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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧Independent or Oblivious?

Published on June 23, 2020; last updated on October 31, 2023 by Nica Waters

Cruising appears to be a totally independent lifestyle. It’s not.

🎧 April Shopping Brings May Yummies

Published on June 16, 2020; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Going shopping once every 6 weeks is a bit like stocking up for a passage.

🎧Tips on Using eBay Confidently

Published on June 9, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Simple hacks to help ensure you get the best deals you can on EBay.

🎧DIY Weights

Published on June 2, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

With a little imagination, the right weights for your workout are just a cabinet-open away.

🎧Inspired by Tomatoes

Published on May 26, 2020; last updated on May 17, 2023 by Nica Waters

You see a simple can; I see a cookbook of possibilities. Learn some of my favorite ways to use canned tomatoes.

🎧Cheater Tongue and Groove

Published on May 19, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Finding commercial options sometimes isn’t possible. Learn how we managed a very doable DIY finish for our refit!

🎧Provisioning Lesson

Published on May 12, 2020; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Nica Waters

Stocking up with food can be expensive. Don’t be tempted to only buy in bulk.

🎧February 2020 Cruising Prep Expenses

Published on May 5, 2020; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

Tracking numbers (dollars and hours of time) as we get ready for our extended cruise. There is a lot that goes into preparation.

🎧Delays Associated With Decision Creep

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

Make one decision about a boat project and a few others reveal their heads. Follow along with the realities of cruising prep!

🎧Life Questions From Heart Surgery

Published on April 21, 2020; last updated on May 23, 2023 by Nica Waters

Hospital whiteboard communication provided ample fodder for conversation and thinking.

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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

A man and woman wearing 2Talk Bluetooth marine intercom headsets — known as "Marriage Savers" — on a boat in a marina, both with behind-the-neck headbands and boom microphones positioned at their mouths.

Boat Communication Headsets: The Marriage Savers

July 24, 2026

Good headsets transform the most stressful moments aboard. Here’s why they’re essential gear and what we actually use.

Doing the design and installation work on our DIY vinyl boat name lettering was easier than we expected and VERY cost-effective!

Why We DIY on the Boat

July 24, 2026

Saving money is just one of the reasons we do most work on our boat ourselves. Learn the other reasons we prefer to do things ourselves.

Boat hull on the hard showing ground-out area being filled in with fiberglass and epoxy

Filling In a Thru-Hull: What We Wish We’d Known

July 23, 2026

We filled in two thru-hulls and learned a lot the hard way. Here’s everything we wish someone had told us before we started.

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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