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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧Women Who Sail

Published on February 4, 2020; last updated on May 17, 2023 by Nica Waters

Lessons learned from the movie Maiden, about being a woman who sails and the importance of community.

🎧Three Butyl Tape Tips

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

Lessons on using butyl tape learned from installing our bulkhead compass

🎧Defining “Cruising”

Published on January 21, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

What is this “living on a boat” lifestyle called by those of us who live it?

🎧Wistful Bahamas Dreaming

Published on January 14, 2020; last updated on January 31, 2026 by Nica Waters

Photos and memories combine with sadness at what’s lost in the Bahamas in the wake of Dorian.

🎧Engine Winterizing – a Primer

Published on December 31, 2019; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

How and why we flush our diesel engine with anti-freeze each year.

🎧 Dear Dan Spurr

Published on December 24, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

A boat work book’s story of a super fast renovation brings more questions than answers.

🎧 Anniversary Presents for Cruisers

Published on December 17, 2019; last updated on September 29, 2024 by Nica Waters

Whether you’re celebrating years of marriage or the age of the boat, having a theme for gifts is welcome!

🎧Grieving and Celebrating

Published on December 5, 2019; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Dropping a kid off at college is both an end and a beginning, for all of us. Learn why that matters to cruising.

🎧Stocking Up

Published on December 3, 2019; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

Just because I can buy certain items just about anywhere I go, I still search out local versions and buy in quantity.Yes, this means beer!

🎧5 Ways Vermont is Like Cruising

Published on November 26, 2019; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Life in a tiny town in the far reaches of Northeastern Vermont is remarkably like cruising. Learn why and how!

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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.

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

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