• 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

Hauling Out? How to Protect Yourself

Published on May 25, 2022; last updated on June 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Hauling your boat out to make repairs? Here’s how to protect yourself from regrets. All it takes is a plan.

🎧Three Tips for Rafting Up

Published on May 24, 2022; last updated on July 29, 2025 by Nica Waters

Good practices to consider when sharing an anchor

Lists, Lists, Lists

Published on May 18, 2022; last updated on March 3, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Even the most seasoned cruiser sometimes forgets stuff. How to avoid it? Checklists are the key. Here are two that might help you.

🎧Sandpaper 101

Published on May 17, 2022; last updated on July 29, 2023 by Nica Waters

Sandpaper basics to help you choose the right kind for the job.

How Do We Get Internet on the Boat?

Published on May 11, 2022; last updated on January 18, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Can you get enough internet to work from a boat? Sure, I do. Here are a few tips on how we make it work.

🎧In Praise of the Small Boat

Published on May 10, 2022; last updated on May 23, 2023 by Nica Waters

Big projects are doable (but still massive) on a small boat. I can’t imagine how overwhelming they’d be on a bigger vessel!

Tracking Down Leaks–The Easy Way

Published on May 4, 2022; last updated on June 21, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Ever need to track down a tiny leak on your boat? Sure you have. But it doesn’t have to be a horrible task if you use this clever little trick.

🎧Homemade Yogurt – A Few Tips!

Published on May 3, 2022; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Specific details and tips on making (and enjoying) homemade yogurt!

🎧Reminded of Our Mantra, Again

Published on April 26, 2022; last updated on May 23, 2023 by Nica Waters

When adding to the already large project actually seems like the right thing to do.

Route Planning – One Example

Published on April 20, 2022; last updated on January 18, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

When planning your route, you need to take several considerations. Here’s one example from the planning of one of our trips.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 46
  • Page 47
  • Page 48
  • Page 49
  • Page 50
  • 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