• 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

🎧Why Does Weather Matter

Published on February 12, 2019; last updated on January 10, 2025 by Nica Waters

What's the big deal about weather? As a cruiser, it's critical information! Nica's story about an afternoon on the Chesapeake will help you see why.

What’s the big deal about weather? As a cruiser, it’s critical information! Nica’s story about an afternoon on the Chesapeake will help you see why.

🎧Why Work on Physical Fitness

Published on February 5, 2019; last updated on January 10, 2025 by Nica Waters

You might find yourself in tight spaces on board. Getting out of those takes strength and perspective. Learn why they're important for cruising!

You might find yourself in tight spaces on board. Getting out of those takes strength and perspective. Learn why they’re important for cruising!

🎧Fiberglass Work Basics

Published on January 29, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Glass fiber and some 2-part epoxy is a powerfully strong combination. Learn the 6 steps to fiberglass success!

Glass fiber and some 2-part epoxy is a powerfully strong combination. Learn the 6 steps to fiberglass success!

🎧The Ghost of Cruising Holidays Past

Published on January 22, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Trying to make holidays on board exactly like those at home is a recipe for disappointment. Learn what to do instead!

Trying to make holidays on board exactly like those at home is a recipe for disappointment. Learn what to do instead!

🎧Steps to a New Dinghy Plug

Published on January 15, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Replacing a dinghy plug is a great look at boat projects in general. They're not complicated but they can definitely be time-consuming.

Replacing a dinghy plug is a great look at boat projects in general. They’re not complicated but they can definitely be time-consuming.

🎧The Most Important Tool

Published on January 8, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

The most important tool on your boat isn't one that you can buy at the hardware store. Learn about boat tools - and which one you should never be without.

The most important tool on your boat isn’t one that you can buy at the hardware store. Learn about boat tools – and which one you should never be without.

🎧Thanksgiving – or, Start Downsizing!

Published on January 1, 2019; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Getting rid of stuff can be liberating - and difficult. Both feelings are part of the process, and both need attention.

Getting rid of stuff can be liberating – and difficult. Both feelings are part of the process, and both need attention.

🎧5 Reasons We Have Glass On Board

Published on December 25, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

The argument over glass on a boat is legendary. Nica is solidly in the YES camp, and she shares why (it's not just about the wine!)

The argument over glass on a boat is legendary. Nica is solidly in the YES camp, and she shares why (it’s not just about the wine!)

🎧Being Flexible About a Cruising Vacation

Published on December 18, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

A Panama Canal transit on a cruising boat? Sign me up! Learn about the need to stay open about vacation plans.

A Panama Canal transit on a cruising boat? Sign me up! Learn about the need to stay open about vacation plans.

🎧Let’s Talk Meal Planning

Published on December 11, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Meal planning can be important, but not as important as how flexible you can be when thinking about the food. Relax, ask questions, and eat well!

Meal planning can be important, but not as important as how flexible you can be when thinking about the food. Relax, ask questions, and eat well!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 29
  • Page 30
  • Page 31
  • Page 32
  • Page 33
  • 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

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
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