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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧Unexpected Happenings

Published on December 4, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

A land base can be an encumberance of budget and worry. Do you have one before you go cruising?

A land base can be an encumberance of budget and worry. Do you have one before you go cruising?

🎧How To Rebed a Leaky Deck Prism

Published on November 27, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Ever wonder just how to deal with a leaky deck fitting? You can do it yourself! Read all about one such project here!

Leaks are a part of life on any boat. They’re not only annoying but can lead to bigger problems down the line. Rebed your deck fittings now!

🎧Calypso’s Budget & How We’ll Pay For It

Published on November 20, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Budget is always the big question. How did we determine ours, what it will include, and how we'll make it happen.

Budget is always the big question. How did we determine ours, what it will include, and how we’ll make it happen.

🎧3 Reasons I Love Varnish Day

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

Wondering why anyone would want to have a wooden mast? It's not just about the varnish!

Maintenance is a necessary chore. Finding side benefits makes it fun, even when it means hauling yourself up the mast each spring.

🎧Secret Life of About-to-Be-Cruisers

Published on November 6, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

How do you find a tribe of ready-to-go-cruising people when you're stuck on land for a while? Follow this link to learn more (and to realize you're not alone!) This has a link to read.

When you’ve got an exciting plan to take off cruising and you want to share it – but what happens when you can’t do that sharing in your land life? Where can you turn?

🎧 Boat Show Hangover

Published on October 30, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

It’s not the painkillers that make returning from the show so tough – it’s the different world you’re inhabiting. Learn why boat shows are worth it!

🎧Budgeting for Cruising

Published on October 23, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Everyone wants to know how much it costs to cruise; everyone out there has learned lessons that affect the budget. Here are some of Nica’s lessons!

🎧Calypso Guest Checklist

Published on October 21, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Guests invited aboard might hope they’re headed for a cruise ship – this welcome email helps them reality check their expectations.

🎧Preparing for Florence

Published on October 16, 2018; last updated on November 30, 2024 by Nica Waters

Hurricane preparation is part mental and part physical. Learn about how we dealt with both as we prepared our 28′ sailboat for Florence.

🎧Making the Bed on Board

Published on October 9, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

A v-berth is a great place to sleep. Making the bed up there look lovely is a whole other story

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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 & Podcasts

Easy Hack for Filling Boat Water Tanks

June 4, 2026

Do you fill your water tanks from 5-gallon containers – either jerry cans or purchased water? This easy hack for filling boat water tanks makes it simple.

Silhouettes of people watching the sunset - sunset traditions

Should I Go Cruising?

June 2, 2026

Should I go cruising on my own boat? here are seven important topics to consider in deciding if living on a boat is for you.

How to Avoid Bad Sailing Days

May 31, 2026

Had a trip from hell and wondering if this is really what you want to be doing for “fun?” Future trips will almost certainly be better – here’s why.

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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