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The Boat Galley

making your boat life better

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Common Problems & Worries

Living on a boat isn't all palm trees and umbrella drinks.

Worried about fire, sinking, hurricanes . . . or being overrun by bugs?

Wondering what in the world you've gotten yourself into? It happens to us all. Find practical help and words of encouragement here!

Fire Aboard

Emergency Gear

Hurricane Prep

Bugs

Encouragement

Emergency Info

Published on September 6, 2018; last updated on August 23, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to provide the information needed for someone else to rescue your boat in an emergency. It costs less than $5 and only takes a couple hours to put together, but could save your boat some day. [More] Emergency Info

Cruising Stories: Brita Siepker

Published on July 4, 2018; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Brita Siepker

"We were totally unprepared to deal with the stress presented by cruising; we didn’t stock epoxy to fill broken hearts or spare battens to reinforce weakening bonds."

“We were totally unprepared to deal with the stress presented by cruising; we didn’t stock epoxy to fill broken hearts or spare battens to reinforce weakening bonds.” [More] Cruising Stories: Brita Siepker

"We were totally unprepared to deal with the stress presented by cruising; we didn’t stock epoxy to fill broken hearts or spare battens to reinforce weakening bonds."

Redundancy and Back-Up Systems

Published on May 28, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How do you decide what back-up systems and components you need on your boat. Here's the framework we use.

How do you decide what back-up systems and components you need on your boat. Here’s the framework we use. [More] Redundancy and Back-Up Systems

How do you decide what back-up systems and components you need on your boat. Here's the framework we use.

Safety Checks

Published on May 21, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

A chilling story from a reader brings home an important point: never assume your safety gear works. Check it. Frequently.

A chilling story from a reader brings home an important point: never assume your safety gear works. Check it. Frequently. [More] Safety Checks

A chilling story from a reader brings home an important point: never assume your safety gear works. Check it. Frequently.

Cruising & Friends

Published on April 9, 2018; last updated on August 31, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Making new friends, leaving friends behind. It can be tough on both ends. Eleven suggestions to make it easier. [More] Cruising & Friends

How Do You Learn What Works?

Published on February 5, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

There's a lot of trial and error on a boat and that's both good and bad as we're forced to learn new things.

There’s a lot of trial and error on a boat and that’s both good and bad as we’re forced to learn new things. [More] How Do You Learn What Works?

Cruising Stories: John Herlig | Ave del Mar

Published on December 27, 2017; last updated on October 17, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/John Herlig

"The highs are higher; the lows are lower." Here, John tells what one of those tough days was like and the lessons it taught.

“The highs are higher; the lows are lower.” Here, John tells what one of those tough days was like and the lessons it taught. [More] Cruising Stories: John Herlig | Ave del Mar

Hurricane Prep: Your Lines

Published on October 19, 2017; last updated on December 24, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

es are what will keep your boat in place during a hurricane, whether at a dock, on anchor or a mooring. How to choose the best ones for the job. [More] Hurricane Prep: Your Lines

Post-Hurricane Dangers in the Water

Published on September 25, 2017; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Hurricanes wreak damage in so many ways — not just immediately but in the clean up as well. Be careful and don’t compound the tragedy. [More] Post-Hurricane Dangers in the Water

Why Did Barefoot Gal Survive Irma?

Published on September 21, 2017; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How does one boat survive a Category 4 hurricane when most boats in the area don’t? There’s a certain amount of luck, but mostly it’s prep. Here’s how. [More] Why Did Barefoot Gal Survive Irma?

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Welcome

Carolyn Shearlock

Hi! I'm Carolyn Shearlock. My husband and I have been cruising over 14 years and 13,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and now 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!

      

Getting Started

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The Boat Galley can be overwhelming with over 1,200 articles. The Resource Center has four FREE mini-courses to guide you to just the info you need, whether you’re discovering what living on a boat would be like, preparing to cruise, overwhelmed with the first-year learning curve, or needing help with cooking aboard. Click here.

Latest Articles & Podcasts

Why You Need A Silicone Dish Mat

July 1, 2022 By Carolyn Shearlock

It contains water. And it handles hot pans. It’s the perfect galley accessory. [More] Why You Need A Silicone Dish Mat

What Does a Boat Watcher Do?

June 29, 2022 By Carolyn Shearlock

If you have to leave your boat, do you have a boat watcher keeping an eye on it? Or are you watching someone else’s boat for them? Here’s what you need to know. [More] What Does a Boat Watcher Do?

Homemade Granola

June 28, 2022 By Nica Waters

A quick granola recipe that’s fabulous for life afloat.
 [More] Homemade Granola

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