• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • New? Start Here
  • Articles
    • WHAT IS CRUISING?
    • COULD I CRUISE?
    • GETTING READY TO GO
    • FIRST YEAR REALITY
    • Preparing to Cruise
    • Buying a Boat & Gear
    • Living on a Boat
    • Food & Cooking
    • Cruising & Chartering
    • Boat Work
    • Worries & Concerns
  • Cruising Guides
  • Courses
  • TBG on Amazon
    • Our Products on Amazon
    • Other Recommended Products on Amazon
  • Course Login
  • Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
    • Cruising Guides
    • Courses
    • Books & References

The Boat Galley

making boat life better

All Articles – Newest to Oldest

🎧 The Not-So-Dismal Swamp

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

Don’t pay attention to the name. The Dismal Swamp is better than the name. Here’s what you need to know.

Best Sheets for Boats

Published on June 28, 2023; last updated on February 10, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

V-berth bed on a boat - Sheets for boats

Buying sheets for boats can be a nightmare. Here are our suggestions to make this chore easier. And to help you sleep well onboard.

🎧Yummy Red Lentil Soup

Published on June 27, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

This delicious red lentil soup with curry flavor is great for when you’re busy. And it’s easily made from ingredients you already have in your pantry.

How to Avoid a Dinghy Disaster

Published on June 21, 2023; last updated on June 26, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Hand on dinghy tiller with kill switch to avoid dinghy disaster

How do you avoid dinghy disaster? Don’t wait to follow these tips to stay safe. They just might safe your life.

🎧In Medias Res 

Published on June 20, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

A northbound passage changes underway – learn about how we decided on the best stops and starts along the way.

A Project Bag for Boat Work

Published on June 17, 2023; last updated on June 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock/Julie Tijerina

How do you keep all the little pieces of a boat project in one place? Try a project bag. You won’t regret it.

Daily Checklist – A Boat Necessity

Published on June 14, 2023; last updated on June 26, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

A daily checklist–it keeps you organized on a boat. And it’s a necessity if you don’t want unhappy surprises.

🎧Different Passage, Different Takeaways 

Published on June 13, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

Lessons learned from a northbound passage from the Caribbean to the Chesapeake.

What Size Dinghy Outboard Engine Do You Need?

Published on June 7, 2023; last updated on March 9, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

outboard dinghy engine

What size dinghy outboard outboard engine is best for you? Here are a few pros and cons for every cruiser to consider.

🎧The Magic in Night Passages

Published on June 6, 2023; last updated on January 4, 2025 by Nica Waters

There’s a magic in taking the night watch. Here’s one story.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 36
  • Page 37
  • Page 38
  • Page 39
  • Page 40
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 152
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

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.

Master Life Aboard with
Our All-Access Pass

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.

$519  $199  SAVE 62%

See the All-Access Pass →

Prefer just one topic? Browse individual courses

About · Privacy · Terms of Service · Contact · © 2010–2026 The Boat Galley, LLC. All Rights Reserved.'
  • Questions? Click to Email Me
  • Visit Our Store