• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • New? Start Here
  • Articles
    • WHAT IS CRUISING?
    • COULD I CRUISE?
    • GETTING READY TO GO
    • FIRST YEAR REALITY
    • Preparing to Cruise
    • Buying a Boat & Gear
    • Living on a Boat
    • Food & Cooking
    • Cruising & Chartering
    • Boat Work
    • Worries & Concerns
  • Cruising Guides
  • Courses
  • TBG on Amazon
    • Our Products on Amazon
    • Other Recommended Products on Amazon
  • Course Login
  • Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
    • Cruising Guides
    • Courses
    • Books & References

The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧Choosing a Virtual Mailbox

Published on September 1, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Laying out the process we used when choosing who would handle our mail.

🎧Multiple Avenues To Getting Rid of Stuff

Published on August 25, 2020; last updated on May 23, 2023 by Nica Waters

Our recent move made me explore all kinds of places with an eye to reducing our “things” load. 

🎧The Loss of a Giant

Published on August 18, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

What Larry Pardey and his wife, Lin, and their writings mean to us as cruisers and Bristol Channel Cutter owners. We’re all richer for his having been here. 

🎧Grinding Down Fiberglass

Published on August 11, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

6 tips for making fiberglass removal easier. It’s not all in the tools! Links: Shop-vac (Amazon) Tyvek suit (Amazon) Respirator (Amazon) Duct tape (Amazon) Sanding pad for drill (Amazon) 40-grit sandpaper (Amazon) Nica email Carolyn email Prefer to read? Check out Grinding Down Fiberglass.

🎧Preparation is Preparation

Published on August 4, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Some coronavirus questions are a good start to cruising questions, particularly around provisioning.

🎧Real Life?

Published on July 28, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

In which I explain why I’m tired of hearing people tell me my life on the boat isn’t really real.

🎧Deciding on Lithiums

Published on July 21, 2020; last updated on May 17, 2023 by Nica Waters

A brief overview of boat energy systems and how we settled on lithium batteries.

🎧Cruising for the Sandwich Generation

Published on July 14, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Are we truly the sandwich generation? If so, is that a bad thing?

🎧Awesome Sailing Movie

Published on July 7, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Finding a movie that keeps my attention is not easy. This one, featuring a sister ship to our own Calypso, definitely fits the bill!

🎧My New Wallet

Published on July 3, 2020; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

When we visited Totem in Panama, I didn’t expect to take home an art form as a way to carry around a credit card or cash.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 21
  • Page 22
  • Page 23
  • Page 24
  • Page 25
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 36
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

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

Is Your Lifesling Ready For Use? Are you SURE?

June 17, 2026

Someday, your life or the life of someone you love may depend on a Lifesling. How to make sure it will deply correctly.

A hurricane seen from space, the kind of storm a boat hurricane plan prepares your boat to survive

A Boat Hurricane Plan That Actually Protects Your Boat

June 13, 2026

Your insurer wants a hurricane plan. Here’s how to write one that does more than satisfy them: one that gives your boat its best chance.

Water Usage on a Boat

June 11, 2026

How much water do cruisers typically use? And how do they use it? Here’s what you need to know before you head out on a longer trip!

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.

Master Life Aboard with
Our All-Access Pass

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.

$519  $199  SAVE 62%

See the All-Access Pass →

Prefer just one topic? Browse individual courses

About · Privacy · Terms of Service · Contact · © 2010–2026 The Boat Galley, LLC. All Rights Reserved.'
  • Questions? Click to Email Me
  • Visit Our Store