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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Nica Waters

🎧Final Step for Any Project

Published on November 14, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

No boat project is really finished until you do this final step–testing your work.

🎧Rigging Considerations

Published on October 31, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Need to replace your standing rigging? Here are two questions to ask before contracting with a shop to do the work.

🎧The Best Boat Slippers

Published on October 24, 2023; last updated on January 31, 2026 by Nica Waters

What’s the most important feature of boat slippers? Here are one cruiser’s thoughts–along with her favorite pairs.

🎧Community Matters, Even in Boatyards

Published on October 17, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Price, facilities, convenience–all good things to consider in a boatyard. But what kind of community does it have?

🎧Focus on Favorites When Provisioning

Published on October 10, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

When provisioning in places where basics are always available, focus on your favorites. Here’s what that means.

🎧Cruising IS Real Life!

Published on October 3, 2023; last updated on September 27, 2023 by Nica Waters

Yes, cruising is real life. Here’s a glimpse into a day in the life.

🎧How to Get Your Ship’s Radio License

Published on September 26, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Need an international radio license? Here are the steps to get your MMSI number for your boat radio.

🎧Who is Happiness Engineer on Your Boat?

Published on September 19, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Every cruising boat needs someone in charge of morale. Meet the happiness engineer.

🎧Office Equipment on the Boat

Published on September 12, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Links: Calypso’s Onboard Printer (Amazon) Waterproof Container (Amazon) Sailing Totem  Annapolis Sailboat Show    Cruisers University   Salty Dawg Sailing Association   Nica email  Carolyn email  Prefer to read? Check out Onboard Office Equipment.

🎧Getting Your MMSI Number for the Radio

Published on September 5, 2023; last updated on November 30, 2025 by Nica Waters

VHF Radio

When you buy a new VHF you’ll need your MMSI number to set it up. What is it? And how do you get yours?

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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
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 →

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