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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

All Articles – Newest to Oldest

How to Get Help in an Emergency

Published on July 26, 2023; last updated on July 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Person hanging from helicopter - do you know how to get help in an emergency

If you live on a boat, how do you get help in an emergency? It depends on where you are and on what type of emergency.

🎧An Introduction to Nica Waters

Published on July 25, 2023; last updated on July 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

Been listening to the podcast and wondering about the cruiser behind one of the voices? Meet Nica Waters!

Customizing Pretty V-Berth Bedding

Published on July 22, 2023; last updated on February 27, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock/Michelle Riordan

Cozy boat berth with nautical bedding — tips for sleeping well on a boat

Get pretty v-berth bedding with some easy customizations. One cruiser shares how she did it. And you can too!

How to Quickly Defrost Your Boat Refrigerator

Published on July 20, 2023; last updated on January 2, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

A step-by-step guide of how to quickly defrost your boat refrigerator for improved refrigerator efficiency.

Joy, Terror, and the ICW

Published on July 19, 2023; last updated on July 19, 2023 by John Herlig

The ICW has challenges for every sailor–no matter how salty. Here’s how John Herlig experienced it his first time.

🎧How to Measure Your Anchor Rode

Published on July 18, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Setting a good anchor means you know how much to put out. Marking your rode is key. Here’s how to do it.

How to Keep Your Boat Bug-Free

Published on July 12, 2023; last updated on July 11, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Keeping your boat bug-free isn’t complicated. But it takes daily effort. Here’s what you need to do to avoid bug stowaways.

🎧Cruising Elizabeth City

Published on July 11, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Elizabeth City, on the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Route is well worth a visit. Here’s what we found when we landed.

Boat Mess

Published on July 6, 2023; last updated on July 4, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Boat mess is part of working on a project in a small space. There just isn’t room to neatly move stuff aside. A look at what happens.

Decision-Making While Cruising

Published on July 5, 2023; last updated on July 29, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Two men on a boat talking - decision-making

Decision-making on a cruising boat is challenging–unless you’re alone. We use these guidelines to help make it easier.

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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.

Living on a boat

There's no shortage of sailing and navigation courses. But who teaches you how to provision, store everything, stay cool, prep for hurricanes, and actually live on a boat? We do.

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11 courses covering every aspect of life afloat — from deciding if cruising is right for you, to moving aboard, provisioning, storage, tiny fridges, VHF radio, hurricane prep, cruising the Bahamas, boat dogs, and more.

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