
How do you react to problems? Can you come up with an immediate plan, but also be flexible? That’s what I’ve been thinking about lately.
Dave spent 20 days of last December in the hospital, the last stay being 12 days. (He says I shouldn’t talk about it so much, people read this for cruising tips. But it’s obviously taken over our lives . . . and has brought to mind many things I’ve learned cruising.) Eight units of red blood cells transfused. More than once, “fixing” one problem has created another.
Dave was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Day, but we had to stay in Miami for at least a week for follow-up to ensure that he was stable before we headed back to the boat. And the medical team is still working out long-term solutions to a combination of heart problems and GI bleeding.
This experience reminded me of some of the lessons I’ve learned while cruising:
- When serious problems arise, you absolutely MUST prioritize.
- Communication is critical so that everyone is pulling in the same direction.
- Time shrinks. When the situation is rapidly changing, your world is reduced to the here and now. Yes, you must think where you’re headed – literally and figuratively. But the target may change numerous times before you reach a “safe place.”
- Don’t get so caught up in the immediate problem that you miss other issues that may develop. “Whack-A-Mole” is real: one solution often creates another, unforeseen, problem.
- There may not be a perfect solution. Do the best you can based on what you know at the time.
- It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
That’s where the flexibility comes in. Constant reassessment of the situation. The need to pivot when new information comes in or something new happens.
We all hope never to have a major problem with the boat, such as a dismasting, knockdown, water intrusion, life-threatening medical emergency, fire, or other serious issue. You can think ahead to these types of situations, but the truth is that you can’t totally prepare. The reality is a lot messier than the scenario you envision. All you can do is stay flexible, keep a sharp eye out, and keep altering the plan as things change.
Be sure to subscribe to The Boat Galley newsletter to keep up with what we’re up to and get helpful tips and encouragement from the water.
Quickly find anchorages, services, bridges, and more with our topic-focused, easy-to-use waterproof guides. Covering the ICW, Bahamas, Florida, and Chesapeake.
Explore All Guides

Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Leave a Reply