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The Boat Galley

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Cruising Stories

"Cruising Stories" are little glimpses of the cruising life.

They're not how-to's or travelogues. They're emotional and raw, hitting both the beauty of this life and the tough times. Above all, they're real.

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

Published on August 1, 2020; last updated on June 1, 2021 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. [More] The First Year “Cruising” – One Cruiser’s Tale

Living on a Boat: What Do You Do All Day?

Published on March 12, 2020; last updated on June 11, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

What do you DO all day, living on a boat? Is it boring when you’re at anchor? Is it like chartering? Hour-by-hour summary of a day cruising the Bahamas. [More] Living on a Boat: What Do You Do All Day?

How To Move Onto A Boat (and live to tell about it)

Published on January 4, 2020; last updated on January 31, 2022 by Carolyn Shearlock/Pamela Douglas Webster

What is it really like to sell your house and all your stuff to move onto a boat? Here’s one cruiser’s story–including the very worst moments. [More] How To Move Onto A Boat (and live to tell about it)

Overwhelmed

Published on August 3, 2019; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Cory Nickerson

Do you ever wonder if you’re the only cruiser who feels overwhelmed? Everyone who lives on a boat feels it sometimes. Really. [More] Overwhelmed

A Clean Boat Means Less Stress

Published on June 8, 2019; last updated on April 13, 2022 by Carolyn Shearlock/Pamela Douglas Webster

Why do you need to keep your boat clean and tidy? Well to decrease stress, for one.

An emergency on the water taught me the importance of always keeping a clean boat. You never know when you’ll need to move in a hurry. [More] A Clean Boat Means Less Stress

An emergency on the water taught me the importance of always keeping a clean boat. You never know when you'll need to move in a hurry.

Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Published on March 2, 2019; last updated on June 29, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Read one cruiser’s harrowing story of abandoning their boat in a Gulf of Mexico Storm. What did they do right? And what do they wish they had done? [More] Abandoning Our Boat In Mexican Waters

Why Go Cruising?

Published on February 16, 2019; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Cory Nickerson

Why go cruising? It’s riskier than staying home. Here’s how one cruiser answers, eloquently explaining his reasons for heading to sea . . . to see the world. [More] Why Go Cruising?

The Financial Realities of Cruising

Published on November 7, 2018; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Megan Downey

What do you do when you run out of money in your cruising kitty? Megan Downey shares how the crew of s/v Clarity faced the financial realities of cruising.

What do you do when you run out of money in your cruising kitty? Megan Downey shares how the crew of s/v Clarity faced the financial realities of cruising. [More] The Financial Realities of Cruising

What do you do when you run out of money in your cruising kitty? Megan Downey shares how the crew of s/v Clarity faced the financial realities of cruising.

When Family Doesn’t Want You to Cruise

Published on September 17, 2018; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Elena on Kittiwake

How do you break the news to your family that you’re going cruising? Make them feel comfortable with your decision? Elena tells how she did it with her disapproving parents. [More] When Family Doesn’t Want You to Cruise

Cruising Stories: Working from a Boat

Published on August 29, 2018; last updated on May 9, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How feasible is it to support yourself by working while you cruise? What does it take to really do it? Elena from Kittiwake tells all! [More] Cruising Stories: Working from a Boat

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Welcome

Carolyn Shearlock

Hi! I'm Carolyn Shearlock. My husband and I have been cruising over 14 years and 13,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and now 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!

      

Getting Started

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The Boat Galley can be overwhelming with over 1,200 articles. The Resource Center has four FREE mini-courses to guide you to just the info you need, whether you’re discovering what living on a boat would be like, preparing to cruise, overwhelmed with the first-year learning curve, or needing help with cooking aboard. Click here.

Latest Articles & Podcasts

What Does a Boat Watcher Do?

June 29, 2022 By Carolyn Shearlock

If you have to leave your boat, do you have a boat watcher keeping an eye on it? Or are you watching someone else’s boat for them? Here’s what you need to know. [More] What Does a Boat Watcher Do?

Homemade Granola

June 28, 2022 By Nica Waters

A quick granola recipe that’s fabulous for life afloat.
 [More] Homemade Granola

Upgrading Your Fridge – What to Consider

June 24, 2022 By Carolyn Shearlock

Planning to upgrade or replace your boat fridge? Here’s what you need to consider to make the best choice.  [More] Upgrading Your Fridge – What to Consider

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