The CA’s annual Log Competition is a cherished tradition, dating back to 1910 with the first awarding of The Love Cup. Celebrating the best cruising logs of the past season, the competition offers CA members a chance to win prestigious trophies across multiple categories.
Entries for the 2024 Log Competition can be made between 1 October to 31 December 2024, with winners announced in early 2025.
The CA is thrilled to have Julia Jones, renowned author and Yachting Monthly literary editor as this year’s judge. With her extensive experience, Julia brings invaluable expertise to the judging process.
"Why am I looking forward to judging this competition? Certainly not for the picking of winners," Julia said on her role as judge. "My boat, Peter Duck, was built for Arthur Ransome in 1947 and has an almost complete set of logbooks. They range from scruffy exercise books (mine) through carefully recorded observations (my father) to records of particularly memorable voyages so beautifully illustrated that they remind me of medieval manuscripts (Ann Palmer).
"Yes, logbooks are an essential navigational record, but they are also nature notes, to-do lists, friendship books, weather observations and records of achievement -- or aspiration. Every voyage is its own adventure and when you come to look back five, ten or fifty years later, you may discover that what you’ve written is the story of your sailing life.
"Being asked to judge this competition is being invited on board other people’s boats and sharing their adventures. I can tell you in advance that everyone’s a winner."
CA members are encouraged to submit logs of their cruising adventures in written, video or photographic form as per the categories below. From coastal to inland or offshore cruising, the competition aims to showcase the pleasure of cruising, whether a grand adventure or a short jaunt.
The competition is open to all members, with special encouragement for first-time entrants, families, and those under 16.
Trophies will be awarded for the best log in each category:
- Hanson Cup - best log of a cruise - any duration / CA Members
- Love Cup - best log of a cruise of under 30 days' duration / CA Members
- Dugon Cup - best log of a cruise in a vessel of not more than 32’ LOA – any duration / CA Members
- Dingle Cup - best log of a cruise, or story about cruising, by a young person under 16 years of age / CA Members' children
- Yachting World Family Cruising Award - best log of a family cruise, or the most outstanding contribution to family cruising / CA Members
- Dolphin Cup - best photographic log / CA Members
- The Lacey Trophy - best member's website or blog covering cruising in the year / CA Members
- PBO Award – best photographic log of a cruise for the duration of 1 week. The week can be taken from any part of a longer cruise / CA Members. Practical Boat Owner will also present a one-year complimentary magazine subscription to the winner
- Hammett Trophy - best log submitted by crew or skippers who have used the CA's Crewing Service for the voyage being described / CA Members and CA Crewing Service Members
- The osCA - best video log / CA Members
Full details on the competition, tips for making your log stand out and online entry go to www.theca.org.uk/library/logcomp.
Members can view past log entries at www.theca.org.uk/cruising_info/logs and past Log Competition winners at www.theca.org.uk/about/awards.
About Julia Jones
Julia Jones is the literary editor of Yachting Monthly and also writes for Marine Quarterly, Practical Boat Owner and Classic Boat. She has sailed on the River Deben in Suffolk since she was born and now edits the bi-annual River Deben Association magazine. Julia is a former bookseller as well as a publisher and writer. Her works include the ‘Strong Winds’ series, illustrated by Claudia Myatt and Uncommon Courage: the Yachtsmen Volunteers of WW2 which was shortlisted for the 2022 Mountbatten Best Book Award. Her new book, Stars to Steer By: celebrating C20th women who went to sea, will be published by Adlard Coles in April 2025.
Julia has also frequently captivated CA members and guests with her insightful talks, hosted by various CA Sections.
Website: golden-duck.co.uk/julia-jones
Twitter: @GoldenDuck_ltd
1 October 2024