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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧 Boatcards and Memories

Published on January 19, 2021; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Packing up the house to sell unearthed a lot of memories from our first cruise. In the form of boat cards.

🎧Sunglasses

Published on January 12, 2021; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Looking for a good set of boat sunglasses? Look at features and not just the price.

🎧Forced Flexibility

Published on January 5, 2021; last updated on May 17, 2023 by Nica Waters

Realizing I need a general plan to look forward to was a change for me. Understanding what that meant was helpful to Jeremy.

🎧Appreciating Family

Published on December 29, 2020; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

Gratitude expressed for something I once took for granted.

🎧Winter Cover for a Boat

Published on December 22, 2020; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Nica Waters

How to make a winter boat cover. DIY project with all the details and links to materials.

🎧Balancing Work and Play

Published on December 15, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Getting stuck in the “work all the time” mode is not ideal. Days when you both work AND play are the best!

🎧Bucking the System by Working the System

Published on December 8, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

College acceptance letters provide the springboard for a reflection on how to get what you want.

🎧 Space Shifting for Projects

Published on December 1, 2020; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

When working on house flooring reminds me that boat life skills apply even on land.

🎧Why Keep the Boat?

Published on November 24, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

A standard question is asked and answered. In the most raw form yet.

🎧Quantity Conundrum, Resolved

Published on November 17, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

A curry dinner leads to soul searching on how much to stock when we go cruising.

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Welcome

Carolyn Shearlock

Hi! I'm Carolyn Shearlock. My husband and I have been living on a boat and cruising over 17 years and 13,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and then on a 34' Gemini catamaran. Along the way, we sold pretty much everything we owned (twice!), gained a great boat dog, had a bunch of wonderful times and some adventures . . . and learned a ton about what does and doesn't work!

How Can We Help You?

I'm curious about the cruising life What is it, who does it, and what's it really like day to day?
I'm tempted — but is it realistic for my situation? My budget, my health, my partner, my life, my skills (or lack thereof)
I'm getting ready to go Buying a boat, getting insurance, planning to move aboard
I'm aboard and navigating the learning curve How do I make it the life I dreamed of?

Latest Articles & Podcasts

Easy Hack for Filling Boat Water Tanks

June 4, 2026

Do you fill your water tanks from 5-gallon containers – either jerry cans or purchased water? This easy hack for filling boat water tanks makes it simple.

Silhouettes of people watching the sunset - sunset traditions

Should I Go Cruising?

June 2, 2026

Should I go cruising on my own boat? here are seven important topics to consider in deciding if living on a boat is for you.

How to Avoid Bad Sailing Days

May 31, 2026

Had a trip from hell and wondering if this is really what you want to be doing for “fun?” Future trips will almost certainly be better – here’s why.

Living on a boat

There's no shortage of sailing and navigation courses. But who teaches you how to provision, store everything, stay cool, prep for hurricanes, and actually live on a boat? We do.

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11 courses covering every aspect of life afloat — from deciding if cruising is right for you, to moving aboard, provisioning, storage, tiny fridges, VHF radio, hurricane prep, cruising the Bahamas, boat dogs, and more.

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