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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧 How to Provision for a Long Passage in an Unfamiliar Place

Published on April 5, 2025; last updated on March 30, 2025 by Nica Waters

Silhouette of man repairing sailboat rigging - how to provision for a long passage

Do you know how to provision for a Long passage? How about from an unfamiliar location. Here are my best tips.

🎧How to Feed the Crew for a Panama Canal Transit

Published on March 22, 2025; last updated on April 1, 2025 by Nica Waters

Catamaran tied to a small boat - how to feed the crew for a Panama Canal transit

Wondering how to feed the crew for a Panama Canal transit? We have all the tips you need and specifics you won’t find anywhere else.

🎧Enter the Discomfort Zone (when moving onto a boat and cruising)

Published on March 8, 2025; last updated on April 30, 2026 by Nica Waters

Three women smiling

Moving onto a boat and starting to cruise has a steep learning curve. But Nica and Carolyn have some advice to make it more manageable.

🎧 Transiting the Panama Canal on a Small Boat

Published on February 22, 2025; last updated on February 16, 2025 by Nica Waters

Smiling people on a boat in the Panama canal - transiting the Panama Canal in a small sailboat

Transiting the Panama Canal on a small boat takes planning, paperwork, and money. Learn the specifics from one cruisers who did it on her sailboat.

🎧How to Balance Fun with Boat Work

Published on February 8, 2025; last updated on February 2, 2025 by Nica Waters

Person in straw hat working on boat bottom - how to balance fun with boat work

Trying to figure out how to balance fun with boat work? Two experienced cruisers have just the tips you need.

🎧Learn More about Nica and Carolyn

Published on January 25, 2025; last updated on January 19, 2025 by Nica Waters

How did Nica and Carolyn start podcasting together? Learn a little more about our back story here.

🎧 The Case for Having a 2×4 Onboard

Published on January 11, 2025; last updated on January 29, 2025 by Nica Waters

Not marine grade? Not a problem! 5 reasons we have generic 2×4 pieces aboard Calypso. 

🎧Hope Fleet

Published on December 28, 2024; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Hope Fleet offers cruisers a chance to help people in our cruising grounds. Learn more here.

🎧More Weather Considerations

Published on December 14, 2024; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Weather windows to the Bahamas in November of 2024 were challenging! Here are a few of our considerations for cruising in hurricane season.

🎧Fill ALL the Boat’s Tanks

Published on November 30, 2024; last updated on January 31, 2026 by Nica Waters

Setting off on a passage? beginning a cruise? Don’t forget to fill ALL the tanks before you leave.

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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

A pile of plastic, cardboard and cans, the kind of packaging waste to cut before it becomes trash on a boat

Reduce Trash On A Boat

June 21, 2026

Most of the trash that overwhelms a boat never needed to come aboard. Here are the changes that made the biggest difference for us.

How Do I Know If I’d Like Cruising?

June 19, 2026

The boats at anchor look so pretty. What would it be like to live on one? A dream or a nightmare? How to know if you’d like cruising and living on a boat.

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 deploy correctly.

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
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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.

$519  $199  SAVE 62%

See the All-Access Pass →

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