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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

All Articles – Newest to Oldest

🎧Preparation is Preparation

Published on August 4, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Some coronavirus questions are a good start to cruising questions, particularly around provisioning.

The First Year “Cruising” – One Cruiser’s Tale

Published on August 1, 2020; last updated on January 1, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock/Julie Tijerina

You buy your boat and refit it. You’re ready to cruise, right? One freshman cruiser tells what the first year cruising and learning curve is really like.

Hurricane Prep: Why Remove Jibs and Genoas

Published on July 31, 2020; last updated on January 15, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Why simply tying off your roller furling jib or genoa isn’t sufficient for a tropical storm or hurricane — pictures of the results.

🎧Real Life?

Published on July 28, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

In which I explain why I’m tired of hearing people tell me my life on the boat isn’t really real.

DIY Fuel Polishing

Published on July 26, 2020; last updated on January 3, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

If your boat has been sitting for a while, you may need to polish your fuel. Here’s how with suggested tools to make it easier to accomplish DIY fuel polishing.

🎧Deciding on Lithiums

Published on July 21, 2020; last updated on May 17, 2023 by Nica Waters

A brief overview of boat energy systems and how we settled on lithium batteries.

Galley Equipment Buying Guide

Published on July 16, 2020; last updated on March 11, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

13 important things to consider when buying anything for your galley – price isn’t the only consideration!

🎧Cruising for the Sandwich Generation

Published on July 14, 2020; last updated on May 28, 2023 by Nica Waters

Are we truly the sandwich generation? If so, is that a bad thing?

🎧Awesome Sailing Movie

Published on July 7, 2020; last updated on May 25, 2023 by Nica Waters

Finding a movie that keeps my attention is not easy. This one, featuring a sister ship to our own Calypso, definitely fits the bill!

🎧My New Wallet

Published on July 3, 2020; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

When we visited Totem in Panama, I didn’t expect to take home an art form as a way to carry around a credit card or cash.

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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

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