)
• You sail boats without mobile signal or GPS (remote cruising, ocean passages)
• You prefer traditional record-keeping and don't mind manual calculations
• You're over 60 and find digital platforms frustrating

Choose Digital Logbook If...

• You sail frequently (weekly or monthly passages)
• You're working towards RYA Yachtmaster and want automatic qualifying miles tracking
• You want progress dashboards showing exactly what you need for next qualification
• You apply to charter companies or sailing jobs (easy PDF export valuable)
• You sail multiple boats and want unified tracking
• You value cloud backup and loss protection
• You're comfortable with smartphone apps
• You want GPS track overlays and detailed passage analytics

Choose Hybrid Approach If...

• You're completing RYA courses but want digital convenience for regular logging
• You value physical training centre stamps but prefer digital passage tracking
• You want belt-and-braces backup (both digital and printed records)
• You're preparing for RYA exam and want to present both formats

For Budget-Conscious Sailors: SailTies (Free Tier Available)

Best for: Casual sailors wanting basic GPS tracking without subscription cost

Features:

• Automatic GPS passage recording
• Photo logging and crew notes
• Export to PDF
• Free tier (limited passages, basic features)
• Paid tier available (unlimited passages, cloud backup)

Limitations:

• Mobile-only (no web interface)
• No automatic RYA qualifying criteria tracking
• No verification system

Recommendation: Good entry-level digital logbook, but upgrade to Pro or switch to Crew the Boat when approaching Yachtmaster exam.

For Active Multi-Boat Sailors: Smartboatia (paid subscription)

Best for: Sailors managing multiple boats or detailed analytics

Features:

• Web + mobile interface
• Multi-boat tracking
• Crew sharing (invite crew to confirm passages)
• Export formats (PDF, CSV, Excel)
• Voyage planning integration

Limitations:

• No free tier (paid only)
• Less intuitive GPS tracking than SailTies
• No RYA-specific qualifying criteria tracking
• No verification system

Recommendation: Solid choice for active sailors who value web interface, but lacks RYA-optimised features.

For RYA Qualification Tracking: Crew the Boat (£10/month Pro)

Best for: Sailors working towards RYA qualifications and charter positions

Features:

• Automatic RYA qualifying miles tracking (first platform to identify Yachtmaster criteria automatically)
• Progress dashboard: Shows exactly what you need for next qualification
• Verification system: Skipper references and boat owner confirmation
• Verified logbook export: PDF with verification badges accepted by examiners and charter companies
• Integrated with sailing CV: Logbook data populates your verified sailing profile
• Web + mobile interface

Limitations:

• Not yet launched (coming Q1 2026)
• Requires Pro membership (£10/month, includes logbook, verification, and profile features)

Recommendation: Best choice for sailors serious about RYA qualifications and charter work. Verification feature creates insurance-ready logbook that stands out in charter applications.

Early access: Join the waitlist (coming Q1 2026)