CA announces winners of the 2025 CA Log Competition

On 25 March 2026, the Cruising Association announced the winners of its annual Log Competition, celebrating the most compelling stories of inland, coastal and offshore voyages from the past cruising season.

Dating back to 1910 with the introduction of the Love Cup, the CA Log Competition recognises members’ cruising adventures across a range of categories. More than a retrospective of memorable passages, the competition reflects the CA’s long-standing tradition of sharing knowledge, experience and inspiration within the cruising community.

The 2025 winners were presented with their awards by Robin Baron, CA President and acclaimed author and Log Competition judge Dick Durham. The presentation followed the annual Hanson Lecture, delivered by Dick on ‘Confessions of a Cruising Correspondent’, where he reflected on a lifetime of sailing, from his early years on the water to a distinguished career afloat.

This year’s entries once again captured the essence of life on the water, from quiet moments of reflection to testing conditions and hard-earned successes. The breadth and quality of submissions highlighted not only the diversity of cruising experiences, but also the depth of knowledge and storytelling within the CA community.

Dick Durham, who reviewed and judged the entries, commented, "Leafing through the logs of sailors I'd never met is a voyeuristic experience and as I panned through the thoughts and fears of human beings at sea it occurred to me how much more revealing is a log compared with a diary. The sea is a great lie detector, as well as leveller, acting as a truth serum on the conscience of the sailor. It is no place for grand standing, buffoonery or boastfulness. It is a place for celestial measurement, or if you can't use a sextant, a place to at least thank your lucky stars."

2025 Log Competition Winners

Hanson Cup - Log of the Year awarded at the judge’s discretion / Andrew Hunter Boyd Holmes

Log Title: Aground on Rocks in North Bay, Isle of Barra, during the CCA Western Isles Cruise
Judge’s comments: "Boyd’s candid account of Blue Damsel’s grounding and lifeboat rescue in the Western Isles is a masterclass in honesty, preparation, and understanding the realities of what can go wrong at sea.”"

Lacey Trophy - Extended Cruise Log of >30 consecutive days / Mark Sweetnam

Log Title: Two Summers in Norway
Judge’s comments: "Mark’s log captures Norway’s wild northern fjords and Arctic adventures with vivid detail, practical insight, and pioneering spirit, offering both a fascinating read and an essential cruising guide."

Love Cup - Short Cruise Log of <30 consecutive days / Claire Herrington

Log Title: Circumnavigating the UK - Sailing to St Kilda
Judge’s comments: "Claire’s film of St Kilda and UK circumnavigation inspires with calm, seamanlike commentary, careful weather planning, and understated imagery of a far-flung, iconic destination. Her film lures the archipelago out of our dreams and into the reality of the possible."

Dugon Cup - Small Boat Cruise Log on boats ≥34’ LOA / Julian and Alison Cable

Log Title: Cruising the Hebrides. Stornoway to Tobermory
Judge’s comments: "Alison and Julian’s voyage in an 88-year-old gaffer captures the wild Hebrides with evocative simplicity - fog, calm, sudden breezes, wildlife, and honest, resourceful cruising that celebrates quiet adventure."

PBO Award - Photographic Log / Emma Fletcher

Log Title: From the west coast of Scotland to the Norwegian Arctic
Judge’s comments: "Emma shares breathtaking Arctic and Scottish voyages, blending adventure, wildlife, and ingenious use of technology, capturing the thrill and beauty of life afloat to produce best pictures I have ever seen of northern waters."

The PBO Award winner also receive a one-year subscription to Practical Boat Owner.

New Horizons Trophy - Debut Log for first-time entrants / Richard Tucker

Log Title: Biscay Adventures for the Unadventurous
Judge’s comments: "Richard’s cruise across the Bay of Biscay blends humour, humility, and detailed navigation, celebrating adventure within comfort limits and showing that extraordinary cruising is possible without daring recklessness."

Generations at Sea Trophy - Family Cruising Log / Beau Cooper

Log Title: Sailing around the UK with my family
Judge’s comments: "Beau’s log impresses with meticulous navigation, insightful observations, and personal reflection, charting a remarkable round-Britain voyage with skill, curiosity, and engaging storytelling."

Special Mention

Dick also gave special mention to Tom Henderson’s log, ‘Brittany July & August 2025’, featuring a dramatic rescue at sea alongside practical cruising insights.

Members can read each of the winning logs via the links above, or explore all entries from the 2025 Log Competition, as well as previous years, in the Cruise Logs section of the CA members’ website.

Winners being presented with their cup/trophy with Log Competition judge, Dick Durham and CA President, Robin Baron

Hanson Cup winner Andrew Hunter Boyd Holmes

Dugon Cup winner Alison Cable

Generations at Sea Trophy winner Beau Cooper

Love Cup winner Claire Herrington

New Horizons Trophy winner Richard Tucker

Special Mention Tom Henderson

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to the 2026 Log Competition, members are encouraged to record their notes of passages and capturing the moments that define their time afloat this season.

Whether a short coastal cruise or an extended offshore adventure, every log has the potential to inform and inspire others. Entries for the 2026 CA Log Competition open on 1 October 2026. Now is the perfect time to start preparing your story.