All Articles – Newest to Oldest

The Ditch Bag

Published on August 24, 2015; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Detailed list of gear for a coastal cruising ditch bag, including reasons for every item and links to buy and/or learn more.

Published on August 22, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

One simple thing is keeping our boat pest-free despite being in southern Florida.

Published on August 20, 2015; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

16 practical tips for filling in a thru-hull with fiberglass and epoxy. How to prepare the area, materials you need and how to clean up.

Published on August 15, 2015; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Have a solar light or fan that’s just not working well . . . or at all? Maybe the problem isn’t in the device, but in the battery.

Published on August 7, 2015; last updated on August 23, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Good PFDs (personal floatation devices) and tethers are expensive high tech gear. How to choose and set up a new PFD.

Published on August 4, 2015; last updated on June 20, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Planning meals isn’t the hard part for me — it’s remembering what I was planning so that I don’t waste food. I finally found a solution!

Published on August 3, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

You think of an ice pick as something used in the kitchen in days gone by . . . but it’s an essential tool on our boat!

Published on July 29, 2015; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

There are a lot of boat refrigerators out there. How’d we come to choose the one we did?

Published on July 28, 2015; last updated on August 11, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

It’s important to regularly check boat safety gear to ensure that it will work if you ever need it. Your life might depend on it!

Published on July 23, 2015; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Carolyn Shearlock

Tons of insight on all sorts of pre-cruising questions that everyone has from three very experienced cruisers.