Waterproof Notebooks

Ribald · 17 January 2002, 22:26

The “management” has just returned from her dog training club meeting and clasped in the grubby paws (hers not the dog’s) was an Aquascribe waterproof notebook which they have been issued with to make notes; draws tracks; etc. whilst out working the hounds.

I got to thinking that these could be very useful on a RIB for course notes, position reports; drinks orders (by all accounts they don’t smudge even when dunked in a pint as was proved at the pub after the meeting!!!); and communicating with the crew (for those of us who can’t afford hi-tech comms systems).

After a quick Google search, the makers site is www.aquascribe.com They are not cheap but if the GPS goes down then a waterproof hard copy of the course would be more than useful.

Worth a look perhaps as they do send you a nice free sample. They also do waterproof sheets for laser copiers which I imagine could be quite usefull for sea-schools, clubs, etc.

(I hasten to add that I have no interest in this product other from a consumer point of view)

John Kennett · 18 January 2002, 07:55

I've had one of these waterproof notepads for ages, and it's accompanied me on all sorts of cruises. But have I used it? No. Not even once!

Passage notes have been put in plastic sleeves, or laminated if I've felt really keen, and I've not had a lot of call for onboard note taking. If you do want to take notes though, it would be ideal.

The one time it would have been useful was when the costguard reported a boat needing assistance, with it's lat and long. Inevitably there was no chance of getting the notepad out of the locker in time to take down the details.

My answer is to carry a "chinagraph" pencil where it can be easily reached (I've got small dry-boxes installed in front of each seat) and to scribble anything really important on the console!

John

jools · 18 January 2002, 11:44

We used to use waterproof paper in our laser printer to print a large copy of the tide table and to collate our sampling records when I used to work for the NRA on the River Tees.

They seemed to work well and you could still write on them (in pencil) when they were wet

So as John says - if its always the same eg route plans then laminate.

If you need to add notes then the waterproof paper seems to work well

Jools

Allen · 18 January 2002, 14:12

I agree with John, the best place to write is on the console.

I use an ordinary pencil with has softish lead. The problem with chinagraph is that the wooden outer bit unwinds when it gets wet. Although pencil does not write as well as the chinagraph on gelcoat, it is easier to rub it out with a wet finger!

The best way of keeping it to hand is to find a short length of fuel hose, or any tube that the pencil will slide in to, block off one end with a screw or something and cable-tie it somewhere convenient. Saves rooting in a box.

John Kennett · 18 January 2002, 14:27

It is possible to find chinagraph pencils that are made like conventional pencils (ie you need to sharpen them, rather than unwind them), but if an ordinary pencil works that's got to be easier -- I hadn't even thought of it!

John

Allen · 18 January 2002, 14:34

Glad to be of some help ......

John Kennett · 18 January 2002, 17:42

Quote:

Glad to be of some help

Who are you?
What have you done with the real Allen?

John

Jono Garton · 18 January 2002, 18:23

I work as a project manager for a paper merchant. One of my recent projects was tear/water proof paper.

If you want some simply phone your local paper merchant (see yell.com) and ask them for samples.

It actually polypropolene plastic, not paper, but people refir to it as paper.

Jahno

Allen · 19 January 2002, 09:27

John,

Having tried being sensible (despite severe provocation from a well-known spaceman) for a week now, I'm bored stiff.

Normal service will be resumed shortly.

John Kennett · 19 January 2002, 09:34

Jahno

Is this the same stuff that "Tyvek" enveloped are made of? It looks like paper, but is much stronger.

John

Garygee · 19 January 2002, 10:24

Try technical drawing film. its a kind of plastic "paper" and you can draw on it with a pencil when wet, even underwater ! (If you get to that level a prayer book may be better though

). Its sold in big sheets and I just cut it up to make smaller note pads.
It costs £2-3 per big sheet A1 size, and you can make many note pads from it. I even have a small piece stuck to my console, so i dont forget which berth they told me to tie up to etc.

When you have finished with the notes just rub them out. As long as you use a soft pencil it last ages.

Jono Garton · 20 January 2002, 08:57

yes,

Tyvek is Spunwove fibres - Lots of cotton type fibres glued together.

The stuff the notebooks are made from is a Polypropolene Plastic refired to as paper because it available so thin. Whiter & Smoother.

See www.synplas.co.uk - Please don't ask these guys for samples

Regards

Jahno