Cruising & Chartering

Ahhh, living the dream! But what's it really like? What do I need to know?

Tips and skills to help you have a great time, whether it's on your own boat or a charter:

Chartering

Cruising Stories

International Cruising

Underway

Also check out my free and paid courses to help every step of the way.

The Future of AToNs

Published on March 3, 2021; last updated on March 2, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock/Dave Skolnick

New technology has brought many changes to navigation. Here’s how to make sense of AIS aids to navigation before you get into trouble. [More] The Future of AToNs

Don’t Save the Best for Last

Published on February 13, 2021; last updated on February 24, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock/Julie Bradley

Do you put off having the best for someday? It may not be the wisest choice for cruisers. [More] Don’t Save the Best for Last

How To Prepare A Boat For A Major Hurricane

Published on June 1, 2020; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to prepare your boat for a hurricane, with ten things you absolutely must do and why. Give your boat a fighting chance! [More] How To Prepare A Boat For A Major Hurricane

Dinghy Drift

Published on May 17, 2020; last updated on December 24, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

A dinghy drift or raft-up is a floating party — generally for happy hour and a gorgeous sunset, shared with friends. How to make it happen! [More] Dinghy Drift

Cruising When Older

Published on May 9, 2020; last updated on June 11, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Many people go cruising in their early retirement years, but can you keep cruising at 75+? What does it take? [More] Cruising When Older

Living on a Boat: What Do You Do All Day?

Published on March 12, 2020; last updated on June 11, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

What do you DO all day, living on a boat? Is it boring when you’re at anchor? Is it like chartering? Hour-by-hour summary of a day cruising the Bahamas. [More] Living on a Boat: What Do You Do All Day?

Route Planning to Cross the Gulf Stream

Published on March 8, 2020; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to plan the fastest Gulf Stream crossing in your boat; figuring your start and destination points, how far the stream will sweep you and tips for a fast crossing. [More] Route Planning to Cross the Gulf Stream

Gulf Stream Location, Speed and Counter-Currents

Published on February 8, 2020; last updated on December 27, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Planning a trip that involves the Gulf Stream? Don’t count on it being where your chart says it is. Here’s how to get the real location and speed, updated daily. [More] Gulf Stream Location, Speed and Counter-Currents

Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Published on March 2, 2019; last updated on June 30, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Read one cruiser’s harrowing story of abandoning their boat in a Gulf of Mexico Storm. What did they do right? And what do they wish they had done? [More] Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Bahamas Internet Options

Published on February 20, 2019; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

8 Bahamas internet options compared: wifi from businesses, international roaming, T-Mobile, BTC, Aliv, MyIslandWifi, Google Fi and Iridium GO! [More] Bahamas Internet Options