• 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

🎧Provisioning Lesson

Published on May 12, 2020; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Nica Waters

Stocking up with food can be expensive. Don’t be tempted to only buy in bulk.

Sailing in Your 70s: What It Really Takes to Go Cruising as You Age

Published on May 9, 2020; last updated on April 18, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

An older couple smiling on their sailboat, showing that sailing in your 70s is very much possible.

Wondering if you’re too old to start cruising, or too old to keep going? Here’s the honest answer from someone who did it.

🎧February 2020 Cruising Prep Expenses

Published on May 5, 2020; last updated on May 19, 2023 by Nica Waters

Tracking numbers (dollars and hours of time) as we get ready for our extended cruise. There is a lot that goes into preparation.

Reduce What’s In The Refrigerator

Published on May 3, 2020; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Condiment bottles organized in a small boat refrigerator door

Three ways to reduce what’s in the refrigerator — essential for living with a small refrigerator, whether in a boat, RV or off the grid.

🎧Delays Associated With Decision Creep

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

Make one decision about a boat project and a few others reveal their heads. Follow along with the realities of cruising prep!

Do You Need to Refrigerate Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?

Published on April 27, 2020; last updated on March 14, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Spreading mayonnaise onto a sandwich with a clean spoon — the key rule for keeping mayo unrefrigerated

One simple rule is all that stands between your mayo and a cupboard shelf. Here’s how it works.

🎧Life Questions From Heart Surgery

Published on April 21, 2020; last updated on May 23, 2023 by Nica Waters

Hospital whiteboard communication provided ample fodder for conversation and thinking.

🎧 The Sting of Doubt

Published on April 14, 2020; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

People who doubt you’ll achieve your dreams are downers.

Boat Cards

Published on April 7, 2020; last updated on March 9, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Boat cards are a quick way to exchange info without writing it out each time. They’re your calling cards. What should be on yours?

🎧Don’t Leave Out Any Projects

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

Car rides, conversations, and creating a daunting overview of what we’re doing to the boat.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 63
  • Page 64
  • Page 65
  • Page 66
  • Page 67
  • 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