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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

All Articles – Newest to Oldest

How to Build Your Cruising Skill Set

Published on August 28, 2025; last updated on August 27, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Do you wonder how to build cruising skills? There are some great options out there. You can even start today.

Cleaning and Preventing the “ICW Mustache”

Published on August 26, 2025; last updated on August 20, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock/Mitchell Sharp

Boat with stain at waterline - ICW boat mustache

How do you go about cleaning and preventing the ICW Mustache on your cruising boat? Here are a few tips to clean your boat quickly.

How to Calculate Boat Power Requirements

Published on August 21, 2025; last updated on February 19, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

boats at anchor at night - calculate boat power needs

Do you know how to calculate boat power requirements? If not, your batteries may not be able to keep up. Here’s how to do it.

Redundancy in the Galley

Published on August 18, 2025; last updated on January 23, 2026 by Nica Waters

Sailboats in a marina at dawn - redundancy in the galley

Transcript for Podcast: Redundancy in the Galley, the ABC’s – If you follow, you’ll always have meals aboard.

Reasons for Going on a Boat Charter Vacation

Published on August 14, 2025; last updated on August 12, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Boats at anchor - charter vacation

Planning to charter boat vacation this winter? Wannabe cruisers can get their feet wet. Current cruisers can sail a new setting.

🎧 3 Key Factors for Departure Planning While Cruising

Published on August 9, 2025; last updated on July 28, 2025 by Nica Waters

Sailboat under cloudy skies

What are the key factors for departure planning when cruising? Hint: the time you’ll arrive at your destination is central.

How to Connect Boat Wires So They Don’t Fail

Published on August 7, 2025; last updated on June 9, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Crimping a screw connector when connecting boat wires

The little crimping and heat-shrink tricks that keep a boat’s wire connections from corroding or shaking loose.

Cruiser’s Memory Tool – A Log Book

Published on July 31, 2025; last updated on July 29, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

When you revisit a cruising destination, how do you remember the important details of an anchorage or inlet? A log book can help.

🎧How to Get a Long Stay Visa for French Polynesia

Published on July 26, 2025; last updated on May 27, 2026 by Nica Waters

Dark red stone figure against a back drop of palm trees - long stay visa for French Polynesia

If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long stay visa for French Polynesia. Here’s everything you need to know to apply.

Coast Guard Documentation, State Title, and State Registration for Boats

Published on July 24, 2025; last updated on May 25, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

US flag flying off the stern rail of a sailboat, signaling a US-documented vessel

Title, registration, documentation: three words boaters mix up constantly. Here’s what each one actually means for your boat.

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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.

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