On 26 March 2025, the Cruising Association announced the winners of its annual Log Competition, celebrating the most captivating stories of inland, coastal and offshore voyages from the past cruising season.
The CA Log Competition, which dates back to 1910 with The Love Cup, honours members' cruising adventures across a variety of categories. More than just a retrospective of memorable voyages, the Log Competition highlights the importance of sharing experiences and inspiring fellow sailors.
The 2024 winners were presented with their awards by Robin Baron, CA President, Katy Stickland, Editor of Practical Boat Owner, and acclaimed author and Log Competition judge Julia Jones. The awards presentation followed the annual Hanson Lecture, delivered by Katy Stickland.
Entitled 'The Future of Cruising', Katy’s thought-provoking presentation explored the challenges and opportunities facing the cruising community in the years ahead.
Celebrating Cruising
The evening showcased a diverse range of fascinating logs, with this year's entries once again capturing the essence of life on the water – moments of challenge, discovery and triumph.
Julia Jones, who reviewed and judged the entries, shared her thoughts, saying, "Thank you for asking me to judge this competition, it was both interesting and an honour. I said previously that being asked to read other people’s logs is like being invited on board their boats and taking a share in their adventures. And so, it proved."
2024 Log Competition Winners
Hanson Cup - best log of any duration / James Kenning
Log Title: From the Med to the Caribbean via Orca Alley, the Canaries and Cape Verde
Judge's comments: "James’ presentation was outstanding, particularly the chartlets for each stage and I appreciated his candour in costing the new equipment he bought when preparing for the cruise. His photos were also well-chosen."
Love Cup - best log of under 30 days' duration / Steve Rowley
Log Title: First cruise after a 30-year break!
Judge's comments: "Steve had a few days sailing alone on the Blackwater estuary after 30 years away from the water and vividly conveys the range of emotion and excitement attainable in such a mini-adventure. As a reader I felt fully involved and wish him well for next season."
Hammett Trophy - best log submitted by crew or skippers who have used the CA Crewing Service / Camilla Herrmann
Log Title: Sailing around Britain in memory of Sam
Judge's comments: "Camilla was a worthy winner, as she shared the challenges, triumphs and profound fulfilment of her journey. A wonderful story of friendship, as Camilla was supported by friends and family, along with many faces from the Crewing Service."
Dugon Cup - best log in a vessel not more than 32’ LOA of any duration / Alison and Julian Cable
Log Title: Cruise or delivery trip? The Clyde to Ullapool in 8 days
Judge's comments: "Alison’s writing includes both Julian and ‘Robinetta’ with the ease of true teamwork. A worthy winner of the Dugon Cup. Her differentiation between a cruise and a delivery trip was well thought out. I enjoyed her realism, such as, ‘Ten miles is a very short distance, but it was more than enough for today."
Dolphin Cup - best photographic log / Cath Bruzzone
Log Title: Sailing round the Gulf of Taranto
Judge's comments: "Cath’s subjects were varied; her photos told a story and involved the reader. The clinching image for me, however, was the illustration how to top up diesel from a can without letting a drop fall in the water. Cath might have decided to focus on people (there’s a very good self-portrait), or on harbour views (an impressive mock castle from the Mussolini era) or curiosities (bizarre crabs) but this apparently simple photo conveyed important information clearly and neatly, in quite a different way from the verbal explanation."
Yachting World Family Cruising Award - The best log of a family cruise / Boyd Holmes
Log Title: Circumnavigation of the Isle of Mull in July 2024 with 12-year-old twin grandsons
Judge's comments: "Boyd’s log captures generational camaraderie and the joy of shared discovery."
The osCA - best video / Graham Keating
Log Title: The Channel Islands and Brittany 2024
Judge's comments: "Graham’s video showed his skilful use of video and good integration of talk, charts and the feeling of being at sea."
PBO Award – best photographic log of one week / Peter Rogers
Log Title: Round and round - and round again: the enduring appeal of our coasts
Judge's comments: "Peter’s log included a wonderful series of photos going up the East Coast of England. He won my heart with this single sentence: ‘You don’t stop sailing when you get old, you get old when you stop sailing’."
The PBO Award winners also receive a one-year subscription to Practical Boat Owner.
The Lacey Trophy - best website or blog covering cruising / Peter Dann
Log Title: Through Orca Alley to the Med for summer cruising of the Balearics
Judge's comments: "Despite his own prediction, ‘this blog is unlikely to win any awards’, Peter’s outstanding quality was readability: he entertained me, educated me and certainly made me feel I was a welcome guest on his adventure. His photos were excellent and he included sufficient chart screenshots and geographical description to ensure full comprehension for readers who might not necessarily be sailors."
Members can read the winning logs and all entries from the 2024 Log Competition, along with past editions, on the member website's Cruise Logs section
©James Kenning: one of the images from his Hanson Cup winning log
1 April 2025