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.

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 29, 2021 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

Why Go Cruising?

Published on February 16, 2019; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Cory Nickerson

Why go cruising? It’s riskier than staying home. Here’s how one cruiser answers, eloquently explaining his reasons for heading to sea . . . to see the world. [More] Why Go Cruising?